How To Clean Block Paving

If you’re looking for ways to keep your driveway or patio clean, then you needn't look any further! Our latest blog is all about how to clean block paving so you can keep it looking as good as new for as long as possible.

How do I clean block paving?

A lot can be said for a bit of elbow grease, and that definitely applies here. You'll need to arm yourself with a clean stiff brush and some hot soapy water or an acid-free soap-based floor cleaning product, and get to work!

You could also look at applying a weed preventative between the joints of your block paving in order to stop any unwanted weeds growing, and then re-sand and re-point any joints if necessary.

It's worth noting that if you are opting for a power washer (to help make life a little easier) then you should angle it at 30° and spray it diagonally on a medium pressure.

How do I remove stains?

Different stains and spillages will require different treatments, but whenever you go to treat any area you should test a small section first by following the manufacturer’s instructions closely. 

You should also try to find the source of the stain e.g. rust from an old watering can, or oil from a leaking engine, and repair it. This way you'll be preventing any further staining. 

How do I treat my paving with chemicals or acids?

Always make sure you wear protective clothing and that there is sufficient ventilation when using chemicals. 

When diluting acids, always remember to add acid to water and not water to acid. The reason being that acid and water react in a vigorous exothermic reaction, which releases heat and can even sometimes boil the liquid. If you add acid to water, the water is unlikely to splash up, but if it did, it's less likely to hurt you than if you add water to acid. 

If any of your clothes have been stained with chemicals while treating your paving, then make sure you safely dispose of them along with any excess run off material. 

Prevention is the best cure

If you want to keep on top of your paving then prevention really is key here. Trying to tear out weeds, or rub off old stains is much harder work than a basic wash-down with soapy water every now and again. Plus, you'll be surprised at how ‘new’ it looks again.

There is the option of sealing your paving, but we believe that there should be a good reason to do this, otherwise leave it be. (The one exception being black limestone, because if it is left unsealed, the deepest grey colouring which originally attracts so many will fade in sunlight and in a relatively short time it becomes a much paler steel grey.)

So, if you follow the above then hopefully your block paving will keep on looking its best all year round, but if you feel its gone past the point of no return then shop our range of block paving now.