How to Maintain Your Pavers?

Unsealed interlocking pavers are susceptible to staining, chipping and growth of creepers through the cracks and edges. Although pavers require minimum maintenance, regularly cleaning of the pavers and occasionally sealing them is necessary to preserve the well-tended look of your pristine patio or driveway. Sealing pavers is quite easy, considering that a lot of good quality acrylic based sealants are available in the market.

It is important to identify the material of the pavers, whether it is clay, concrete or stone because scrubbing material depend on it. To clean pavers, you can use a scrubbing brush and water with a little amount of regular household detergent. Let the solution sit for fifteen minutes before scrubbing off with a broom. Sealing pavers immediately after installation decreases chances of getting displaced or disfigured. The pavers set in sand move and adjust, so in case a piece of pavers is chipped off in the process, immediately replace it. So keeping a few extra pavers in stock is a good idea, in case the particular design suddenly goes off the market. You don’t want to ruin a perfectly symmetrical patio with one mismatched paver.

If the pavers are laid on sand, check them annually to see if the pieces have sunk. Brush in sand in the space in between them, if necessary. The sand in the joints should be half as high as the level of the pavers. Sealing concrete in between prevents this problem.

Cleaning pavers should not be put off. The surfaces of the pavers are porous and quickly absorb oil; the longer the oil remains, the deeper it sets making the stain permanent. Get oil removers from a local hardware store, but make sure it is not acidic. Acidic chemicals can react with the salt of the pavers and damage it.

Weeds growing in the pavers are a nuisance, especially when they force cracks through the tiles themselves! Sealing pavers mostly avoid this, but sometimes if the weeds are not plucked for a long time, they can be dislodged from their slots. Apply a weed-killer to get good results. If the pavers are not matt finish applying a stone polish can prevent weeds from growing profusely, along with providing protection. If you really want some greenery in between your pavers, scatter short rooting grass or herb seeds evenly along the joints.

It is advised to lay pavers in the sun. If your pavers don’t get enough sunlight, there would be a chance of them getting infested with moss. This not only degrades the appearance of the pavers, but also decreases their durability. Sealing pavers can prevents algae growth.

Another problem often springs up due to the salt present in most of the pavers; efflorescence. This is a white chalky residue that forms on the surface of the pavers in contact with water or on its own. This can be cleaned using concentrated cleaners. Sealing pavers minimizes formation of the residue. Pavers, being regularly treaded on, must be cleaned and polished to keep them intact for a long time.