DI Editorial Team & Writers
Check out our paver patio maintenance tips which include the effective ways of cleaning and preventing moss growth on brick and stone paver patios.
If you’re looking to revamp your backyard or outdoor landscape, installing a beautiful paver patio might just do the trick.
Natural stones, bricks, and other materials typically make up the paver patios seen in most homes. With the wide range of patterns, textures, and hues these materials can give, you’ll be sure to have a beautiful backyard.
Besides the beauty it adds, a paver patio appeals to homeowners due to several other reasons. For one, it’s affordable. It’s also more durable than concrete surfaces.
Finally, a paver patio is flexible and can adjust to soil movement, thus reducing the chances of cracks. All of these said, paver patios need proper maintenance.
How to Maintain a Paver Patio
Paver patios go through rough wear and tear. Footprints, liquid stains, and other dirt accumulate on the pavers over time.
Not to mention the harmful UV rays, moisture, and rain that they’re typically exposed to.
So, how do you make sure your paver patio remains in good condition?
Well, some paver patios need special care depending on their material. But regardless of this, two steps apply to all: regular cleaning and sealing.
Regular cleaning of paver patios entails sweeping off dirt as well as washing and lightly scrubbing the pavers. This helps prevent the growth of moss, weeds, and mildew.
Sealing pavers provide an extra protective layer on the surface. Keep in mind that you need to check which sealer you should use on the surface.
A water-based sealer works well on paver patios with sand. It hardens the sand and further prevents anything from penetrating between the joints of the pavers.
Meanwhile, a solvent-based sealer turns the hue of the stones darker. It also produces a glossy finish, which is sometimes referred to as the “wet look”. This type of sealer works well on non-porous or smooth surfaces.
Aside from improving the visual appeal of your paver patio, sealers reduce the need for cleaning and prevent any or further damage.
As mentioned, some types of paver patios may require other forms of maintenance. Let’s look into these more closely below.
Stone Paver Patio Maintenance
Stone pavers are made up of a mosaic of different stones like bluestone, travertine, or cobble, to name a few. That said, stones with different sizes mean different weights.
Heavier stones can sink and result in an uneven stone paver patio. When this occurs, your paver patio becomes a trip hazard.
This is usually the case on grounds that have too much clay. When installing a paver stone patio, make sure the base is more sandy.
You may also encounter the growth of weeds and moss between the joints of the stones. Open joints attract insects and can thus encourage burrowing.
Regular cleaning and resanding prevent these problems. Resanding allows for better binding and so protects against insects as well as the growth of weeds and moss.
You can also spray cleaning products with benzalkonium chloride on the surface.
Brick Paver Patio Maintenance
The warm tones of bricks make for an attractive paver patio. A brick paver patio is also easy to install and is the top choice for homeowners who want to DIY their patios.
Protect your investment with proper maintenance. You can start by applying a sealer, which prevents sand erosion, staining, and color fading.
While you’re at it, be sure to use sealers made for brick pavers. Like other paver patios, bricks are also prone to mildew, moss, and weeds so sealing them is a must.
Brick Paver Patio Maintenance with Sand
When pouring sand along the joints, you can use regular sand or opt for polymeric sand or poly-sand. Poly-sand is more expensive than regular sand.
But the quartz and crystalline silica it contains result in better binding. Better binding also helps in locking the bricks in place.
Resanding is usually required as rain or a regular cleaning brush off the sand. If you’re using regular sand, it is best to re-pour sand every two years or as soon as you notice cracks.
If that’s too much work for you, then consider investing in poly-sand. Although more expensive, going this route can save you from re-sanding for up to 10 years.
Whichever sand you use, it is also advised to fortify it with a sealer.
Cleaning Paver Patios
When cleaning your patio pavers, a good old power washer can make a difference. The pressure from the power washer is effective in removing dirt and grime on the surface.
Do note that certain power washers should be used for certain surfaces. This is vital as other strong power washers can destroy your pavers.
Address growths, insects, and grime by scrubbing the pavers every once in a while. Before brushing, consider applying any of these solutions:
- Water and white vinegar
- Dishwashing soap and water
- Bleach or specially formulated soap
The first two options are effective if you have little to no dirt and growth on the surface. Otherwise, you will need a specially formulated chemical. These are readily available in the market.
When cleaning patio pavers, you may also need to remove all the sand before resanding to uproot the weeds embedded in the ground. That said, it’s possible to clean your patio pavers without removing the sand.
How to Clean Paver Patios Without Removing Sand
Start with applying watered-down oxygenated bleach on the pavers. Let this liquid formula sit for at least 15 minutes to sterilize the surface and make scrubbing easier for you.
To avoid washing off the sand, do not point the power wash on the joints. Needless to say, you can always top the joints with sand if some of it were washed away.
Preventing Moss Growth On Paver Patio for Maintenance
Your paver patio may lose its appeal and can be a slip-hazard if moss starts to grow. Moss also tends to hold moisture, which can cause cracks on your paver.
Before tackling this problem, it is crucial to differentiate your moss. Lawn moss is not the same as moss that grows on hard surfaces.
Knowing what type of moss you’re dealing with will inform you on what kind of product you can use best to kill it.
You can also try using the home remedies stated above. These include dish-washing liquid and water or water mixed with a bleach-based formula.
Since moss thrives in shaded and wet places, try to keep your paver patio dry. Don’t forget the two-step process of sealing your pavers and regularly cleaning them.
