Spring cleaning your pavers

Installed concrete products are value added for your property. Maintaining them keeps them looking new through the years. Bolduc pavers, slabs and wallstones are designed and made entirely in Canada. They are Canadian-made for Canada’s four seasons. Though they are tough, durable and need little maintenance, your paved surfaces do need a little loving care.

You can go about it two ways: sweeping or medium pressure spraying.

Sweeping: sweeping manually or mechanically is most common and our recommendation. Sweep thoroughly to remove all debris, stones and dirt.

Medium pressure spraying: high pressure and/or hot water spraying is risky, especially for the joints. Maximum pressure must not exceed 150 bars (2175 psi) and a non-rotating flat spray nozzle should be used at least 50 cm from the target at an angle no steeper than 45 degrees. Spraying with too high a pressure can damage the top layer of pavers and slabs.

Never do high pressure cleaning combined with cleaning products. This can abrade concrete surfaces and seriously damage them.

If your pavers still have stains after cleaning, you’ll have to deal with those! Remember that the longer the stain remains, the harder it is to eliminate. Stains from barbecue grease, red wine, chewing gum, decomposing leaves, and rust from furniture and ferrous fertilizers, can be removed with common non-wax household products if done without delay. Stubborn cases need to be dealt with using specialized cleaning and maintenance products.

Examples:

Organic stains: dead leaves, mud and natural materials: Our blog entry How to prevent and clean dead leaf stains on your paver, explains how to clean these stains. You can consult the article to see how to proceed without damaging your pavers.

Food and beverages: Food and beverages such as red wine have to be cleaned with warm water right away to avoid stubborn stains. If they leave any traces, use dishwashing liquid and then rinse with clear water. If the stain still persists, use a nylon brush.

Rust: If you apply fertilizer on your plants, be aware that they often contain iron which could stain your pavers. Sweep your paved surfaces immediately after applying ferrous fertilizers. Steel furniture and even hard water can also leave traces on your pavers.

Should a rust stain appear, it will have to be cleaned with a professional rust remover for concrete, available from specialized retailers.

Oil and grease: Degreasing household products like dishwashing liquid or laundry detergent usually remove grease and oil stains. Apply the cleaning product directly on the stain and let it stand for a few minutes before rinsing it off with hot water.

Paint, tar and rubber: You will need a professional stripping product for concrete, available from professional retailers. Use these products sparingly and follow the label instructions carefully to avoid damaging your pavers.

Remember that the optimal outdoor temperature for cleaning your pavers is between 10°C and 25°C in the daytime and should be above 5°C at night. You should also avoid cleaning under direct sunlight.

Caution! Make sure you know what’s causing the stain to choose the right cleaner. The wrong choice of cleaner may damage your paver. Some stains can require a more intensive use of chemicals when it might be better to simply replace the soiled paver or slab.

Before cleaning, run a test on some obscure surface. Then parcel the work on small surfaces, minimizing the amount of product used.

he best way to avoid stains on your pavers is to regularly sweep your surfaces and react quickly to mishaps! You can also consider applying sealing products, which will prevent dirt from penetrating the concrete. This will make cleaning easier.

For more on maintaining your Bolduc pavers, contact us! Our expert staff will be happy to answer your questions.

Happy cleaning!

Yvan Bolduc