BP Pro can also offer guidance for customers looking to clean their pavers whether they are sealed and protected or not. Cleaning stains on hardscape surfaces may require some investigation, experimentation and testing to find the best option to diminish, or possibly remove stains. Call us now for help with resolving these problems.
Cleaning Maintenance
When you design & plan your project, choose colors and styles carefully. Certain colors and patterns work better in specific areas. Choose colors that compliment your house and provide a maintenance level that suits your lifestyle. This system performs best when correctly installed based on your traffic loading, weather and soil conditions. When you make this investment, remember to choose your contractor & materials carefully so that you get the best long-term performance from your hardscape.
Choose an “experienced” paver installer, because their designers can guide you through the planning and design of your project. Choose a high quality installation with the right products to get the best ROI with the lowest risk.
Structural Maintenance
Is defined as uplifting and replacing or re-leveling individual units to maintain a functional “level” hardscape. From a structural perspective, pavers do not crack because “the system” flexes during movement. After the first 6 – 9 months, your pavers have settled to their final elevation. Correctly installed pavers on a good (correct thickness that is well compacted) base typically require little structural maintenance. Movement sometimes occurs in sections that are lifted by plant roots. The good news, pavers can be repaired without the unattractive “patched” look so these repairs or utility repairs can be carried out without hesitation.
Good quality installations by good contractors will minimize issues, but you might want to keep some extra pavers, they may come in handy in the future. Monitor surrounding root growth to limit movement.
Aesthetic Maintenance
Focuses on the look of your project and steps you can take to keep it looking its best. With some planning, you can prevent some staining and manage other discoloration. Pavers have a low absorption surface, but spills can penetrate into the substrate and cause staining. Sealers will slow down and reduce the amount of stain penetration, minimizing the impact of these problems, but cleaning materials that cause stains is a key element of any maintenance plan. The pigments used in pavers are stable and resist fading. The colored surface undergoes a slight reduction in the concentration of color as normal surface wear exposes small stone aggregates.
Prevent stains before they happen and consider protective sealers to improve your cleaning results. Joint Stabilizing Sealers also improve the look of your project while bonding your joint sand so call or visit us online to get more information about these options to protect your pavers and your joint sand.
Joint Sand
Is a vital part of the paver system. It promotes interlock between the units and more importantly, “seals” the joints so that moisture does not penetrate into the sub-base and undermine the installation. Limited joint sand loss is normal for paver installations. Loose sand can simply be swept into the joints, as part of your regular maintenance. The general rule of thumb is that correctly graded ASTM C-144 “mason sand” or C-933 “concrete sand” should be at least 1/8″ below the bottom of the chamfer or the tumbled edge of the paver. This level optimizes the look and performance for your pavement.
Stabilization is the best solution for the maintenance of joint sand. Choose a Joint Stabilizing Sealer for a long-term chemically cured joint with surface protection in the look you want.
Joint sand may become recessed between your pavers through regular use and cleaning. Topical weeds can grow in these locations from windblown seeds, because joint sand and bedding sand does not contain plant material. Weeds should be pulled and pretreated with the herbicide prior to reinstatement of “clean” sand to inhibit future growth.
Insects and ants may burrow through the sand if pavers are installed over the nest. Spray insecticide prior to reinstating sand to change their habits.
Joint sand stabilization locks the sand in place reducing these issues.
Post-construction clean up
Should be undertaken with scrubbing brushes and water where possible. Do not mix mortars and other materials on the paver surface without adequate protection.
Chemicals can be used to clean specific stains as needed but correctly used, a hot water pressure washer, may provide the best results.
When considering polymeric sand, remember that liquid Joint Stabilizing Sealers provide superior stabilization and protection without discoloring the paver surface. Polymeric sand haze from cement-based binders that float on the surface (during installation or heavy rain), can be cleaned with Eco-New Concentrate. This product is recommended for professional use only.
Protect hardscape surface prior to use of paint and other finishes including pouring, mixing, and equipment cleanup. If spills occur on unprotected surfaces, scrape excess material from the surface. Use a dry stiff bristle brush to remove excess residue once dried to minimize stains.
Avoid solvent type cleaners until removal of maximum amount of residue, as solvents smear and spread the stain over the surface. Use a hot water pressure washer on difficult stains to remove buildup on the surface and in paver pores.
Plant sap, leaves, flowers and seeds can discolor your pavers. Trim plants to minimize contact and clean the surface frequently to ensure that there is less dwell time on the surface, which will reduce staining. Use diluted household bleach with a scrubbing brush to remove stain. Rinse off the surface, let it dry and repeat as necessary. (FOR HARD WATER STAINING FROM OVER WATERING OR FERTILIZER STAINS, SEE SECTION ON MINERAL DEPOSITS)
Moss & algae: Use a stiff bristle brush or pressure washer to remove excess growth from the surface and joints. Soak the residue with household bleach and repeat cleaning where necessary.
Trim plants to avoid staining. Clean leaf and berry stains as soon as possible using BP Pro General Cleaner. Sealing and joint sand stabilization, reduces moisture in the system and related growth.
Food and beverage
Stains commonly occur near preparation and eating areas or near trash cans. These spills can be difficult to clean as they contain a variety of components that can mark the surface but this is commonly not the case if they are addressed quickly. Dab up excess material as soon as possible and clean the stained surface using a general “soap” cleaner with warm water. Let the cleaning solution soak in and break down stains. Agitate the surface with a brush and rinse off excess cleaner residue, letting it dry to observe the results and repeat as necessary.
Try BP Pro General Cleaner to remove stains. Mix Powder Cleaner to boost cleaning performance. Invisible StainBLOCKER spot seal and adds protection to outdoor barbecues and kitchens without changing the look of the surface.
Mineral deposits from efflorescence, hardwater, pool chemicals, rust, and polymeric sand haze can buildup on your paver surface. Efflorescence is white or gray salts that occur naturally in your pavers. They are drawn to the surface by the wick action and can build up over time, discoloring your hardscape. This process typically occurs in the first 3 – 6 months of your installation and will wear away over time or after cleaning. Other minerals like polymeric sand haze, hard water from irrigation, chemicals from pools, and rust from furniture also continue to build up over time. These minerals may become more difficult to clean if left to sit on the surface. CAUTION: acidic cleaner are required to clean many of these stains but they may damage the surface and look of your pavers, real all instructions carefully to reduce risk.
First, try to clean this buildup immediately with water and a stiff brush, but if this does not work, use BP Pro Efflorescence Remover (Pro’s use Eco-NEW Concentrate). Read all instructions carefully.
Tire Marks
Can occur on all hard driving surfaces. The extent of the marking is affected by the paver color, surface texture, tire composition and the actual cause of the marks. Tire marks stem from two sources; tires drive over stains picking up materials and depositing “road grime” on your pavers. Road grime can be caused by asphalt slurry, motor oil, or other contaminants. Tire rubber also wears and degrades through use and rubber may be transferred onto the paver surface. Rubber transfer generally occurs with specific tires (there is no consistent rule for brands of or types of higher transfer tires) but it is generally most evident when tires, are turned on the same spot.
Road grime needs to be cleaned off the surface with General Cleaner. Rubber transfer, in most cases, wears off through normal use or rain. If the rubber transfer continues to be a problem, scrub with concentrated BP Pro General Cleaner with a soft brush. Sealers should not cause or inhibit rubber transfer but they will make cleaning of road grime easier.
Motor vehicle oil and fluids
Should be removed from the surface as soon as possible. These stains contain solvents and other materials that are extremely penetrant, leaving residue after cleaning that is not easily removed which causes additional discoloration. Clean cars and equipment in areas where staining is not an issue.
Use warm water with General Cleaner to remove initial stain. Apply Oil Out to the paver surface and let it dry overnight after a general cleaning. As the moisture evaporates out of the poultice, it draws out the oil reducing residue and discoloration. This process will most likely need to be repeated to get the best results.
Pavers perform well in all climates including freeze that areas. Snow and ice removal can be carried out with manual tools like plows or shovels and electric systems like blowers. Chemicals and other systems should be evaluated to confirm suitability for your project.
When considering a joint stabilizer or protective product, choose the correct product carefully. If the product is installed incorrectly or issues develop, you may to strip your project, which is extremely difficult and expensive. Choose paver specific products and make sure that they are installed correctly. Installation issues can affect the look of the surface or the performance of the material.
We recommend that your paver installer carry out the installation. This maintains the chain of responsibility on the project. You can also choose a “trained professional” as they reduce the risk of improper installations that can detract from the look and performance of your valuable investment. If you do the work yourself, test first and follow the three point checklist, call 714-258-0800 with questions.
Cleaning results can be enhanced by using the correct cleaning tools. “Elbow grease” with a stiff bristle brush or pressurized water creates mechanical force that removes buildup from the surface. Use mechanical force to remove excess material that is “attached” or on the surface of your pavers rather than for penetrant stains. Cleaner will help resolve penetrant stains. Also remember that stain residue can attract other materials causing additional marking or discoloration, enhancing stains. Remember to use equipment that is compatible with the cleaners.
Generally, pressure washers (when correctly used) provide the best cleaning results for surface build up because they effectively clean textured surfaces. Heated pressure washers are advantageous when removing penetrant stains like oil from vehicles and food. Use sufficient time with an adjustable wand or wide spray tip that is angled to keep the nozzle off the surface to avoid damaging the joint sand. Brushes are effective when you have buildup on the surface.
Cleaners
Can be used in conjunction with mechanical force to enhance your cleaning results on certain stains. Identify the cause of the stain and use the specific cleaner for that stain. Test your cleaner first and remember that there are chemical differences between stains, so testing may be necessary to help you find the best cleaner for your unique situation. Remember that prevention is better than cure.
