Is it OK to power wash patio pavers?

Author: Fabiola Ritchie  |  Last update: Tuesday, January 2, 2024

You can use a pressure washer on your patio pavers if you want to clean stubborn stains or mildew from them. However, be very careful when doing this! Use a gentle spray and avoid letting the water run down the sides of your pavers, especially if they're set in the sand rather than mortar.

Can power washing damage pavers?

When pressure washing pavers, bricks, or concrete, these mistakes can cause visible damage, such as pitting, lines, or general surface degradation. Another common issue from improper power washing is damaging the mortar between bricks or dispersing the joint sand between pavers.

What is the best way to wash pavers?

Mild detergent and water.

Mix some mild dish soap with water in a bucket to create suds, then use a brush or a sponge to scrub the surface of the pavers. If your pavers are textured or have intricate designs, this cleaning method can be gentler than a power washer.

What do professionals use to clean pavers?

There are useful tools for cleaning paving stones, such as joint scrapers, sweepers, and pressure washers. In addition, pavers can be cleaned with a small pickaxe, broom, and garden hose.

Does pressure washing damage patio?

Yes, a pressure washer can damage a patio by degrading the surface of the slabs. This in turn can allow more dirt to work its way into marks and pits in the stone in the future. When you clean a patio with a pressure washer, it is best not to use a super-high pressure and instead go more gently.

How To Clean Your Patio and Kill Moss - Patio Restored!

Where should you not use a pressure washer?

Before you begin spring cleaning with your pressure washer in tow, it's important to know which things on your property you should wash in some other way.
  • Windows. Photo: istockphoto.com. ...
  • Electric Meters. Photo: istockphoto.com. ...
  • Asphalt Shingles. ...
  • Gutters. ...
  • Old Mortar or Brick. ...
  • Vehicles. ...
  • Stained or Painted Surfaces. ...
  • Light Fixtures.

What is the best thing to clean a patio with?

If you don't have detergent, a simple solution of washing up liquid with warm water should do the trick. Starting from the top corner, hold your pressure washer at a 30-degree angle and spray diagonally across your patio.

Should you seal pavers after power washing?

Most contractors and manufacturers recommend sealing pavers for the many benefits. Both concrete and brick pavers are porous materials that can change quality and appearance when they absorb liquids.

How do you clean pavers without power washing?

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.

Can you use Dawn to clean pavers?

To clean paver slabs, you can use a detergent, such as Dawn, or a vinegar-water solution that is gentle enough to effectively clean without causing damage to your concrete pavers.

What is the best chemical to clean outdoor pavers?

Cleaning brick pavers
  • Always use white vinegar, as dark vinegar can stain.
  • Soak affected areas, making sure the vinegar is evenly distributed.
  • Leave for 1 hour or so.
  • Spray pavers with soap and a little water, then brush off.

Can you use bleach on pavers?

Cleaning your pavers with bleach has a lot of benefits: Disinfecting the Surface: Bleach is an effective disinfectant and can kill any bacteria or mold on the surface. This will help to prevent any health hazards from occurring. Removing Tough Stains: Bleach is also effective in removing tough stains from the surface.

How long does it take pavers to dry after power washing?

If the pavers are wet due to a pressure wash, allow them at least 24 hours to air dry. They may need a reseal after a deep clean, which is crucial to wash away residue. Excessive moisture from intense heat can also hinder the sealing process.

What will ruin pavers?

Acidic cleaners: Harsh, acid-based cleaning products and stain removers can damage the seal and finish of your concrete pavers. Bleach: This alkaline solution may be effective for other household uses, but it can discolor concrete pavers that have been colored or stained.

Does power washing get rid of weeds between pavers?

Power or pressure washing will clear out the weeds from a Cobblelock block paving driveway or path, so they are gone ... but only for for a short time. But although the surface looks good when we leave a customer's property, neither softwashing nor power or pressure washing actually kills the weeds.

How do you rejuvenate patio pavers?

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).

How often should pavers be cleaned?

To keep pavers looking their best, plan to clean and reseal them every three to five years. Clean your pavers each Spring with a coarse-bristle “stable” broom and a paver cleaner to keep them looking like new. Some weeds, if left unaddressed, can shift pavers apart over time.

How do you seal pavers after power washing?

Pour the sealer into a paint roller tin and use a long roller brush to apply the sealer onto the paver surface. Make sure you're working in sections that'll keep you from getting trapped in a corner. Follow the sealant instructions on how much drying time to allow after the first coat then apply the second coat.

What PSI should I use to clean pavers?

1000 to 1500 psi pressure is easy to mange and will not cause damage to pavers and paving stone. A low pressure washer is also safe for mortared flagstone and slate patios and walls.

Can you pressure wash polymeric sand?

If remov- ing polymeric sand, a hot water pressure washer will help to soften up the binders in the sand. Any tough to remove hardened areas, may require mechanical means to clean the joint. Take caution with natural stone or thin style pavers and be sure to avoid disturb- ance of the bedding sand underneath.

What do professionals use to clean patio slabs?

To clean smaller surfaces areas, pH-neutral soap, a little water, and a brush are suitable. If you want to clean larger areas of natural stone efficiently, you can reach for the electric patio cleaner or work with the pressure washer and a surface cleaner.

When should I pressure wash my patio?

Spring and summer are the best seasons to pressure wash patios. The beginning of spring is a great time to jet wash your patio – the temperatures started to rise slightly, so there will not be any unpleasantness of pressure washing in the cold and you won't run the risk of water freezing.

Can I use Dawn to clean my patio?

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.

Previous article
What is the best way to treat hard well water?
Next article
How do you remove set in stains that have been washed and dried?