Paver cleaning might sound easy, but improper cleaning techniques can easily damage your beautiful pavers, vulnerable joints, and lead to future problems and costly repair bills. This guide walks you through step-by-step on how to clean your pavers without damaging them. Sounds like too much work? Give us a call and let us take care of you.

Tools & Supplies

• Garden hose
• Broom
• Bucket
• Mop or wash rags 
• Pressure washer*
• Cleaning agents (dish soap, detergent, or specialized paver cleaners)
• Stiff-bristle brush
• Polymeric sand
• Paver sealant
• Proper PPEs (gloves, goggles, masks)

*Not all surfaces are suitable for a pressure washer, even at the lowest pressure

Step 1: Clean Debris

Start by picking up larger chunks of debris off your paver. Then, use an outdoor broom to sweep the surface clean of leaves, twigs, and small rocks. Be sure to clean the joints of the pavers as well. However, you don’t need to worry about any stubborn stains or dirt that won’t come off at this stage.

If you have large planters and furniture on the patio, make sure you move them out of the way during this stage so the site is accessible to full cleaning.

Step 2: Spray Wash

Use a garden hose to wash the pavers with water to get rid of leftover debris you’ve swept off. This would also help loosen the dirt chunks that couldn’t be swept off in the first step.

Step 3: Add Cleaning Solution

Mix dish soap or laundry detergent with warm water in a bucket, then use a wash rag or mop to evenly spread the solution onto your paver. You can also use specialty paver cleaners if your pavers have stubborn stains, such as oil or algae.

Step 4: Detailed Cleaning

Now that the cleaning solution covers your paver, you can proceed to detailed cleaning with a stiff-bristle brush. Move the brush in a circular motion and scrub the paver surfaces clean. You should avoid wire brushes since they can scratch up the surface of your pavers, especially if you have porcelain pavers. For stubborn stains, add more cleaning solutions as you scrub them.

Step 5: Rinse and Clean

Once all surface stains have been removed, you can rinse the cleaning solution off the pavers. You can use a low-pressure nozzle at this stage. However, certain materials may not withstand the pressure washing. If you’re unsure whether your pavers can handle a pressure washer, simply rinse and clean them with a garden hose.

Step 6: Refill Paver Joints

Now that surface cleaning is complete and fully dry, it’s time to refill the paver joints. Refilling paver joints can prevent weeds from growing and improve your pavers’ structural integrity. Generally, we recommend using polymeric sand to fill your joints since they last longer than regular sand.  Make sure that your surface is completely dry before sweeping any polymeric sand into joints or it will stick to the surface.

Step 7: Seal Your Pavers

You should reseal your paver at least once every 3 years. Under more extreme conditions, you might need to reseal every year or so. Only choose sealants compatible with your paver material and apply evenly after the surface has completely dried. Proper, regular sealing can protect pavers from fading and enhance stain resistance.

However, note that most natural stones do not require sealing.

Why Hire a Pro for Paver Cleaning

While paver cleaning is not as technically demanding as other hardscape work, it is tedious and labor-intensive, requiring strong attention to detail. Knowing which cleaning methods and materials to use for each type of paver is also highly important.

Experienced paver contractors in Kansas City know how to take care of your paved decks, patios, walkways, and driveways without causing them damage. This saves you from having to fumble with mixing up the cleaning solution, getting on your hands and knees to scrub stains, and all the other troubles.

Information to Gather for Your Contractor

Your contractor will ask for additional information to help them schedule and plan your cleaning. Having the following information ready can save both of you from unnecessary frustration:

• The estimated square footage of the pavers that need to be cleaned
• Types of pavers, especially if you have different materials around your landscape
• The last time you’ve had your pavers cleaned
• The last time your pavers were sealed/re-sealed
• Your scheduling availability
• Any paver damage that needs to be repaired

Being organized and prepared can ensure you get the most accurate quote on your job. It also maintains clarity in communication between you and your contractor.