Keeping Your Pavers Looking Great
Once you’ve had your brick pavers installed, the goal becomes making them look as new as possible – for as long as possible. You’ve put a lot of time and effort (and money) into researching and hiring the right paver company, the types of pavers that work best for your project including proper colors, textures, paver placement and more. You want your investment to last.
Even the best pavers can become worn and unsightly over time. This is usually a result of harsh weather conditions including excessive heat, sun and rain, as well as foot traffic and ground cover that’s weakened or shifted from tree roots or ground settling. Your pavers may actually become dirty, moldy, or faded after just a few months. While much of this is considered normal wear and tear, there are steps you can take to make your brick pavers look better and last longer. Here are some tips to get you started.
Since most pavers are outdoors, they understandably get dirtier over time. It is recommended that you regularly spray the area with a hose, making sure to target any crevices and joints in particular. If you have already sealed your pavers with a hard seal finish or have used polymeric sand, it is likely your pavers will need to be pressure washed, which is a great way to keep your pavers looking fresh.
Periodic Sanding of Pavers
When installing brick pavers, you probably haven’t realized that you’ll need to periodically replace the sand that fills the spaces between the pavers – sand that will harden when moistened to form a secure bond and surface. Proper sanding is an important step in attaining a great looking patio or walkway, since it aids in the prevention of weeds and the protection of the pavers themselves. Using the proper fill sand can also helping hold the pavers in place, preventing unevenness and shifting. A professional paver company is an excellent option to handle this type of maintenance. They can also properly clean your pavers and gently sand the overall paver area.
Paver Sealing
Sealing your pavers is a process that should be done at least every 3-5 years, depending on the amount of exposure to the sun, water pooling, weathering and damage, or amount of foot traffic. This helps prevent color fading and surface corrosion, keeps the sand joints from washing out, and helps deter weeds and insects from compromising the joints. It is also recommended that you clean your pavers periodically by spraying them with a water hose and sweeping with a bristled broom.
