Keeping Pavers Pretty And Clean

Pavers can add a distinctive look to your home's hardscaping, and accentuate your home's landscaping- that is, if they're well-maintained! But what's the best way to keep your pavers pretty and clean year-round without expending a lot of stress and time? It turns out that paver cleaning and maintenance is pretty simple if you follow a few simple steps.

1. Sweep It Clean

We recommend you sweep your pavers off once every 1-2 weeks or after it's been exposed to a lot of mess (storms, visitors, parties, etc). Keep a good outdoor broom nearby for the job- or, if you prefer, you can use a leaf blower to get leaves, dirt, sand, and debris off of your pavers!

2. Stay On Top Of Sealing

We recommend that property owners get their pavers sealcoated once every 2-3 years to protect them from moisture, mess, and stains. You can even get special seal coats that can slightly alter the look and texture of your pavers to your aesthetic preference if you like.

3. Get Rid Of Moss/Weeds And Fill Those Joints

Moss, grass, and weeds love to grow in the cracks and joints between your pavers. You should always try to remove these growths as soon as you spot them, and treat the area with weed killer to keep them from coming back. When the joints in your pavers are well-filled, it's harder for plants to take root. Make sure those joints are fully filled with an appropriate substance like epoxy or sand. Take care to replace the filling if you lose any over time!

4. Soft Wash- Don't Power Wash!

You should try to get rid of stains as soon as possible, and some surface stains can be removed via scrubbing. However, in cases when stains have had time to sink in, or if it's been a long time since your pavers were last washed, it may be time to incorporate a bit of pressure cleaning to get the job done.

Of course, the way you go about it is crucial. People often make the mistake of pressure washing their pavers, but standard pressure washing really isn't the ideal approach for this job. Power washing can strip away sealcoating, wash away sand joint fillers, and can even be abrasive to the pavers themselves. For paver cleaning, we instead recommend low-PSI soft washing to gently introduce cleaning products (for most stains and general cleaning, we recommend a biodegradable all-purpose cleaner like Simple Green) and gently rinse mess and grime away!

When you take care of your pavers, you can maximize their beauty and continue to enjoy them for many years to come. And if you prefer to leave your paver cleaning to the pros, Stinson’s Power Washing would be glad to help! Just call us at 864-804-2585 for a free, no-obligation quote today!