Should you patch, resurface or replace your paving?
Patch when the problem is local, resurface when the paving is sound but looks worn, and replace when the surface is broken across large areas, the base has failed widely or the layout no longer suits the property. The decision comes from the cause of the problem, not just its appearance.
| Situation | Usual answer | Where to read more |
|---|---|---|
| A few sunken or rocking patches on otherwise sound paving | Local repair: lift, correct base, relay | Sunken paving repair site |
| Level paving that is faded, stained or dated in colour | Renovation without replacement | Surface renovation site |
| Broken units, failed base across most of the area, new layout wanted | Full replacement | This page |
For local sinking, the sister site's page on lifting and relaying sunken pavers is the place to start. For a level but tired surface, including stamped concrete, the page on renovating stamped concrete explains cleaning, crack filling and tinted resin. The guide to choosing a paving contractor also helps you judge whether a quote proposing full replacement is justified.
What happens when old paving is lifted?
The old surface is broken out or lifted, sorted where materials can be reused, and loaded for removal. The base underneath is then exposed and inspected, because its condition decides how much new sub-base is required. The amount of material to remove is estimated at the visit and confirmed once the surface is opened.
Old concrete slabs and bonded tiles are broken up with suitable tools and loaded into skips or trucks. Block paving and setts are lifted unit by unit, which allows sound pieces to be kept for reuse elsewhere on the property or relaid. Kerbs are assessed separately: sometimes they can stay, sometimes they are part of the problem. Protecting walls, doors, gates and planting during demolition is planned in advance, particularly on narrow side passages beside the house.
Once the surface is off, the existing base often tells the story of why the old paving failed: too little sub-base, soft spots, roots, service trenches that were never properly compacted, or water with nowhere to go. Those findings shape the new build-up and are shared with you in photos, which is especially helpful for owners who are not on site.
How is rubble from old paving handled legally?
Rubble from lifting paving is construction and demolition waste and must leave the site through an authorised route. Royal Decree 105/2008 and Law 7/2022 govern this waste, and Law 7/2022 treats rubble from minor domestic building and repair works as household waste under municipal responsibility.
In practice, that means waste is separated where possible, loaded into skips or vehicles and taken to an authorised facility or a municipal collection route, depending on the type and quantity. Typical European List of Waste codes when lifting paving include 17 01 01 for concrete, 17 01 07 for mixtures of concrete, bricks, tiles and ceramics without hazardous substances, and 17 05 04 for soil and stones other than those in 17 05 03. Waste removal appears as its own line in our quotes so you can see it is included.
- Concrete slabs and broken concrete pavers
- Mixed rubble from tiles, bricks and mortar beds
- Excavated soil and stone from deepening the base
- Reusable setts, slabs or blocks kept aside on site if the owner wishes
If a skip has to stand on the public road, the town hall may require a permit for occupying the public way; the ordinance of each town hall sets the conditions. Our guide to permits and rules collects the legal references for paving works, including waste and health and safety.
How is the new paving built after the old surface comes up?
After lifting, the base is corrected or rebuilt, edging is installed and the new paving is laid on a fresh bed. The process is the same as for new paving, with the advantage that the old surface has revealed exactly where the ground needs attention.
- Excavate soft or contaminated material and bring levels down to allow for the full new build-up.
- Compact the subgrade and rebuild the granular sub-base in compacted layers, with a bound layer if needed.
- Correct the falls so water is led away from the house towards drains or open ground.
- Set new kerbs or edging, or reset existing ones on concrete.
- Screed the laying bed and lay the new pavers in the agreed pattern.
- Joint, compact and clean the surface, then remove remaining waste from site.
Thresholds and drains need particular attention in replacement work. Old paving is often too high against doors or too low at gullies, and simply copying the old levels repeats the old problems. The guide to layers and base and guide to compaction and falls explain how levels are set. New materials are covered on our pages for concrete block paving, natural stone and clay pavers, and the base on our page on the concrete base for paving.
What should owners abroad and communities plan for?
Replacement creates noise, dust and vehicle movements for a period, so access, neighbours and storage of materials need to be agreed in advance. For communities of owners, the owners' meeting must approve work on common elements before it begins. A short written plan of the stages makes it easier to inform neighbours or the administrator.
If you are not in Spain during the work, it helps to nominate someone who can open gates and make small decisions, and to agree how photo updates will be sent. For a community, work on common elements needs a resolution under article 17 of the Horizontal Property Law; the exact majority for a given job is one for the community administrator to confirm. Health and safety on site follows Royal Decree 1627/1997, which sets minimum provisions for construction works with or without a project. The article on what to expect from visit to handover describes how a job is organised.
What makes paving replacement more or less expensive?
The amount and type of material to remove, the volume of waste, the depth of new base needed and the access for machinery are the main differences between a replacement and a new paving job. Thick old concrete and narrow access both add time and cost.
For reference figures, see block paving prices per square metre, the overview of what a quote includes and the paving cost calculator. The article on what a paving quote should include shows how demolition and waste should appear. Send us a photo and the approximate m² – free, no-obligation quote.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my paving needs replacing rather than repairing?
If sinking or damage is limited to a few areas and most units are intact, repair is usually enough. Replacement is justified when units are broken across the area, the base has failed widely, or you want a different material, layout or levels. An inspection identifies the cause.
Can old paving be reused in the new design?
Sound blocks, setts and slabs can often be lifted, cleaned and reused, either in the same area on a new base or elsewhere on the property, for example in paths or borders. Broken or badly worn units are discarded with the rest of the rubble.
Who is responsible for the rubble?
Rubble from lifting paving is construction and demolition waste. Spanish law, including Law 7/2022, treats rubble from minor domestic works as household waste under municipal responsibility. In our jobs, removal to an authorised route is included and shown as a separate line in the quote.
What waste codes apply to old paving?
Typical European List of Waste codes are 17 01 01 for concrete, 17 01 07 for mixtures of concrete, bricks, tiles and ceramics without hazardous substances, and 17 05 04 for soil and stones other than those in 17 05 03. The facility receiving the waste classifies it.
Can you lay new paving over the old surface to save cost?
Laying directly over old paving usually raises levels against doors and drains and leaves a failing base in place. In most cases the old surface is lifted. Exceptions are rare and only considered when the existing layer is sound, at a suitable level and drains properly.
Do I need a permit to replace my paving?
In Andalusia, many minor paving works fall under a responsible declaration under Law 7/2021 (LISTA), but each town hall's ordinance decides the procedure for each job. Work touching the public pavement or kerb needs separate municipal authorisation. Check with your town hall before work starts.
Will replacing paving damage my garden?
Demolition and deliveries need space, so planting next to the paved area is at some risk. Protection of beds, walls and gates is planned before work starts, and access routes for machinery are agreed with you. Delicate plants can be moved temporarily if necessary.
Can a stamped concrete drive be replaced with block paving?
Yes. The stamped concrete is broken out and removed, the base beneath is checked and corrected, and block paving is laid on a new bed. If the stamped concrete is sound and only looks worn, renovating it may be a less disruptive alternative.
What if pipes or cables are found under the old paving?
Services under old paving are common. When they are uncovered, they are protected and their position is recorded in photos. Where they cross the area in shallow trenches, the base is built so the backfill is compacted properly and does not settle later.
Can the work be done while I live in the house?
Usually yes, with some planning. Access to doors and the car may be limited for parts of the job, and noise and dust are unavoidable during demolition. We agree which entrances stay open and how the site will be left each evening.