Cleaning tips for pavers.
MAINTAINING
Perform regular maintenance of your pavement by removing stains with appropriate Techni-Seal cleaning products and sweaping occasionally with a rigid nylon brush.
If you hire a snow removal service, make sure the equipment used for the service is fitted with a non-metallic protector to prevent scratches and rust streaks caused by steel rubbing.
Most pavers, slabs and blocks are designed to resist weathering, gasoline, oil and most common deterioration factors. Applying sealant is therefore unnecessary to ensure their durability.
The purpose of sealants is to protect the concrete products against stains, to facilitate their maintenance and, depending on the selected sealant, to give them either a wet look or a satin natural look. The use of a sealant is thus a matter of taste and convenience.
However it is important to wait 60 days following installation of pavement and 30 days after filling gaps with polymeric sand, before applying a sealant. Wait for the coating to wear off completely before repeating the treatment again, usually every 3 or 4 years.
When you put down pavers it is very possible that it looks like it is covered of a white haze. This haze is called efflorescence. When the surface is wet it disappears and comes back again when dry.
This white powder comes from a chemical reaction that produces calcium hydroxide. It is a condition in all cement-based products. That natural reaction can go on for months and will stop when the supply of calcium hydroxide is exhausted.
Efflorescence will naturally disappear. Over time, rain water will wash and wear it away. There are cleaners that remove efflorescence but you have to wait until there is no more calcium hydroxide available to move to the surface of the pavers. This is why it is recommended to wait at least 60 days before sealing the product.
If you wish to apply a protective sealant on your pavers, it is essential to first clean the surface thoroughly. Make sure you follow manufacturers’ directions carefully.
CLEANING TIPS
– Efflorescence: It does not affect the quality or structural integrity of the concrete. To remove it use the Efflorescence Cleaner.
– Oil and grease: Sponge up excess with absorbent granules or rag. Remove residue with Dirt & Grease cleaner or even better the Professional Grade Oil & Grease remover.
– Rust: Use Rust Remover. Rust streaks caused by steel rubbing (snowplough) are very di cult to remove. The only way to take them off is to do a light sand blasting.
– Mortar: Let harden then carefully remove with a trowel, putty knife or chisel. Next, use Efflorescence Cleaner.
– Asphalt and tar: Remove excess with a scraper. Remove residue with Paint, Tar and Rubber Remover. Same for gum and caulking.
– Fresh paint: Sponge up excess taking care not to spread it. If paint is water-based, scrub residue with water and scouring powder and rinse. For dry stains or solvent-based paint, use Paint, Tar and Rubber Remover.
– Tire marks: Scrub stain with water and scouring powder and rinse. If marks persist use Dirt and Grease Cleaner with hot water and rigid nylon brush. Could also use Efflorescence Cleaner.
– Blood or food: Use heavy duty liquid detergent. If stain persists use Dirt and Grease Cleaner.
– Leaves, rotten wood and tobacco: Apply household bleach, scrub and rinse. (1 Javel / 10 water). Techni-Seal now produces an Organic Stain Cleaner.
– Clay: Scrape off dry material. Scrub with detergent and rinse with hot water.
– Citronnelle: Use Paint, Tar and Rubber Remover. If your pavers were not previously washed with the Efflorescence Cleaner, it would be preferable to do so after using the Remover otherwise the pavers will be speckled.
*Note: The Rust remover and Paint, Tar and Rubber remover also remove efflorescence. When applyied on pavers that were not previously washed with the Efflorescence Cleaner, these products will leave clean stains on the pavers.