Acids and acid-based cleaners can, and all-too-often do, cause devastating damage to the appearance of some types of paving. However, being wise after-the-fact is all too easy.
If used incorrectly, muriatic acid can damage the surface of porcelain pavers. It is important to dilute the solution according to the manufacturer's instructions and to rinse the pavers thoroughly after using the solution.
Cleaning effloresence and stains from pavers is easily done using an acid wash which requires only a broom, hydrochloric acid and water.
Always fill the watering can with water first and then add the acid. After you clear a space, pour the mixture from a watering can over a small, manageable area. After about three minutes, generously hose off the muriatic acid solution before it can start to damage your pavers.
Dry brushing with or without application of clean sharp sand. OR High pressure water jetting with or without detergent. OR Apply fungicides. Use ordinary bleach or calcium chloride followed by sodium hypochlorite dissolved in water (1kg in 5 litres) then scrub with stiff brush.
Efflorescence doesn't cause long-term damage to your stones, but it can make them look dull and white. Treating your paving stones with diluted muriatic acid removes the deposits and helps them look good as new.
The acetic acid in vinegar is a little stronger than acid rain, so exposing your pavers to this substance can lead to bleaching, corrosion and the loss of protective sealant.
Any acid used incorrectly can damage the brick or cause unsightly staining and can be more difficult to repair. Cleaning vanadium stains with hydrochloric acid may turn the salts black and make them more difficult to remove.
Acid cleaning can cause colour changes on bricks and mortar. The acid can soak into the brickwork, weaken the mortar and slow down the hardening process. The brickwork must be kept clean during brick construction and the mortar joints must be pressed before they lose plasticity.
Similar to cleaning pavers with muriatic acid, avoid an intense concentration of bleach, as it can damage the pavers.
Yes, using vinegar is a good choice for cleaning pavers and very effective as well. Once vinegar is a non-toxic and biodegradable solution, it is a great way to clean your pavers without resorting to chemicals, which is safer, since you don't harm your plants, pets, or the soil.
Water and mild dish soap is a popular cleaning solution because it's easy to find at home and it won't damage brick, but it will tackle stains. The BIA recommends using hot water for surface cleaning with a detergent. White vinegar and water, another common household cleaner, can also be used on mildew.
Although bleach is great at the whitening effect, you can use peroxide to achieve this. Hydrogen peroxide is an oxygenated bleach. It is safe for plants, so when you rinse this solution, it won't harm anything. It works together with the dish soap and baking soda to remove dirt and whiten dirty concrete.
Pressure washing is one of the most effective ways to clean your pavers. However, if not done properly it cause permanent damage and deterioration to the surface. Excessive water pressure may remove dirt and grime build-up but it can also eat away at the material.
Don't use vinegar, lemon juice, or other cleaners containing acids on marble, limestone, travertine, or onyx surfaces. Don't use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners, or tub & tile cleaners. Don't use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers.
Vinegar is extremely effective against removing efflorescence from any surface, whether it be interlocking pavers, concrete pavers or bricks.
Alkaline cleaners are great for lifting oil stains, grease stains, and other petroleum-based stains from concrete. It's an added benefit that you can use it with a pressure washer, making the job that much easier. For an eco-friendly cleaner, we recommend Oil Eater cleaner degreaser (US$15.74, Amazon).
Dilute white vinegar with water in a bucket, at Walmart (a 50:50 solution is fine), and apply this natural, eco-friendly cleaning solution to the paving slabs with a firm brush and rinse thoroughly.
areas should be missed, ensuring that the reaction is visible over the entire surface. Avoid walking on areas that have been worked already. The acid stops reacting with the concrete after approximately 30 seconds so there is no need to scrub the surfaces for too long.
Over time, it can destroy concrete as the acid weakens its structure. This will cause scaling, pitting, peeling, and cracking. If the acid wash gets into the soil, it will evaporate on the surface but remain beneath the surface (just like it does with concrete).
concrete can deteriorate. Freezing of trapped water, the effects of sea water, even certain bacteria and fungi can damage it. Particularly damaging to concrete are acids.