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What's the best way to clean outdoor pavers?

Ben
Making a Splash

What's the best way to clean outdoor pavers?

Paver.pngMy pavers are looking a little tired. Over winter in particular they tend to build up a little mould on the surface. This dries out over summer but the dirty appearance remains. The Karcher helps a little but doesn't give an even result - plus it makes a bit of a mess by kicking up all the paving sand from in between the pavers. Any advice on getting them back to their original best?

Jackson
Making a Splash

Re: What's the best way to clean outdoor pavers?

@Ben - I think your best bet is to go with a specialty paver cleaner (bleach diluted in water can work too depending on the type of paver) and a stiff-bristled brush, then rinse with water. I'd steer clear of using the Karcher to rinse it as you don't want chemicals being blasted everywhere...

 

 

Jason
Community Manager
Community Manager

Re: What's the best way to clean outdoor pavers?

@Ben

 

Do you know if the pavers were sealed when they were installed?

 

Jason

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ProjectPete
Kind of a Big Deal

Re: What's the best way to clean outdoor pavers?

Glad you asked and keen to hear the replies because my pavers needed a tidy up so I hit them with the Karcher only to find afterwards that it left a bit of a patchy result depsite my best efforts of consistent blasting.

 

I went ahead and resealed them (last done 5 years ago) but not entirely happy with the result to be honest. So I'm going to have to reassess and see what I can do to improve them. The bricks really absorbed the sealant at very different rates.

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Handy and helpful
Instagram @projectpete.diy @at.home.rosehill @kayudesignco @aspirebamboo
Kermit
Amassing an Audience

Re: What's the best way to clean outdoor pavers?

@ProjectPete

 

Do you think you tried to reseal them before the pavers were completely clean? That could explain the patchy result with the sealant. 

Re: What's the best way to clean outdoor pavers?

Good thought @Kermit but no, I don't think so. Went over them twice with pressure cleaner. They're a charcoal colour. Off to Bunnings to find a cleaner, see how that goes
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Handy and helpful
Instagram @projectpete.diy @at.home.rosehill @kayudesignco @aspirebamboo
Andy_Mann
Former Community Member

Re: What's the best way to clean outdoor pavers?

If the pavers butt closely together, a high pressure cleaner is ideal, but it does deepend on what type of crud you have ingrained into them. If you have black mold, it can penetrate deeply & be hard to shift. I'd recommend diluting some liquid pool acid, apply it sparingly to the stubborn areas, let it stand for a few minutes, then rinse it with a fine spray from your hose until you feel that's all flushed away. Going over it again with the pressure cleaner should have it looking a treat.

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