The Closet Staple That'll Make Removing Patio Pavers A Breeze

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If you've been itching to try a new DIY patio paver project but need to get rid of existing pavers, you might think you're in over your head. Close-packed stones are difficult to pull up by hand, after all, and those that have been in the same place for a while might be stuck. However, if you have a wire hanger, there's a simple hack you can try that'll make things easier.

Start by cutting two pieces of wire, roughly eight inches each, from your hanger. You may need to unbend it to get a long enough piece, or cut each piece from a different hanger. Next, bend the wire so the bottom inch is at a right angle. This section will slide under the paver to lift it up. You can also make this homemade pry bar easier to use by bending the top several inches into a handle.

If the pavers were set in place with jointing sand or polymeric sand, you may need to remove it from the joints before pulling up your patio. Pressure wash it with hot water to loosen the material, then scrape it out. Once that's removed, slide your wires into the gaps between the stones, twist them so the flat ends are underneath it, and pull. You may need to wiggle them up and down the paver to loosen it first. After you've finished that, you can even recycle the rest of your wire hangers into a hanging planter bracket.

If your closet isn't full of plastic hangers, there are other options for removing the pavers. You need an object that is thin enough to slide between the stones, but sturdy enough not to bend or break. Look in your toolbox for a flathead screwdriver, or pull your handy trowel out of your garden shed. If you're an artist, you may have a palette knife or a putty knife, which will also work. You can try using a butter knife, but avoid using other kitchen knives, as you could slip and cut yourself. These options can fit between many pavers, but might not be able to slide underneath the paver like the hanger hack does. You'll need to wiggle the tools to loosen it, then angle them to leverage the paver up.

There are also paver extractor tools at many hardware stores, which are efficient and easy to use. The trade-off for these is cost, as a professional tool is more expensive than grabbing a hanger from your closet. However, there are cheaper options available at Amazon, such as JVNZAM's Paver Removal Tools. Now that your old patio is removed, you can have fun with your space and find the perfect paver project for you, such as building a new rounded paver patio.