How to Clean Patio Pavers

Proper Paver Cleaning & Maintenance: A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Clean and Maintain your Patio Pavers: Seal new paver installations immediately. Deep clean and reseal outdoor areas annually. Revitalize old, dingy pavers with professional cleaning and resealing. For indoor floors, routinely damp mop and deep clean every 6-12 months. Follow these steps for long-lasting, vibrant paver hardscaping.

Pavers offer incredible durability and aesthetic appeal for hardscaping projects like patios, walkways, driveways, and more. However, to truly maximize their lifespan and keep them looking vibrant for decades, diligent cleaning and maintenance are required. Follow these step-by-step instructions to properly care for your paver installation.

Initial Sealing of Pavers (For New Installations)

1. Immediately after installation, apply a premium paver sealer product to all surfaces including joints and edges. Choose a sealer formulated with advanced UV inhibitors and joint stabilizers.
2. Ensure the paver surface is completely clean and dry before sealing.
3. Apply the sealer with a high-quality pump sprayer or solvent-safe roller, taking care to eliminate any puddles or uneven application.
4. Allow the sealer to fully cure according to manufacturer instructions before using the area, typically 24-48 hours.

More about Sealing

Exterior Paver Cleaning & Resealing

For outdoor paver areas like patios, walkways, driveways, and pool decks, implement this annual or bi-annual cleaning and resealing process:

Deep Cleaning Process:

1. Clear the area of all furniture, planters, grills, and other objects.
2. Use a stiff brush to manually dislodge any weeds, moss, or organic debris between paver joints.
3. Thoroughly sweep away any loose debris from the paver surface.
4. Saturate the pavers with clean water from a hose.
5. In a large bucket, mix together warm water and a specialized paver cleaner per product instructions.
6. Apply the cleaning solution generously across the entire paver area.
7. Use a stiff-bristle deck brush to agitate and scrub the solution into the paver surface.
8. Allow the solution to dwell for 5-10 minutes to further dissolve grime.
9. Rinse the area thoroughly using a pressure washer wand or high-pressure nozzle, avoiding disruption of joint sand/stabilizers.
10. For any stubborn stains, utilize a solvent-free stain remover and spot scrub with a brush.
11. Once fully rinsed and dry, inspect for any degraded joint sand that needs replenishment.

Resealing:

1. Use a leaf blower or air compressor to clear any dust, debris, or standing water from paver surfaces and joints.
2. Apply a premium paver sealer using a solvent-safe roller or pump sprayer, ensuring full and even coverage.
3. Allow the new sealer to fully cure according to product instructions before use, typically 24-48 hours.
4. Plan to reseal outdoor paver areas every 3-5 years depending on traffic levels and environmental exposure.

Indoor Paver Floor Maintenance

For interior grouted and sealed paver floor systems:

Weekly/Bi-Weekly Cleaning:

1. Sweep or vacuum up any loose dirt, grit, and debris.
2. Damp mop the entire floor using a pH-neutral, non-acidic floor cleaner diluted per instructions.
3. Immediately blot up any spills using a dry cloth or paper towel.

Deep Cleaning (Every 6-12 Months):

1. Remove all furnishings and clear the floor area.
2. Sweep or vacuum up debris.
3. Saturate the floor with clean water and a diluted pH-neutral floor cleaner.
4. Use a low-speed floor machine with a soft brush attachment to agitate the cleaning solution.
5. Rinse thoroughly using clean water and a wet vacuum to extract excess moisture.
6. Allow to fully dry for 24-48 hours.
7. Inspect and reseal any areas with compromised grout or sealant.

Revitalizing Old Paver Systems

For severely worn, dingy, or degraded paver areas, implement this professional revitalization process:

1. Complete a deep cleaning as outlined above to remove all contaminants, stains, and efflorescence.
2. Use a mechanical paver cleaning machine with rotating soft bristle brushes to abrade the entire surface.
3. Repair any significantly degraded areas of grout, joint sand/stabilizers, or failed sealant.
4. Apply a professional-grade paver cleaner and degreaser to open up the pores.
5. Rinse thoroughly and allow to fully dry for 24-48 hours.
6. Roll or spray on an even coating of a premium paver sealer product across the entire area.
7. Allow the new sealant to fully cure before resuming use, typically 48-72 hours.

By following these instructional steps for cleaning, sealing, and maintaining your pavers, you can ensure your hardscape investment retains its vibrant finish and structural integrity for 25+ years. For best results, always use paver-safe, high-quality cleaning products and consult professionals as needed.