Preserving Your Pavers: Protect Them From Debris
If you have pavers in your backyard for a patio, walkway or garden area, you know how beautiful and functional they can be. However, if you fail to keep up with maintenance, they will fall victim to staining, pitting, and cracking from debris and the effects of weather. It’s a fact of life: people will spill wine, soda, and food on your pavers. Nature will drop acorns, falling limbs, leaves and pine needles on your pavers. You can’t really avoid all that, but you can take some preventive measures to ensure these decorative exterior surfaces withstand abuse from the environment, people, pets and weather.
Regular TLC
We recommend sealing your pavers to keep those small pits and stains from ruining them. Although you may have had your pavers sealed when you originally installed them, that sealant doesn’t last forever. You should thus reseal pavers every three to five years. If you don’t, moisture such as rainwater and beverages will cause dulling and staining. First you’ll need to give your pavers a deep clean, then you’ll need to reseal them. The experts here at Twelve Oaks Landscape can help you with this important task, but here’s a little DIY tutorial on how to do this on your own.
Step 1: Remove Stains
Removing stains from the surface of your pavers is key. Because every type of stain has a different chemical property, from red wine to rust to grease, you’ll have to choose the right cleaning product for that stain. Look for high-quality concrete paver stain removal products at the local hardware store. You can apply this cleaner via a garden hose or low-pressure power washer.
Step 2: Clean The Surface
Now that all the deep-set stains have been removed, it’s time to prep the surface for sealing. Use a special paver cleaner to get the ground-in dirt out of the paver grooves. Simply spray this cleaner onto the surface, scrub with a broom, and then rinse it all away with a harden hose. Let dry for at least a day.
Step 3: Seal the Pavers
You have many options when it comes to sealants: matte finish, semi-gloss and wet-look. Don’t attempt this step until you know it won’t rain for at least 24 hours and the temperature won’t plunge below 50°F. It’s also a good idea to shut off your automatic sprinklers. Apply the sealant in small sections, moving outward and expanding the treatment area when you are satisfied with the results. It’s easiest to spray the sealer on, then roll it out evenly with a paint roller. Once dry, apply a second coat.
Once the last coat has been applied, check the manufacturer instructions for drying times. Do not replace patio furniture or walk on the pavers until they are completely dry.
Of course, we always recommend a professional perform paver sealing for the best results. Schedule an appointment with Twelve Oaks Landscape Co. today at (256) 208-5634 or use our contact form before the weather gets too cold. We can help you protect your pavers for long-lasting enjoyment!
