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.
Cleaning your paving slabs with bleach and water is an effective way to remove algae, moss, or other unwanted substances from the surface.
Generally, to avoid damage to your paving slabs and limit the need for future re-sanding, we recommend pressure washing a block paved surface at a psi of 1500 – 2000. Here is a list of good pressure washers to use on a driveway.
Dish Soap: A great way to clean patio pavers without removing any sand or decorative texture is by simply cleaning with a gentle soap or degreaser like Dawn. Add the dish soap to a container of water, then start lightly scrubbing the dirty spots with a rag, sponge or a stiff-bristled brush.
White vinegar is good for cleaning pavers, though it's also acidic enough to erode the stones' surface. Diluted vinegar can be used safely to clean paving stones, though it should be used sparingly and infrequently to protect your paving from damage.
Pour baking soda on the stained spot, then add a bit of warm water. You can add some detergent or white vinegar for a stronger vinegar solution. Let the mixture sit for at least 1 hour. Scrub the top of the pavers, with extra attention to the gaps between the stones or bricks.
By sealing your block paving it will increase your block paving and patio's life span. If you put the best type of sealant in place, your block paving and sealant could last for years to come. Not only will it increase the life span, but it'll also contribute to other benefits such as: Reduce mould growth.
After pressure cleaning, sometimes sand is blasted out of place. Re-sanding is recommended where necessary.
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. Brush the pavers with a stiff brush.
That's why you must take some preventive measures in order to save your patio from getting dull and damaged. Bleach has a negative effect on coloured artificial block pavings. It fades the colour of the tiles over time if used frequently.
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.
Baking soda is an amazing household cleaner, and it can work really well on your pavers too.
Block paving driveways have a lifespan of 20-25 years. A tried and tested choice, it's the focus of our product range at Cambridgeshire Driveways. It's got more proven resilience over time compared with newer surfaces such as resin. Remedial work is also much easier.
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.
Don't pressure wash block paving too often
Don't do it too often because it could cause permanent damage or scarring on your brickwork. It may also take the colour out of the bricks, exposing its natural colour underneath. Usually, pressure washing is done once a year.
You're wondering what happens if you don't seal pavers. Your pavers won't disintegrate if you don't seal them, but they'll likely fade much sooner than if you applied sealant. You'll also need to clean them more often, and the stains won't be as easy to remove.
The easiest test is by letting water sit on your pavers for about 20 minutes. If the water beads up on the surface and does not leave a stain, your sealant is still working, if it sinks into the paver, however, then a fresh coat of sealer is likely required.
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.
A mix of water and vinegar is a great combination to remove stubborn dirt and stains. If you want even better results, use this mix with a cleaner solution specific made for pavers or soap and water. Just remember to plan your cleaning on sunny days because if it rains, you might need to redo all the work.
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.
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!