Patio pavers are a great supplement to any house. They create a defined space and are durable. However, there are two sides to a coin. As much as they add to the elegance of a home, they can get very dirty.
Maintaining pavers may be a difficult task, but it’ll all be worth it when you’re having a fun barbecue night with your loved ones. So, pull up your socks and get your pavers ready for the long nights filled with chit-chat and laughter. Before we start, here’s a pro tip to remember – regular maintenance is key.
Here is how you can get rid of the dirt, debris, and mold and make your pavers look shiny and new again.
1. Pick Your Weapons Against Dirty Pavers
From power washing to basic cleaning solutions, there are many effective cleaning methods for pavers. Choose the one that works best for you.
- Power Washing
Power washing will help you break the layers of dirt and remove even the toughest of stains. Don’t have a pressure washer? The highest pressure setting on your hose nozzle would work fine too. You might have to clean a couple of areas multiple times to ensure that they’re clean, but it’ll do the trick.
Be sure to control the pressure to avoid damage to the pavers. You should also ensure that the stream doesn’t hit the pavers’ joints directly because it might dislocate them. After power washing, add a new layer of polymeric sand, and don’t forget to activate it by applying light mist.
- Dish Soap
Who would have guessed that your regular dish soap could clean pavers too? But it does work surprisingly well. Just mix the dish soap with some water, grab a sponge or rag and scrub all the stains away.
- Using a Broomstick
Sweep your patio at least once a week. It will remove dirt regularly and prevent stains that may catch on if they are left on the pavers for long.
- White Vinegar in Water Solution
First things first. Dark vinegar and white vinegar aren’t substitutable here. The former would stain your pavers, so it is best you stick to white vinegar only. Make a solution of white vinegar and water, let it sit on your pavers for an hour, and then scrub away the stains with soap and water solution. That’s a simple and natural way to have your pavers shining spotless.
2. Clear the Surroundings
If you keep your furniture on your patio, now would be the time to remove it. Place the items elsewhere and get ready for deep cleaning.
3. Get Rid of Weeds
The tiny unwanted greens around your pavers are more than just an unpleasant sight. They grow between the seams of your pavers and then go on to weaken the seams. Before they destroy your clean and shiny pavers, it is time you launch an attack on them. To keep your pavers safe, carefully pull the weeds out by hand. Going any harder would damage and loosen your pavers too.
You can also have anti-weed agents and herbicides sprayed/powdered along the seams.
As for moss, just use a stiff-bristled brush and scrub the pavers.
4. Wet the Patio with Water
Use your garden hose and wet down the entire space. Once that’s done, add some dish soap or a degreaser to a bucket of water.
Use a stiff brush, pour some water and soap and scrub the pavers. Don’t go overboard with the scrubbing or you might damage the pavers.
5. Rinse and Repeat
Once you’re done with scrubbing, rinse the pavers. If some areas require stronger cleaning, repeat the process with soap and water.
6. Seal The Pavers
If you have sand between your pavers, check if you need to add more. If some spots are broken or damaged, get them repaired.
After the cleaning and repairs, add sealant to your pavers. Sealants offer great protection against chipping. Ideally resealing should be done every couple of years.
Sealants will guard against stains as they add a thin but protective coat. Use a paintbrush to apply sealers.
However, remember to clean your pavers before using sealants. Because dirt and debris on pavers hamper the sealants from bonding and doing their job of protecting your pavers effectively.
7. Repair Grout Lines
The longevity of your pavers depends to a great degree on how clean you keep your patio. And if your patio is often used to host people and parties, re-grouting becomes necessary. Now re-grouting is simple. Just use a putty knife to apply grout where and when you need to. But the grout that’s good for your patio would leave stains on your pavers. So it is best to quickly remove excess grout from your pavers. A wire brush works great for removing the dried-up traces of grout. Grout-specific sealers are a great option for when your patio is always busy with people.
8. Replace Pavers
No matter how much effort you put into cleaning your pavers, you’ll have to bid some of them goodbye at some point. Bidding adieu to the damaged stones will enhance the elegance of your patio.
You don’t need to go through all of these steps to clean your patio pavers. Just use the ones that solve the problem you are battling with within the means available to you. Know the requirements of your pavers, and clean away. Happy barbecue-ing!