As mentioned earlier, it is very easy to restore the color to brick pavers. Wet-look sealers are highly recommended because they help restore some of the original colors and prevent future fading, but without changing an existing color.
Try Concrete Stain
The simplest path to reviving tired pavers is to apply an acrylic-based semitransparent concrete stain, such as Behr Premium Semi-transparent Concrete Stain ($27/gal.; Home Depot) or Valspar Semi-transparent Concrete Stain ($28/gal.; Lowe's).
Staining concrete pavers can be an excellent choice. Whether you're aiming for a complete color transformation or a simple refurbishment, there are several methods and products at your disposal to achieve the perfect finish.
The colors of the pavers turn white and fade away as they age because the colors were dyed into them and are not natural. This occurs especially in sunny areas and pavers directly under the sun tend to lose their color faster than those that are not.
CLEAN PAVERS WITH SOAP OR DETERGENT
Directly apply dishwashing soap or laundry detergent to the smudge and let it sit for at least 2 hours or longer if time permits. Reinforce it by pouring dish soap and water mixture. Use a bristle brush to scrub your paver lightly.
The answer is yes. However, you can reduce the fading by investing in sealants and taking care of your pavers by killing weeds when they appear in between them and fixing them when they get loosened.
Efflorescence occurs when water-soluble salts within concrete migrate to the surface and react with carbon dioxide to form calcium carbonate. This substance remains visible on the surface of the hardscape products like pavers, slabs and walls in the form of a white haze.
It is common to mix bleach with water; however, you can also add other ingredients to make it more effective. Similar to cleaning pavers with muriatic acid, avoid an intense concentration of bleach, as it can damage the pavers.
Sun affects pavers in the same way it affects everything else. Over a long period of time, the sun will make the colors in your pavers fade. But the sun's rays can be beneficial, too. Wet, unsealed pavers are prone to mold and mildew.
If pavers are not sealed, they can fade to look like bare cement is as little as 7 years! Now, thanks to over two years of formulations, our unique dyeing process restores faded pavers to almost new looking. There is a sealing component incorporated into the brick paver staining formula.
Whilst vinegar will not directly dissolve concrete itself, but it will degrade the cement that binds your concrete slabs or flags together. Extended exposure to vinegar will also cause any polish or sealant on your pavers to erode over time, leading to bleaching, stains and weathering.
Whether your patio is sealed concrete or cement, or even sealed concrete pavers, a bleach and water solution makes it easy to clean away built up soil, stains from leaves and pollen, mold, mildew and algae.
Despite the practicality of the material, its resistance to external factors, pavers fade away. It is a natural process that is difficult to prevent but can be slowed down with proper and timely maintenance.
Prevent fading: Exposure to the sun and other elements can cause pavers to fade over time. Sealing your pavers can help prevent this fading, which can help maintain the overall aesthetic of your outdoor space. Decreased Drying Time: Properly sealed pavers do not allow water to absorb inside them.
How long should I wait before sealing my new pavers? Typically 60-90 days. The main reason to wait is so that efflorescence can work its way to the surface and be cleaned off. The more the pavers get wet, the quicker this happens.
The longevity of the overall installation of this paving material is typically higher than that of other materials. The best thing about pavers is that they are designed to last a lifetime. They may develop cracks at some point, but that's not a problem because they can easily be replaced.
A dish soap, like Dawn, is a safe place to start. The surfactants in dish soaps are designed to remove oil and grease, they're gentle enough to be used without issue on your pavers. In a bowl or bucket, mix the soap with water and pour it onto the stain and agitate. Rinse and repeat if needed.
OxiClean is a powerful concrete cleaner that works well on various materials, including pavement and grout. This concentrated solution provides excellent cleaning without leaving residue.
The pressure washer in combination with a dirt cutter is an excellent option. This removes not only weeds and moss from the surface, but also from indentations. Keeping up with this type of cleaning means that there is less time for weeds to grow. It also helps to maintain the beauty of the paving stones' surface.
Bleach: This alkaline solution may be effective for other household uses, but it can discolor concrete pavers that have been colored or stained.
You can expect a concrete or brick paver patio to last 25 to 45 years, with an average of 35 years. Proper installation is critical and begins with a well-compacted base. Maintenance is also important, such as regular re-application of a surface sealer and repair/replacement of damaged pavers.
When you apply a sealant to your pavers, it gives them a clean, wet look with a glossy finish, depending on the finish of the sealant you use. It will not alter the color of the paver but will instead highlight the hue of the material and enhance the color of the pavers.
On the other hand, baking soda is useful because it is slightly abrasive, which is excellent for the rough surfaces of paving slabs. When it is mixed with water, it can dissolve dirt and grease, and like vinegar, you'll only need a brush or broom when cleaning.