A paver sealer will help to protect the pavers from weather damage, stains, and general wear and tear. It can also make the pavers look shiny and new again. Paver sealers come in different types, so be sure to read the labels carefully before purchasing one.
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).
As mentioned above, there are a few different types of wet look paver sealers to choose from. You can go with a penetrating sealer designed to enhance the color of the pavers, or you can go with a water or solvent based acrylic sealer.
Over time, the continuous high-pressure blast of water will erode the layer of color on the pavers and expose the stone and aggregate contained in them. Oftentimes, the stone and the aggregate do not retain the color of the pigments used and will appear dull.
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.
If you still think they need to be enhanced, you could use paver sealant to bring out the color of faded pavers. The use of paver sealant is a bit controversial because it blocks water from evaporating on the surface of the pavers. This could lead to problems down the line if you're in an area with heavy rainfall.
Dish soaps are ideal for this job. While they feature surfactants that are able to remove tough grime like oil and grease, they are also safe enough to use on paving stones without compromising their integrity or appearance.
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.
Sealers make bricks shine. Last, but not least is the sheen. Our sealers that we use at Paver Protectors offer a nice sheen and most companies have additional sheens available as do we. Our water-based sealers that enhance the color, they also enhance the sheen.
Use a detergent such as Dawn or Ajax dishwashing liquid mixed with water to brighten a concrete patio that hasn't been cleaned in a while. Just as you would regularly vacuum the floor and dust your furniture inside your house, you should keep your patio clean so it's ready at a moment's notice to entertain.
After you have invested in pavers, whether that be a patio, poolside deck, etc., it is important to seal your pavers in order to protect from the weathering UV rays. These rays, which are known to impact the skin negatively, also impact the surface of your pavers negatively.
Patio Sealer WET LOOK FINISH is a water-based polymerised protective coating that creates a highly durable wet look finish on all types of outdoor natural stone. This patio paver sealer is very easy to apply, it is self levelling and penetrates the substrate to protect against oil and water-based stains.
Similar to cleaning pavers with muriatic acid, avoid an intense concentration of bleach, as it can damage the pavers.
Bleach: This alkaline solution may be effective for other household uses, but it can discolor concrete pavers that have been colored or stained.
Cleaning a patio with bleach is easy.
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.
Mix Solution of dish soap and water, and use a brush to scrub the pavers clean. Make sure to rinse the pavers thoroughly afterward. This process may need to be repeated for tough stains. A recommendation is to do this every few months.
Baking soda is an amazing household cleaner, and it can work really well on your pavers too.
Will Vinegar Damage Pavers? Yes, vinegar is NEVER safe to use on pavers. It can cause a lot of damage, and you may have to replace a lot of the pavers if you try this. I know that vinegar is often used for household cleaning projects, but when it comes to your patio, it's a big no!