How to Clean Pavers
As time passes by, you may notice your pavers looking dirty and old. Neglecting to clean pavers can cause them to deteriorate over time, leading to costly replacements in the future. That's why we're teaching you how to clean pavers so you can maintain them regularly and save money.
How to Clean Pavers
To clean pavers regularly, all you need to do is clear the space, sweep the area, and remove weeds and moss. You also have to wet the pavers before scrubbing them with a mild cleaning solution. After rinsing the pavers with water, re-sand them and re-apply sealant.
You can even apply a homemade cleaning solution or use a pressure washer, depending on the dirt on the pavers. However, here's a simple way on how you can clean pavers.
Depending on how much you're using the area, you can do this sweep and rinse method twice a year. You can even schedule it as part of your spring cleaning tasks.
Clear the Space for Sweeping
One of the best things about pavers is that they are relatively easy to clean. The first step is to remove plants, furniture, vehicles, or other objects sitting on top of your entryway or driveway pavers.
After that, use a push broom or hard brush to sweep the whole paver section.
Remove Moss and Weeds
You can continue using a brush broom or switch to a stiff-bristled brush to clear weed and moss growth.
If it's too hard to pull the weeds, pour an anti-weed agent, powdered herbicides, or vegetation killer. However, you have to wait for at least 14 days before cleaning the pavers.
Wet the Pavers
Spray water using a regular garden hose or pour water from buckets, whichever is more convenient for you.
The important thing is to wet the area thoroughly to prevent the pavers from soaking up cleansers and forming murky waters.
Apply a Mild Cleaning Solution
Fill up a gallon-sized bucket with water, then add 16 ounces of mild detergent. Mix the water and detergent thoroughly.
If you don't have enough soap, you can also combine equal parts vinegar and water. After that, pour your homemade cleaning solution onto the paver area.
Scrub the Pavers
Brick back your broom or brush to scrub the cleaning solution into the pavers. Avoid using scouring pads or wire-bristle brushes as these materials can scratch pavers and damage sealants.
Do this until you loosen dirt, stains, or debris. Scrub in rows to avoid wearing out a single section.
Rinse With Water
After brushing the pavers, rinse the area until you remove all soap or detergent. Rinse with water using a garden hose or buckets of water. You can continue using a brush to rinse off quickly.
Re-Sand the Pavers
Sand that washes away over the year makes pavers prone to damage and dirt. After drying out the pavers, pour regular sand or polymeric sand for a touch-up.
Sweep the sand all over until you achieve even coverage. Apply mist-like pressure over the pavers to help the sand settle in between the joints.
Reseal the Pavers
Resealing is also a crucial part of learning how to clean pavers because a sealant acts as a protective layer against UV rays and stains. It stabilizes paver joints to keep the sand between the pavers.
You can use a brush or a pump-up sprayer to apply at least 2 coats of sealer. Work in small sections at a time and allow dry time in between layers.
Use Pressure Washing to Clean Pavers
American homeowners spend an average of $300,000 on constructing a house, which still excludes the cost of land. As you spend your hard-earned money and savings, it's essential that you know how to take care of your property.
Even when cleaning pavers regularly, some portions would collect grime and dirt over the years. If you have heavily stained entryways or mildewed outdoor living space, you may consider cleaning pavers using a pressure washer.
Sweep: Remove plants, furniture, and other objects from the pavers. Use a stiff brush to get rid of visible debris and dirt.
Remove weeds: Manually pull weeds growing along joints or cracks. You can also pretreat the area by applying herbicide then using a pressure washer along the joints.
Saturate the pavers: Rinse the pavers and make sure to wet every section.
Apply cleaning solution: Pour or spray cleaning solution. You can have liquid detergent if the pavers are not too dirty, whereas a degreaser is more suitable for oily or greasy pavers.
Attach the appropriate nozzle and settings: Use a 25-degree or 15-degree nozzle attachment to remove tough grime. You can also attach a rotating nozzle to work with cake-in dirt. To ensure great power in eliminating tough stains, use a pressure washer with a 2,500 to 3,000 pounds per square inch (PSI) capacity.
Spray away: Keep the nozzle at a distance from the pavers, usually about 6 to 8 inches. Avoid pointing the nozzle directly down the pavers as this may damage the materials. Instead, spray in overlapping rows, so you don't miss a spot.
Rinse: Continue using a pressure cleaner to rinse the pavers. Another option is to switch to a regular garden hose. Rinse until you don't see any cleaning solution left.
With our ICPI certification, you can rest assured that our installation process can stand the test of time. The pavers can withstand deep cleaning, including the toughness of pressure washing.
Why You Should Clean Pavers Regularly?
When pavers are continuously damp, it becomes easier for moss and weeds to grow. The moisture traps dirt, oil, and debris from foot traffic, outdoor cooking, and weather.
We suggest preparing at least 1% of your house's current market value for yearly home maintenance expenses. For example, for a $360,000 home, set aside $300 per month or $3,600 annually.
To ensure you won't go over your budget, it's essential to clean pavers to help pool decks, patios, or driveways remain durable and safe for use. It's less time-consuming and budget-friendly to do regular maintenance rather than restoring or replacing pavers all the time.
Conclusion
The simplest way to clean pavers is to sweep, scrub, re-sand, and reseal the area. Even if you don’t have a power washer, you can also use a mild cleaning solution, water, and vinegar, to effectively clean your pavers. Whichever you choose, make sure that your cleaning method won't discolor or damage the paver materials.