How to Clean Block Paving: Tips to Remove Different Stains
Apr 13, 2023
Cleaning and maintaining your block paving is one of the most important things you have to do. This will keep your outdoor floors clean and beautiful for years to come. But cleaning your block pavers is a challenging task. You should follow some tips and guidelines to clean the surface. So, if you want to learn how to clean block paving, consider reading this article. Here, you’ll find the complete process of cleaning block paving and bringing back that beautiful look.
Apart from the basic cleaning method, you’ll also find step-by-step instructions to remove all the stubborn stains and treat efflorescence. But before moving forward, have a look at the tools and materials required to clean block paving.
Tools and Materials Required
Below you will find the list of tools and materials you will need while cleaning the block paving:
- Weed killer
- Kiln-dried sand
- Paver sealant
- Warm Water
- Protective Gloves
- Pressure washer or hose
- Stiff broom
- Bleach
- Driveway or outdoor cleaning product
How to Clean Block Paving?
You will require proper cleaning and maintenance if you have installed natural stone block pavers or any other block paving.
Cement stains, oil stains, tyre marks and other stubborn stains need to be cleaned to maintain the beautiful look of your block pavers, and the method of cleaning these different types of stains require different cleaning methods. So, below you’ll find the process of cleaning these different types of stains from your block paving.
Removing Oil Stains from Block Paving
Oil stains are one of the most stubborn stains your block pavers might experience. So, to clean these stains, you need to follow the below tips:
- First, pour the paving degreaser onto the oil stains and leave it for around 20 minutes. Once the paving degreaser starts to take effect, scrub the areas with a hard-bristle brush.
- Now fill a bucket with water and rinse the surface. If you find that your oil spills are still there, repeat the process until it is removed.
- Alternatively, washing-up liquid can remove oil stains from the surface. This is a good alternative as it absorbs and breaks down the oil’s composition.
- Baking soda is another excellent alternative to remove oil stains from block paving. Just apply it on the stain and leave it for a few hours to absorb the oil.
If you follow any of these tips, you will surely be able to remove oil stains from your block paving. However, you must also consider sealing your block paving, as this will keep the surface beautiful for years. You should learn how to seal block paving and follow the complete process.
How to Clean Lichens & Algae?
If you have installed block paving in your home, you might be concerned about the green mist that slowly covers the entire surface of your paving. You might also find black and white spots on the surface, i.e., lichens. So, how do you get rid of them and how to clean block paving?
Don’t worry; we’ve provided some important tips to remove lichens and algae/ moss from your block paving:
- The first and foremost thing you should remember is to wear protective gloves.
- Then, dilute warm water and bleach and mix them together. Once you are ready with the mixture, pour it over your algae and lichen-covered areas. Wait for a few minutes to see the result.
- After a few minutes, clean the surface with fresh water. This might have removed the algae and lichens away. If you find that the algae are still there, use a scrub with a hard-bristled brush and clean the surface using water. This will altogether remove the remaining algae or moss from the surface of your block paving.
- Lichens need a bit of hard work to remove from the surface. You need to repeat the above process several times until the surface is clean and free of lichens.
How to Remove Tyre Marks from the Surface?
If you have installed block paving in your driveways, you might see a lot of tyre marks on the surface. They ruin the look of your natural stone block paving, like sandstone, limestone, etc., and at the same time, they are difficult to remove. So, to help you remove these tough stains, consider following the below steps:
- To remove tyre marks from block paving, you should use hot water and detergent and mix them well.
- When you are ready with the mixture, scrub the surface with a soft-bristled brush. This will help clean the tyre marks from your block paving.
- However, if there are still tyre marks on the surface, you should use a power washer to remove them.
How to Clean Cement Stains?
Cleaning block paving might look daunting, especially if the surface has cement stains. If you have used products that contain cement, you might see a temporary discolouration once they are installed. This is what we call efflorescence. Don’t worry; it will disappear when time passes.
But if you want to speed up the process, you should follow the below-mentioned tips:
- If you want to remove the discolourations, consider using a proprietary biodegradable citric acid-based cleaner.
- To clean the surface, apply the solution on the surface and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- No matter the type of block paving you use, you should follow these tips properly to have a clean-looking surface. You can also consider reading clay pavers vs concrete pavers to know which type of material is best for your space.
Conclusion
If you follow the above-mentioned tips and guidelines, you will surely get a clean and fresh-looking surface. It’s a must to learn how to clean block paving to maintain the beautiful look of your outdoors for years to come.