Drag the handle to compare · Saint Paul, MN · 2022
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Project spotlight Saint Paul, MN Patio relevel & relay · 2022 |
Save the tree. Save the patio. Saint Paul, MN
← Back to all projectsA tree Tim loved. A patio worth saving.
Years ago Tim built himself a small patio in the corner of his Saint Paul lot — a nice sitting area tucked next to a tree he loved. Over time, the tree did what trees do: it grew. And as it grew, the roots pushed up underneath the pavers, lifting and shifting them until the patio was too uneven to use comfortably.
He didn't want to remove the tree. He didn't want to damage the roots any more than absolutely necessary. He just wanted his sitting spot back. That's a problem worth solving carefully.
The timber border he'd originally installed was still in solid shape — a lucky break that opened up a clean solution. By adding a second row of timbers on top of the existing border, we raised the patio surface 5.5 inches, giving us room to fill and compact fresh Class 5 aggregate and relay all the original pavers on top. Tree roots stayed largely undisturbed. The patio came back level. Tim made it to his sitting spot before the season ended.
Work with the tree. Not against it.
The easy answer would have been to cut the roots and reset the base. The right answer was to find a solution that didn't require it. Tim's timber border was the key — still structurally sound, just no longer at the right height.
By adding a second row of timber on top of the existing border, we raised the entire patio surface 5.5 inches. That gave us the clearance to fill the area with fresh Class 5 aggregate, compact it properly, and relay every original paver back where it belonged — flat, level, and stable.
The tree didn't lose a single root it didn't need to lose. The patio came back better than it was. And Jacob made it to the Tim McGraw and Midland concert at the Grandstand that night with time to spare.
Saint Paul, MN · 2022
Three steps. Same day.
Patio repair questions we hear often
Can a patio damaged by tree roots be repaired without removing the tree?
Yes — in many cases a tree-root-damaged patio can be repaired while leaving the roots largely undisturbed. The key is finding a solution that accommodates the new root level rather than fighting it. In this Saint Paul project, Heritage Outdoors added a second timber border row, raising the patio surface 5.5 inches, then filled and compacted fresh Class 5 aggregate and relaid the original pavers on top — all without damaging the tree roots.
How much does it cost to relevel and relay a patio in Minnesota?
Patio relevel and relay projects in Minnesota typically cost $1,500–$5,000 depending on patio size, base preparation needed, and whether the border needs modification. Simple relay jobs on small patios can be very affordable — especially when the original pavers are in good condition and can be reused. Heritage Outdoors provides free on-site estimates — call 651-219-3668.
Do tree roots always destroy a patio?
Not necessarily — but they will eventually lift and shift pavers if the patio was installed without enough clearance for root growth. The good news is that a root-damaged patio is usually repairable without removing the tree. The approach depends on how much the roots have grown and the condition of the existing border and pavers.
Do you repair patios in Saint Paul MN?
Yes — Heritage Outdoors serves Saint Paul and the entire Twin Cities metro for patio repair, relevel, and relay projects. Call or text 651-219-3668 for a free estimate.
Got a patio that's seen better days?
Not every damaged patio needs a full replacement. Tell us what's going on and we'll give you an honest assessment of what it actually needs.