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).
Yes, you can change the color of your pavers with concrete stains and a basic understanding of color theory. Applying complementary colors can help neutralize the existing shade and change the color of your brick pavers.
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 acid content in vinegar is particularly good at breaking down the molecules in clay surfaces. Standard bricks are made mostly from clay, so exposure to undiluted vinegar will quickly result in discolouration and a sticky chemical byproduct coating your bricks.
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.
For human-made colored concrete paving slabs or concrete pavers, we don't recommend the use of bleach for cleaning. That's because the substance could fade your paver colors if regularly cleaned with bleach over a long period.
One of the greatest pros of choosing staining over painting is that the stain penetrates into the concrete rather than just building up on the surface, as with paint. This results in a longer-lasting color that won't fade as quickly as paint.
Get ready to bring new life to your old and faded brick patio! This project is all about using concrete paver stain to refresh the colors and give your patio a fresh new look.
Sealing pavers enhances the bricks' color
Some call it the wet look. Some call it the enhanced look. But either way, what it does is it darkens and enriches the colors of the brick. It does not change the color, however.
Wash with soapy water
The classic and easiest method is to wash your paving slabs with warm water mixed with dish soap, rubbing it in with a brush before rinsing it with water and allowing it to dry fully.
It is imperative that you choose the right type of paint to avoid the need to scrape, re-clean, and re-paint the pavers. This is something that no homeowner wants to go through. Choosing acrylic cement paint is the best option as the paint has a strong finish and stands up to exposures well.
Cleaning brick pavers
Cleaning pavers with vinegar is a great way to get rid of stubborn moss, algae and stains on brick.
Baking soda has low-abrasive properties, making it an excellent cleaning material for stuck-on grime and tough stains. Additionally, baking soda is absorbent, allowing it to absorb oils from the surface of the pavers, especially freshly oil spill on concrete pavers.
Scrubbing With Borax
For regular cleaning of brick patios, you can opt for a milder cleaning solution. Mix one tablespoon of borax with a gallon of warm water. Pour the solution on the brick and scrub with a stiff brush.
The phenomenon of efflorescence occurs when water soluble salts migrate to the surface of the paver with the help of water (i.e., condensation, rain). Once the mixture of water reaches the surface, it mixes with the carbon dioxide in the air and creates a white haze/film that covers the pavers.
If your deck is made from concrete, pavers travertine, brick, stamped concrete or composite decking, you can clean and refresh it for summer using OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover.
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.
Fill up a gallon sized bucket with water and add about 16oz of dish detergent. Mix the soap into the water thoroughly. Once your cleaning solution is ready, gently pour some onto your paver surface, working in small areas at a time. There are also specific cleaning solutions.
You should choose a water-based sealer if your pavers are laid with joint sand. The water-based sealer penetrates between the pavers and hardens the joint sand Solvent-based sealers are used if the paver surface of your brick patio is packed tightly with no space in between the bricks.