How To Maintain Pavers – Guide To Sealing & Cleaning Pavers.

Paver maintenance does not have to be time consuming. Pavers are a practical low maintenance option for driveways, around pools, paths, under verandas and patio areas. However, because they’re often exposed to the elements, including rain and wind, blowing leaves, dust and dirt, or exposed to human factors like muddy boots, BBQ accidents and red wine, you should take steps to keep your pavers looking as good as when they were first laid.

There are 3 steps to paver maintenance, to keep your pavers looking their best.

1. Seal Pavers

   Sealing pavers immediately after they have been laid is the first step to reduce the time you need to spend maintaining your pavers condition. There are a number of commercial grade sealers designed for concrete pavers, clay pavers and natural stone pavers. Paver sealers provide a barrier, reducing the risk of staining from dirt, algae, leaves and foods that fall onto your pavers by reducing absorption. One added benefit to sealing your pavers is it will bring out and deepen the colours in your pavers. Another benefit, especially around pools and wet areas, sealers can supply a better non-slip surface while protecting your pavers from the effects of chlorine or salt.

   Sealers will wear over time, depending on the amount of wear, quality of sealer and quality of application, this could be a yearly process or every second year.

2. Maintain Pavers

   To maintain pavers, regular maintenance will be worth the little time it takes to sweep leaves off with a stiff bristle broom, blow off dirt with a ‘blower vac’ or hose them down with water jets.

   The longer leaves and other debris are left on your pavers, the greater chance of staining occurring. This is especially applicable to fatty foods and red wine.

3. Cleaning Pavers – Stain Removal

   Accidents will happen and you might not always be able to regularly clean your pavers, so stains are likely. The following table sets out the common types of stains and the action that should be tried in each case to clean pavers first.

   Cause of Stain	What to Try
   Food grease, sauces, blood, red wine	Use detergent and hot water. For stubborn stains apply undiluted household liquid detergent for 15 to 30 minutes, then scrub and wash with hot water. Red wine may need to be removed with a mild bleach solution, but test on an area first.
   Leaves, moss, mould	Dry brushing with a stiff bristle broom. High pressure water jetting with liquid detergent for stubborn stains, or finally apply fungicides, testing on an area first.
   Oil or vehicle grease	Apply dry absorbent materials such as talcum powder or kitty litter for 24 hours to remove excess oil, then sweep up.
   Tyre marks	Scrub using stiff bristle broom with water and liquid detergent.
   Dry paint	Scrape off excess paint, apply paint remover for 20-30 minutes, loosen with butter knife and absorb loosened material with paper towel or cloth. Do not rub. Repeat as necessary.