How to Keep Paver Steps from Sinking or Tilting

Sinking or tilting paver steps aren’t just an eyesore—they’re a safety hazard. Uneven steps can lead to trips, falls, and further landscape damage. At Razor Sharp Lawn and Landscape, we specialize in fixing and preventing paver step problems for homeowners in Hoschton and surrounding areas.

Whether your steps are already shifting or you want to make sure a new installation lasts, here’s what you need to know.

Why paver steps sink or tilt

When paver steps start to shift, tilt, or sink, the cause almost always lies beneath the surface. While they may appear solid from the outside, the hidden structure underneath plays a critical role in long-term stability. If that structure is compromised, problems are inevitable.

Here are the most common reasons paver steps fail—especially in Northeast Georgia’s unique soils and climate:

Improper base preparation

One of the leading causes of step movement is an inadequate base. Many installations are built on a foundation that’s too shallow or not properly compacted.

• • A base that’s less than 6 inches deep can’t handle freeze/thaw cycles or heavy foot traffic
  • Loose gravel or dirt allows steps to sink unevenly over time
  • Without mechanical compaction, voids can develop under the pavers, leading to cracking or collapse

At Razor Sharp Lawn and Landscape, we treat base preparation with the same care we apply to paver patios, retaining walls, and driveways, ensuring a strong, well-compacted foundation that holds up year after year.

Poor drainage around and beneath the steps

Standing water is a silent killer when it comes to hardscaping. Without a way to move moisture away, water will gradually erode the base or soften the surrounding soil.

• • Water that collects behind or under steps weakens the structure
  • Saturated clay soils expand and contract, disrupting the alignment of pavers
  • Without drainage features like French drains, gravel beds, or weep holes, the problem only worsens with time

Our step installations often include built-in drainage strategies borrowed from our landscape drainage and grading services, giving water a path to escape and protecting your investment long-term.

Tree roots and unstable soils

The natural movement of earth—especially with Georgia’s expansive clay soils—can wreak havoc on structures that aren’t built to flex or resist pressure.

• • Tree roots grow slowly but steadily, pushing pavers out of place from below
  • Clay-rich soils swell when wet and shrink when dry, causing shifting in any unreinforced step system
  • Sloped yards increase the lateral pressure against risers and treads

This is why we always evaluate site conditions before starting a project. If needed, we adjust our base depth, add reinforcement, or incorporate retaining blocks and grade control features as part of the design.

Missing or inadequate edge restraints

Edge restraints are what keep your pavers locked in place. Without them, movement is inevitable—especially on steps that experience both vertical and horizontal pressure.

• • On sloped or curved installations, unrestrained pavers can "creep" outward
  • Without support at the risers, individual step units can tilt or settle unevenly
  • Over time, what starts as a small gap can become a tripping hazard or structural failure

At Razor Sharp Lawn and Landscape, we always include edge containment, riser supports, and even concrete bond beams when needed—borrowing best practices from our work with multi-level hardscaping projects and outdoor living spaces.

How to prevent paver step problems

At Razor Sharp Lawn and Landscape, we don’t believe in quick fixes or shortcuts—especially when it comes to structural features like paver steps. We build outdoor steps that are durable, safe, and designed to handle the realities of Georgia’s clay-heavy, erosion-prone terrain.

Our installation process is based on years of hands-on experience in hardscaping and drainage solutions. We don’t just lay pavers—we engineer long-lasting results by integrating core principles from our work with retaining walls, outdoor kitchens, and landscape grading. Here's how we prevent your steps from shifting, sinking, or tilting.

1. Excavation and base depth

The foundation of your steps determines how long they’ll last. We go far deeper than the average contractor to ensure long-term stability.

• • • We excavate 6–10 inches, adjusted for slope, soil type, and surrounding structures
    • The base is built with compacted crushed stone, not loose dirt or sand
    • We plan proper surface drainage, so water never settles under the steps

This is the same approach we use when building paver patios and paver walkways, and it’s one of the most critical factors in preventing settling or failure.

2. Drainage layer and soil separation

Georgia soils are known for poor drainage. Without proper water management, even a perfect installation will shift over time. That’s why we take proactive steps to control moisture.

• • • We install geotextile fabric to keep soil from mixing with gravel
    • Clean angular gravel is layered behind and beneath the steps to create a drainage zone
    • In areas prone to runoff or saturation, we add French drains, dry wells, or tie-ins to existing yard drainage systems

If you're experiencing general landscape drainage issues, we can often integrate step solutions with larger fixes like swales, catch basins, or grading corrections.

3. Interlocking paver systems

We only install step systems using pavers designed for heavy use and proper fit.

• • • Each tread and riser is carefully aligned for consistent rise and run, avoiding code violations and trip hazards
    • We use retaining wall units or poured bond beams to support steps and hold them in place
    • Clients can choose from a range of Techo-Bloc, Belgard, or Unilock styles that match their existing patios, firepits, or driveways

When steps are integrated into larger hardscape features—like an outdoor living space or poolside patio—we plan the entire layout together for long-term harmony and durability.

4. Edge restraints and riser support

Even the best pavers will shift if they aren’t properly restrained. That’s why we reinforce every step structure with high-quality edge systems.

• • • Plastic or aluminum edge restraints hold horizontal pavers in place
    • Riser blocks, retaining wall units, or poured footings are used for vertical support
    • Where needed, we use specialized adhesives or concrete mortar to bind critical joints and resist shifting

This detail work is part of what separates Razor Sharp Lawn and Landscape from less experienced contractors—and it’s the same care we put into building retaining walls, garden beds, and other tiered structures.

5. Seasonal inspection and touch-ups

Even well-built paver steps can benefit from occasional care. That’s why we offer maintenance services that keep your steps safe and attractive for years.

• • • We perform re-leveling if minor settling occurs
    • Replace or top-up polymeric joint sand as needed to block weed growth and water intrusion
    • Inspect surrounding landscape drainage to prevent washouts or soil creep

If your steps are part of a larger landscape installation, we can schedule regular tune-ups alongside your mulch refresh, planting updates, or sod maintenance.

A case we see often in Hoschton

A client in Hoschton contacted us after their paver steps began to tilt downhill just two years after installation. The issue? The previous installer had placed the steps directly on compacted dirt with no gravel or geotextile barrier. We removed the failing steps, excavated the area properly, added a gravel base with drainage, and rebuilt the stairs using Belgard pavers. Two years later, they’re still perfectly level—and the client now calls us for every landscape project.

Proudly serving Northeast Georgia

We install and repair paver steps, walkways, patios, and more in:

• • Hoschton
  • Braselton
  • Gainesville
  • Flowery Branch
  • Winder
  • Jefferson
  • Dacula
  • Buford
  • Commerce
  • Oakwood

Wherever you're located in the Northeast Georgia area, we bring dependable craftsmanship and expert care to every project.

Make sure your steps are built to last

Don’t settle for unsafe or sloppy paver steps. At Razor Sharp Lawn and Landscape, we build outdoor steps that are both beautiful and built on a solid foundation.

Call us today or request an estimate online to learn more about our paver installation and repair services in the Hoschton area. Let’s build something that lasts.