Soiling of paving stones - how to clean and prevent it

Paving stones are an aesthetically pleasing and durable material outdoor paving finishes. It is thanks to its characteristics that it has gained great popularity and is commonly found in gardens, courtyards and urban spaces. Because it is laid and used outdoors, it is exposed to a variety of dirt and adverse weather conditions.

We have put together a set of tips for dirt removal and pavement care.

Paving stones - beautiful after winter

Paving blocks is most exposed to dirt during autumn and winter. Unfavourable weather conditions, including frequent snow and ice, leaves, wilted plant residues, soil, sediment - all of these can negatively affect the appearance of paving stones.

Spring is the right time to renew our paving. In order to ensure that the pavement continues to please the eye after winter, it must be cared for properly.

The paving should be swept thoroughly, preferably with a stiff, hard brush, and any residue from the winter season such as sand, leaves or debris should be removed. A very effective solution is to use a pressure washer, which can clean the paving very thoroughly and quickly.

High water pressure removes most stains and dirt, without the need for chemicals.

How do you remove greasy stains from paving stones?

Grease stains (e.g. from car or edible oils) are unsightly and the most difficult to remove from paving. The most important factor affecting the end result of their removal is time.

The sooner we react, the better the chance of avoiding or at least minimising permanent staining on the paving surface. It is best to cover the oily stain on the paving stones with sand, which will absorb the oily liquid. We then rinse off the remaining dirt generously with warm water mixed with a household detergent (e.g. washing up liquid).

If the stains are particularly stubborn and our efforts are unsuccessful, we can reach for specialised chemicals with degreasing properties. However, special care must be taken when using them.

When using any chemicals, it is a good idea to check beforehand how the cube reacts in combination with the chosen agent so as not to cause unsightly discolouration on the material.

How to remove mosses and lichens from paving stones?

Moss on paving stones usually appears in the cracks between the cubes and on the surface. Its growth is favoured by high humidity and limited light access. When the pavement has poor permeability and little drainage, then this phenomenon increases. Mosses and green deposits should be removed from paving stones not only for aesthetic reasons.

Moss-covered pavers become very slippery and dangerous to use. It is therefore advisable to remove these deposits, above all for safety reasons. In this case, as in the care of paving stones after the winter, the use of a pressure washer is ideal.

Using a washer together with dedicated chemicals to help remove mosses and lichens and prevent their future growth will effectively get rid of unwanted deposits from paving.

Removal of post-renovation dirt from paving stones

Ideally, paving is the final stage of a property renovation or construction project. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. In such a situation, it is essential to take care of protection of paving stones against soiling.

This is because stains from mortar, paint or plaster are difficult to remove. When they appear, it is important to react as quickly as possible. The most effective way is to mechanically remove the dirt from the paving stones. However, care must be taken not to damage the surface of the paving stones.

However, if post-renovation stains prove impossible to remove using domestic methods, we are left with the option of having the paving stones sandblasted by a specialist professional.

How to remove lime efflorescence, white deposits from paving stones?

White deposits can appear on the surface of paving blocks. These are calcareous efflorescence - resulting from chemical and physical processes in concrete materials.

This is a natural phenomenonIf the deposits are exposed to water (e.g. rainfall), they rinse off and disappear on their own. However, if you do not want to wait for the rain and would like to get rid of the deposits more quickly, you can do so by using specialised acid-based chemicals. When doing so, remember to first check how the paving stones react to the agent used. The easiest way to do this is to apply the agent in a not very visible place and observe the possible reaction of the material.

Impregnation of paving stones

With a view to the good appearance of a paving stone surface, it is worth considering an impregnation treatment. This process involves coating the pavers with a specialised impregnant, which forms a protective layer on their surface and prevents excessive penetration of water and dirt.

Paving preservatives have many advantages. They reduce moisture absorption - which increases the frost resistance of the paving blocks, protects against colour fading and reduces the appearance of lime efflorescence, as well as moss and lichen growth.

Concrete paving stones are in themselves a functional material, durable and highly resistant to adverse weather conditions and damage. If you follow the above advice from our experts, you will be able to maintain a high quality of use and your paving stone surface will be pleasing to the eye for many years.

Read also: Your own piece of flooring - a practical and durable concrete terrace

How do you look after your paving stones after winter?

After the winter, the paving should be swept thoroughly, preferably using a stiff, hard brush to remove residues from the winter season such as sand, leaves and debris. Alternatively, a pressure washer can be used to effectively clean the pavement without the use of chemicals.

How do you remove greasy stains from paving stones?

Greasy stains are best covered with sand to absorb the grease and then rinsed generously with warm water mixed with household detergent. For tough stains, specialised chemicals with degreasing properties can be used with caution.

How do you get rid of mosses and lichens?

To remove mosses and lichens, it is recommended to use a pressure washer, possibly with the addition of dedicated chemicals to help remove and prevent their growth.

How to deal with post-renovation dirt?

Post-renovation dirt is best removed mechanically, taking care not to damage the paving. In the case of persistent soiling, sandblasting by a specialist can be used.