Brick pavers add a beautiful touch to homes and hardscapes while simultaneously serving an extremely helpful purpose for walkways, patios, and driveways. Most of the time, these hardscapes can be cleaned with a brush or broom, but pressure washing may be required once in a while.
Pressure washing brick pavers help to clean them and remove any dirt or debris thoroughly. However, if not done the right way, pressure washing can potentially damage brick pavers. If you are considering doing a deep cleanse of your walkway, driveway, or patio made of brick pavers, continue reading to find out if it’s safe and what you can do to enhance their durability post washing.
What Is Pressure Washing?
Before discussing how pressure washing can damage brick pavers, let’s get the facts straight first about what exactly pressure washing is. It involves deep cleaning of hard and flat surfaces with the help of a machine that expels water at extremely high pressure. This force helps to get rid of stubborn stains, particularly those left by grease or oil.
How Can Pressure Washing Be Damaging?
Pressure washing brick pavers is something that most people do because it provides a thorough cleaning job to your walkways and driveways. However, when done by an inexperienced individual, it could be dangerous. Here are some of the potential damages pressure washing can cause:
1. Pitting and Grooves
If not intentionally part of your hardscape and instead caused through pressure washing, pitting and grooves can be unsightly and unaesthetic. They can be caused when you aim the pressure washing nozzle towards one spot for too long.
2. Cracking and Chipping of Hard Surfaces
If you point the nozzle of your pressure washing in the wrong direction or incorrectly, you might cause chipping and cracking hard surfaces like brick pavers. This usually happens when an amateur handles the washer.
3. Removal of Grout and Fillers
The biggest danger from pressure washing comes from the fact that it efficiently removes the sand fillers or grouts between brick pavers. As a result, the structural integrity of your area is compromised.
Pressure Washing Brick Paver Tips
Pressure washing can be extremely helpful in removing dirt and stains from the surface. It is quick and budget-friendly. However, if an inexperienced individual who does not understand the basics of pressure washing handles the machinery, it can be potentially damaging. If you are handling this job yourself, here are some helpful tips to look out for:
- Do not stay in one spot for too long or point the nozzle in the same direction or spot
- Make sure that you have chosen the proper nozzle with the right angle for your particular area and brick pavers; you can contact a professional for this help
- Keep the nozzle at least twelve inches away from the pavers
- Avoid directly spraying the joints as it will wash away the fillers
- Learn from a professional about how to properly operate the machinery
Final Words
If your hardscapes are too dirty and you have never done a pressure washing job, it might be wise to leave it to the professionals. This would be a much safer option for the long-term durability and functionality of your brick pavers. If you’re looking for such experienced professionals to help you with this job, don’t hesitate to contact Platinum Pavers.
