In recent years, many people have turned to brick pavers to make their driveways, walkways, and patios look more stylish. Brick pavers are indeed an attractive and modern take on paved surfaces. One reason for their appeal is that they can be made in a variety of shapes, designs, and colors. That way, they can match any aesthetic. They also allow water to pass between the bricks to prevent standing water which prevents damage and pests. And the better maintained your pavers are, the more value they add to your home. In order to keep your brick pavers looking their best, it is important that they be regularly cleaned and maintained. But proper maintenance is key or else you could be doing more harm than good. Below we will be discussing how to properly care for your brick pavers.

Step One

To start with it is important to begin by removing any furniture, plants, or other decorations from the brick pavers. You want to have the entire surface free of any obstacles to the cleaning process. This not only makes the cleaning itself easier, but it also protects these items from any chemicals you may need to use in the cleaning process. If you have any nearby landscaping that cannot be moved away from the pavers, cover it with a tarp to protect it.

Step Two

If your brick pavers have weeds growing up in between the cracks, gently remove them and treat the area so they do not regrow. Take note of any areas where the filler sand between the cracks comes out with the weeds. Once the cleaning is done, you will need to replace the filler sand to restore and stabilize your brick pavers.

Step Three

Gently sweep the brick pavers of any loose debris. If you notice any areas where moss or dirt is thickly caked onto the brick surface, you can use a stiff bristle brush to scrub the surface and loosen them from the surface. This will make cleaning later on much easier.

Step Four

Time to get to the actually cleaning. First, spray down the brick pavers with water. This prevents the soap from soaking into the pavers. Then use a gentle cleaning solution, our recommendation is a simple mixture of dish soap and water, to pour over the surface of the bricks. Then use a stiff broom or brush to scrub the pavers. Once all the pavers have been rinsed, rinse with clean water. If you stay on top of regular cleanings, then this should be all that your brick pavers need. However, if you just moved into a new house and the brick pavers have not been well-maintained, then you may want to consider a power washer. Keep in mind that a power washer will remove more sand from between the bricks, so that means you will need to backfill even more.

Step Five

In order to re-sand your pavers, take a small amount of your sand and pour it over a section of pavers. Use a broom to sweep the sand over the area making sure to get into every crevice. Continue until all the seams between your brick pavers are filled. Once this is done, use a fine mist setting on your hose to wet the sand and bricks, allowing the sand to settle into all the spaces between your pavers. Your goal here is to simply moisten the surface, not to wash away all your hard work.

In Conclusion

For help with cleaning your brick pavers or if you would like to have them sealed for further protection from the elements, contact Hicks APC for all your brick paver needs.