Pavers can undeniably make your patio, walkway, decks, or driveways more attractive. Brick pavers, stone pavers, or concrete pavers are all pleasing to look at, but bricks win when it comes to durability. However, without proper and basic brick paver maintenance, your bricks won’t last long. Being a homeowner carries a lot of responsibilities.
Brick pavers come in many shapes, colors, and sizes, making your outdoor area extra pleasing. They also provide flexibility as they complement any home design well. However, they also get worn, and improper maintenance would speed up the damage like other stuff.
Is that why you are here? Have you finally decided to take care of your pavers and look for tips to get you started? Then you’re on the right page! Here are some suggestions for you!
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How to Maintain Brick Pavers
Your house maintenance should not end within your home; your backyard, driveway, patio, or outdoor space also needs your help. Especially if you have brick pavers installed, you need to give them the attention they deserve. Perform these maintenance tips so your pavers would still look incredibly beautiful even after time has passed!
Tip #1: Sweep the pavers daily
As a homeowner, you must keep your place tidy and neat. So, it would be best to schedule your daily paver sweeping routine to lessen the buildup of dust, soil, and other debris. If this is left neglected, it may cause stains.
The order would be sweep, hose, soap. A daily sweep can do a lot more than just removing dirt and debris; it can also prevent the pigment from settling on the surface. Periodic cleaning is one of the best ways to contain the beautiful and fresh look of your paver!
Tip #2: Refresh Pavers by power washing them
Power washing is the process of clearing out bricks and pavers of dirt, grime, and other debris on the surface and even in between the brick paver joints.
Power wash your paving stone surfaces to get them back into shape. It is necessary to use a surface cleaner so water pressure would spread evenly. In addition, you can use regular sand or polymeric sand to fill the gaps. A power washer is an excellent option to prevent mold and moss growth in the area.
Tip #3: Use paver sealers
Paver sealers give your pavers extra protection from weather conditions and stains. It can also prevent weeds from growing in between. While the invisible layer will repel all of these things, you will still need to remove or clean away anything that gets stuck to the pavers. There are different types of paver sealers- water-based and solvent-based.
- Water-based sealer: Contains polymers dissolved in water and acrylic/polymers. The molecules evaporate, and the polymer forms a barrier at the surface. It is not flammable, and it has a matte finish.
- Solvent-based sealant: Unlike water-based sealers, this has more VOCs. This is also made from polymer blends; however, it gives off a glossy outcome. It is necessary to wear a mask when applying this due to their strong odor.
Take note, VOCs react upon sun exposure and are not advisable to inhale due to their harmful effects.
Tip #4: Put polymeric sand in between bricks
Polymeric sand is fine sand designed for filling in the joints. Before applying the polymeric sand, let the surfaces dry entirely after being cleaned with a power washer. Sand gets messy and takes longer to sweep if it is wet outside. Ideally, this procedure should be performed on a warm, sunny day after the driveway has been power washed.
This type of sand is a bit expensive, so for an affordable choice, use regular sand. However, regular sand doesn’t prevent weeds from growing, unlike polymeric sand. And using normal sand may require you to maintain it annually since storms can wash away this sand.
Tip #5: Broken pavers replacement
This is the last thing you would want to do, as it requires a lot of time and effort. And it is the most challenging paver maintenance out of all five. A footpath with broken and uneven surfaces is also likely to collect dirt, debris, and standing water, posing a risk to people and pets. You can install replacement pavers with just replacement stone, filler sand, and edging to hold them in place as they cure.
Follow these steps for the installation:
- Prepare the subsoil.
- Clear out the surface by removing any debris.
- Position the stone.
- Fill in the spaces with sand.
- Apply a sealant.
Can’t do it alone? Call a professional
If you don’t have the time to do the maintenance job, masonry restoration and maintenance specialists always have your back. Choose a company that is trusted by many and just within your area to avoid further costs. Call the company with enough expertise and knowledge about the job, and you will never regret it.
