Pavers of any kind are prone to aging. Apart from the eventual cracks and faded coloration, grime is also a consequence of the passage of time, especially for outdoor projects. That said, a common question that many homeowners share regards the best way to get rid of the dirt. After all, most pavers constitute the curb appeal of American homes and their overall resale value – so preserving their beauty for a longer time is never a bad idea. How to clean dirty pavers, then?

Well, keep reading this brief guide to find out! Or, in case you’re handling brick pavers in particular, click here to be directed to a more specific article.

How often should we clean pavers?

Like we mentioned, keeping your driveway or backyard patio fresh and vibrant will bring your household lots of satisfaction. Routine cleaning is something that preserves the cost-benefit of pavers, maintaining their appearance as new as on the day of installation.

Of course, there are many types of pavers available on the market – the most popular ones being concrete, porcelain and brick. How often you clean them depends on two factors: the material and the project site. Pool decks, for instance, are naturally cleaner than front driveways that hold the weight and traffic of wheels every day. For the latter, spillages from transmission fluids and tyre marks may need special attention, something absent in places like barbecue areas.

Either way, most pavers will eventually show signs of mold and mildew – and we have to take care of that. Besides, it’s common for weeds to grow between the joints, a problem that can be avoided by sealing.

Tools and cleaning products

For budget purposes, most cleaning solutions can be homemade and work just as fine as store products. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy a recommended paver cleaner if the situation calls for it. Dark stains, for example, can sometimes be hard to wash off with pure water, so chemicals like Simple Green might come in handy.

The list below contains the resources you can use interchangeably in a general cleanup:

• warm water (not hot)
• bleach diluted in water (1 cup per gallon)
• dish soap
• stiff-bristle scrub brush
• gloves
• garden hose
• broom

It’s important to mention that you should always avoid using vinegar for this kind of job, which is something that many people don’t know. Vinegar will damage the surface of your pavers and will force you to buy new ones somewhere down the line. White vinegar is an alternative, but still not the go-to option. Pressure washing, by the way, can cause the same outcome if not done properly – so contracting the help of experts is never a bad move.

How to clean dirty pavers: step by step

The following steps will inform you of how to clean dirty pavers the simplest way.

• remove all moss growth by hand, including the apparent weeds;
• scrub the dirty spots with water and your preferable cleaning solution;
• rinse the whole area with a regular hose;
• make sure all stains are gone – otherwise, repeat the process;
• let the whole area dry for some minutes;
• sweep the floor with a broom to get rid of leftover residue.

When you are finished, maybe it’s time to check for faulty pavers here and there. A good installation will never let you down, but sometimes sand comes out of the joints or some pavers are broken by natural circumstances. If that’s your case, you should replace those pieces as soon as possible – and calling a professional is a way to ensure that everything’s in order.

Get in touch with Eagle Pavers today!

Our Florida team provides the best services you need for any paver project, including sealing and pressure washing! With unlimited options for pavers and top-notch professionals, Eagle Pavers is here to get your plans off the paper and even clean them for you!

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Don’t hesitate to contact us today – what about dropping a visit to our showroom? We can give you a free estimate and walk you through all the steps of your dream patio. We’ll be waiting!