The grass is growing, the flowers are blooming, and you’re prepping for outdoor fun. If you have brick pavers on your property, they may need some sprucing up. Dedicate part of your weekend to the outdoors, and check out these tips for spring brick paver cleaning.
Pros and Cons of Pressure Cleaning for Brick Pavers
You can use a pressure washer to clean off your brick pavers. This is a quick way to blast weeds, dirt and stains away. Before you commit to that though, you need to consider the pros and cons.
Pressure washing is not ideal for older pavers. The high pressure may be too powerful for the pavers, causing them to break or crumble. The pressure may also push a lot of the sand out from between the pavers, which leads to more maintenance moving forward.
If your pavers are in good condition and you don’t put too much pressure on the sand joints, pressure washing should be just find. Prepare for a bit of a learning curve if this is your first time using a pressure washer. It takes a bit to get the hang of it. If you hire someone to clean your pavers for you, you won’t have to worry about that.
How to Clean Weeds and Grass between Pavers
To clean unwanted grass and weeds between pavers, you can use the pressure washer method above or you could pull them out by hand. There are special tools designed for paver joint cleaning, but a long flathead screwdriver could also do the trick. Make sure you’re pulling up the roots, not just the tops of the plants. This will prevent future growth.
Alternatively, you could put weed and grass killer down to kill off the plants for you. Some products are more effective than others, depending on the types of plants you’re dealing with. You may want to test a small patch on a paver to make sure the chemicals do not discolor the stones in any way. You should also verify that it is safe for pets, if your animals have access to the area.
Resand the Pavers after Cleaning
After cleaning your brick pavers, there will likely be a divot in your sand grout. Resanding will keep weeds away and help the pavers look clean and refreshed. You can purchase and install the sand yourself, or you could hire someone to restore your pavers for you. There are tons of paver sands on the market, so you can choose the color and price point that suits your needs.
Reset the Brick Pavers as Needed
If the pavers have shifted out of place, this might be the perfect time to reset them. Not only will this make the paving look better, but it will also leave less room for weeds to grow. It’s The Brick Guys offers brick paver setting, sanding and restoration services in Southeast Michigan. You can call (833) 627-4257 to schedule a quote or learn more about our brick paving solutions.
Use Routine Maintenance to Cut down on Spring Cleaning
To minimize spring brick paver cleaning in years to come, try to wash off your pavers periodically. Monitor weed and grass growth, and correct that at the earliest signs. Something as simple as sweeping your patio after a barbecue can reduce how much deep cleaning you need to complete.
And if you’re ready to replace your old pavers for new ones, give us a call! It’s The Brick Guys has a crew of experienced brick pavers equipped to transform your property.
