You decided to invest in a paver patio or paver driveway, and you absolutely love it. Now, you want to make sure you protect that investment and keep your paver project looking new. When you understand what goes into the maintenance of pavers, you can do just that.
In this article, we’ll explain what it takes to clean, seal, and maintain your pavers.
Pavers are Naturally Low-Maintenance
Homeowners like yourself embrace paver projects because they are naturally low-maintenance. They tend to last for decades and require little effort from you. While patio pavers and driveway pavers don’t need a lot of maintenance, they are not maintenance-free.
The good news is you can maintain and clean pavers relatively easily.
Keep Your Pavers Free of Dirt and Debris
When it comes to the maintenance of pavers, a basic technique is to keep them free of dirt and debris. Whether you are tracking dirt from the yard or mowing results in grass clippings getting on your pavers, there is an easy solution: Sweep everything away with a bristled broom. By removing the dirt and debris, your pavers will retain their luster longer.
If you sweep your paver patio and driveway, and you want it to look even better feel free to wash the pavers with clean water. You can use some soapy water, but be sure to rinse thoroughly your pavers. A simple garden hose will do the trick.
This is the easiest method to restore your pavers to their original look or very close to it.
Pressure Wash Your Pavers Every Year or Two
Sometimes, cleaning your pavers proves to be more difficult. You might have grease and oil stains, or perhaps your yard experienced moss growth. In these instances, you will need something more than a broom and water hose. You might want to use a power washer.
If you want to give your paver patio, driveway, outdoor living room, or outdoor kitchen that deeper clean it needs, pressure washing can be a good idea. However, you will need to use a pressure washer with care.
If you decide to clean the pavers yourself, use a lower pressure setting to protect your pavers.
At Savon Pavers, we use state-of-the-art pressure washers to keep your pavers looking like new year after year. The Hotsy Hot Water Pressure Washer does the job quickly and efficiently.
This piece of equipment is environmentally friendly. It heats the water to help break up caked-on dirt, and it uses less water per minute than what your garden hose uses. Because of our dry weather and water issues in the Greater San Diego area, finding an alternative that consumes less water is preferable.
The hot wash ensures that your patio is not only clean looking but also sanitary protecting you and your family from potential germs that could be tracked inside.
Maintenance Tips for Different Types of Pavers
- Brick or clay pavers: Bricks make a beautiful choice for pavers, but as time passes, you will begin to notice a chalky, dusty substance developing on them. If you like the rustic look, then don’t worry. If not, you can wash it with an environmentally friendly detergent. Be sure to scrub them with a firm, stiff brush, and they will look as good as new.
- Stone pavers: While natural stone pavers will beautify your outdoor living area, they are unlike manufactured pavers because of their uneven surfaces. Dirt and grime can easily collect. It might take a little more elbow grease to clean them (unless you want to use a pressure washer).
- Concrete pavers: If you have concrete pavers (which are different from poured concrete driveways, patios, and walkways), use a mild detergent to keep them clean. Do not use brushes with wire bristles because they will scratch the surface. You might not want to use a power washer, either. It could damage the seal or finish of your pavers.
How Often Should You Clean Your Pavers
For the easier stuff, like dirt, debris, grass clippings, leaves, and twigs, you should routinely clean it, especially if you plan on entertaining guests in your outdoor space. You want your outdoor living room or kitchen to look nice and inviting.
For the deeper clean with a power washer, you can do it every year or two, depending upon the buildup.
Should You Use a Paver Sealer When Maintaining Your Pavers?
A sealer will help add to the useful life of your pavers, so it is a good idea. Belgard Pavers, one of the manufacturers we use, recommends using a paver sealer every three to five years, and they advise not to apply a sealer more than once in a three-year period.
If you apply a sealer too often, then the surface can develop a film, which might lead to discoloration in the sunlight.
Other Ways to Maintain Your Pavers
Keeping your pavers, paver patio and paver driveway clean is important, but there are other ways to maintain them.
Keep the Joint Sand Filled
Joint sand is an important component in the installation of interlocking pavers. This sand, sometimes referred to as polymeric sand, is used between each paver stone to help hold them together.
Keep your eye on the jointing sand and fill it in as needed. This will maintain the integrity of the bedding sand beneath the pavers.
Replace Cracked or Broken Pavers
Pavers are popular because they are low-maintenance. However, a paver might get cracked or become broken. At Savon Pavers, we have a 10-year guarantee on our installation work, and if you run into a paver with a break or crack, call us. We’ll fix it at no charge.
With a paver project, it is easier to replace only those damaged pavers. This is not the case with poured concrete driveways, patios, or walkways. The damaged area needs to be ripped out, and it is difficult to have the color of the new concrete match because of curing and weathering.
Need Help with Maintaining Your Pavers or Have More Questions?
Let us know if we can be of any help. If you are considering a new paver project because they require little maintenance while providing maximum curb appeal, give us a call. We’ll work up a free estimate and provide you with a free 3D drawing of the design our creative team comes up with. Reach out today.
