Clean pavers especially outdoors can enhance the beauty of your outdoors. As a homeowner, this shouldn’t be surprising to desire a stunning outdoor area that isn’t just esthetically pleasing but clean and functional as well. While pavers can provide you with better functionality and beauty, maintaining them is essential so they pristine their looks and functionality. However, homeowners often don’t take the cleaning routine of pavers seriously thinking that they are durable and low maintenance.
What you need to know is that even if they are low maintenance, you will need to spare time to clean them. This will keep them shining and prevent scratching and staining for years to come. In this post, we have included the best practices to clean your pavers. Continue reading the following for more ideas.
Guide On How To Clean Pavers!
If you want to clean pavers without spending much time then the following are the basic ways for how to clean pavers. This shouldn’t be a daunting and complex thing to do:
Basic Cleaning Steps for All Paver Types
Different pavers have different characteristics and have different cleaning requirements. However, these are the basics of cleaning every type of pavers.
1. Sweeping:
This is a very usual and good way to keep your pavers looking clean and nice. Sweeping and dusting often will stop dust, debris, and leaves from gathering on pavers which can make stains or help algae and moss grow. Use a simple broom with medium bristles to sweep the pavers. Use a leaf blower for a large area to save time and effort.
2. Rinsing:
Once you are done sweeping, use a garden hose to rinse any loose dirt and dust on the pavers. Usually, a gentle spray is enough to remove the dirt. However, you can use a spray nozzle to apply pressure if the dirt is president.
3. Use Of Mild Soap Solution:
For minor stains on the paver surface, a mix of mild detergents such as dish soap with water will perform better. Apply the solution and use a soft brush to scrub. Make sure that soap doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals or acids. This can lead to further damage, especially in natural stone pavers. After scrubbing, rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
These are the basic steps for general to mildly clean pavers. They can help maintain the paver surface and keep them in good condition. However, specific pavers may need special attention or products to keep them looking their best.
Cleaning Considerations for Specific Paver Types
Each paver types offer distinct features and qualities. To deal with them, there are some considerations for different paver types. These will help you not only clean the pavers
Natural Stone Pavers Cleaning
Natural stone pavers such as outdoor marble, sandstone, limestone, and travertine are very nice looking. These stones are famous because they have natural beauty and special patterns that make them attractive to many people. However, they come with a porous surface which is why they are sensitive towards moisture and chemicals.
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pH-Neutral Cleaners:
A pH-neutral cleaner is recommended to clean pavers. Products such as Deep Degreaser can be an ideal choice for natural stone surfaces. Any abrasive chemicals and acidic cleaners along with alkaline solutions can etch or discolor natural stone surfaces. This is particularly important for marble pavers as a small acidic substance can damage the surface.
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Soft Brushing:
Do not use any hard-bristle brushes, as they can scratch the stone surface. Always use a soft-bristle brush or sponge and scrub gently.
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Regular Sealing:
Most natural stone surfaces are porous. They can get damaged by water seeping in and causing cracks, mold, and mildew. Not only it can discolor the surface but damages the structure’s integrity as well. Sealers protect the stone from water absorption, stains, and wear. It also makes it easier to clean pavers in the long run. Depending on the application and paver type, resealing every one to two years is often recommended, especially for frequently used areas like patios.
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Special Stain Removal:
For stains like oil, and grease, use a cleaner specifically designed for natural stone. You can also consult a professional if the stain is extensive.
Read also our guide on How to clean limestone.
Cleaning The Porcelain Pavers
These pavers are low-maintenance because of their density and non-porous surface. This is why they are resistant to stains, fading, and mold growth.
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Minimal Soap and Water:
A simple water rinsing with mild soap is usually the best way to clean the porcelain pavers. They don’t require heavy Porcelain paver cleaner as they are resistant to most stain types and mold.
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Avoid Abrasives:
Just like any other paver type do not use any abrasive brushes or steel wool to clean pavers. It can make the surface look dull.
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No Sealing Required:
Porcelain pavers do not require any sealing as they are highly durable and resistant to damage, from foot traffic due to their robust nature making them an ideal choice for homeowners with budgets and time, for maintenance.
Read also our guide on How to clean porcelain pavers with muriatic acid.
Concrete Pavers Cleaning
Concrete pavers are also durable and thick but they are prone to staining and molding because of their porous surface.
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Power Washing:
Concrete can withstand gentle powerwash. If you see any deeper stains then you can use powerwash to wash the surface by setting it at low setting.
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Mild Cleaners:
Avoid using any abrasive and harsh cleaner to clean pavers. A pH-neutral cleaner is recommended to clean the surface. Harsh chemicals can degrade the surface and its color.
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Sealant Application:
Sealing the concrete pavers is a good idea. It can prevent water absorption and staining. Also, it will maintain the color and protect against freezing temperatures in colder climates. You should reseal it every 2-3 years depending on its usage.
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Efflorescence Treatment:
Concrete pavers sometimes get a white, powdery stuff called efflorescence. This is not harmful but can look bad. A specialized efflorescence cleaner will remove the residue without damaging the surface.
Brick Pavers Cleaning
Brick are durable and provide a rustic look. However, they can get stained due to their porous surface. To clean them you can:
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Gentle Cleaning:
Brick pavers are relatively soft so avoid cleaning them aggressively. Aggressive scrubbing or high-pressure washing can easily damage the surface. A soft brush and a mild soap solution work well for general cleaning.
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Algae and Moss Removal:
It is possible for brick pavers to develop moss and algae in shaded or moist areas. You can use a water and vinegar solution or a dedicated moss cleaner product for brick pavers which can effectively clear this growth without harming the brick.
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Sealing:
Brick pavers can absorb moisture because of their porous surface, Sealing can prevent this from happening and avoid staining especially in high traffic or shaded areas. Sealing will also deepen the color and reduce the chances of fading.
How To Remove Stubborn Stains and Specialized Cleaning
Now you will have an idea regarding how to clean pavers in general with some specific considerations. However, you may have to deal with some stubborn stains on pavers in high-traffic areas such as pools, patios, or outdoor kitchen and dining areas. If this is the case then here is how you can perform specialized cleaning and deal with stubborn stains.
Oil Stains:
They usually appear on the driveway pavers caused by oil spills from cars or grills. They can be tough to remove especially if you don’t take any step quickly. If they are on natural stone pavers then do not use a harsh degreaser. Products such as DEEP DEGREASER are effective for both porcelain and natural stone. However, if you don’t want to do it yourself then seek professional help. You can also opt for a mild degreaser for concrete and brick pavers. Read also our guide on how to clean oil stains from pavers.
Rust Stains:
Rust can occur from metal furniture or garden tools left on the pavers. You can use a commercial rust remover specifically designed for natural stone and porcelain such as Mar Gel Plus Rust Stain Remover. We found it safe and effective without any damage. To clean pavers of natural stone, make sure to avoid acidic chemical cleaners which can damage delegate surfaces like natural stones. Learn how to remove rust stains from porcelain pavers.
Moss, Mold, and Algae:
In humid climates or shaded areas, moss and algae growth is common. For all paver types, a water-and-vinegar solution can help, though you may need a commercial algae remover for more extensive growth.
Efflorescence:
It is a common occurrence on concrete and brick pavers. Use an efflorescence stone cleaner to address this white residue, and always follow up with a rinse.
Final Thoughts on Cleaning The Pavers
Cleaning pavers shouldn’t be harder even for beginners. In this post, we focused on providing you with the best and most common tips to clean pavers without putting too much effort. However, make sure to create a daily or weekly cleaning routine according to your paver types. This is the best way to prevent dirt accumulation and avoid staining if they are low-maintenance pavers. Follow this guide to clean pavers and don’t forget to do your research for a better cleaning experience.