CONCRETE PAVER MAINTENANCE – TAKING CARE OF PATIOS, WALKWAYS AND MORE
Concrete paver hardscaping is an affordable option for creating the perfect outdoor entertaining space for you and your family to enjoy. Concrete pavers are durable, aesthetically beautiful, and with proper maintenance, they can provide you with literally a lifetime of enjoyment!
While Mother Nature can be cruel, with her temperature extremes, freezing cold, rain, and in the Bay area, even the occasional earthquake. If you’ve installed a high-quality paver product like the ones we carry here at Bayside Pavers, you’ve already taken the first steps to increase resistance to weathering and corrosion.
PAVER MAINTENANCE MADE SIMPLE
One of the most significant benefits of interlocking concrete pavers is the fact that they are a low-maintenance product. With a minimum of seasonal maintenance, you can preserve the beauty and integrity of your patio, walkways, or driveway.
Here are some tips to keep your concrete pavers looking great!
GENERAL MAINTENANCE TIPS
• To keep your pavers looking new, clean them every spring with a coarse bristle broom and a paver cleaner.
• If not addressed, some weeds can cause pavers to shift apart over time. Periodically (a few times a year) apply a granular weed preventative between the joints as part of your routine paver maintenance.
• Be mindful when cleaning your hardscape with a power washer. They can remove any finish and sealant and expose the aggregate on the paver’s surface.
CLEANING TIPS
Most of the time, you can clean your hardscape using a broom to remove debris, and a garden hose or power washer to remove dirt. However, sometimes to may need to use a more potent chemical to get your hardscape areas extra clean. In these instances:
• Before applying any chemical cleaner to your hardscape, test it first in an inconspicuous area to make sure it’s safe to use.
• Always read and follow the directions printed on the solution’s label doe use, application, and first aid. Always make sure to rinse the area and any areas where it may run off thoroughly.
• For tough stains, use a specialized cleaner. Several manufacturers offer specialty cleaners for organic stains, grease or oil stains, rust, and paint, tar or rubber. Each is specially formulated to clean pavers and masonry without affecting the color. However, it’s still a good practice to test it in an inconspicuous area before applying.
• Always wait about 90 days after cleaning, before sealing your pavers. This allows enough time for you to remove efflorescence that may appear after installation.
PROTECTING YOUR PAVERS
To keep your pavers looking spectacular, and extend their useful lifespan almost indefinitely, along with cleaning and maintaining the surface, you’ll want to protect them. Unlike cleaning, which should happen at least annually or seasonally, this is a process you can do every few years.
Learn About Our Concrete Paver Installation Services
The joints between stones are the most vulnerable area of your hardscape. Along with removing and preventing weed growth between the pavers, you’ll want to keep them, “topped off” with jointing sand to prevent the sand layer below from deteriorating and causing shifting. If you used polymer sand at the time of installation, this step might not be necessary. This type of sand includes a hardener, usually activated with water. It causes the sand to harden and helps to prevent erosion.
If you use deicing chemicals in the wintertime. Make sure you follow instructions on the package. When used in proper amounts, they should not damage the pavers. However, they can sometimes accelerate surface wear on some brands or styles of pavers. Always use them in moderation, and only use manufacturer-approved chemicals.
To keep your paver surfaces protected and looking their best, you’ll want to seal them every three years or so. You have several options available, including a natural matte finish, a color-boosted matte finish, a clear semi-gloss, and a wet-look gloss finish. Sealers should not be applied more than once every three years, or they can create a film on the paver’s surface, which could discolor when exposed to sunlight. If you’re not sure if you need to reseal your pavers, try the water test. Drip some water on the surface. If it initially beads up, your pavers are fine. If it’s immediately absorbed, it’s time to reseal.
Finally, bring older pavers that are weathered or have suffered neglect back to life or give them new color with a product called NuLook Tinted Sealant. This is a semi-transparent, semi-gloss sealer explicitly designed to rejuvenate faded pavers.
CALL THE EXPERTS AT BAYSIDE PAVERS
If you live in the greater San Francisco By area and have questions about the best way to maintain your hardscape, why not give the experts at Bayside Pavers a call at (925) 291-9384. We’re always happy to answer your questions and carry a wide selection of high-quality pavers and products.
If you live in the East or South Bay areas, stop by our Concord, CA location at 2455 Bates Ave., Ste K. For North Bay residents, our Santa Rosa location at 1619 4th Street, Ste 12, is ready to help!
