In order to keep the appearance and quality of paving stones for the longterm, proper maintenance is of the essence. With a bit of care and frequent maintenance, your paving stones can keep their beauty and serve you for a long time. Read on to see how!
It’s advisable to always keep the surface of the paving stones clean. Leaves, plants or other objects can cause discoloration, that’s why we encourage you to clean the paving stones regularly. With the help of a broom or a leaf blower, it can quickly and easily be done. It might sound trivial, but this advice is as smart as it is easy: with regular cleaning, you can save time, energy and money since more serious discolorations can only be removed with special materials and a help of a professional.
Weeds might grow between the paving stones. These should be weeded out as soon as possible as the weeds’ roots might put a strain on the stones and jeopardize its structural stability. Pro tip: in order to decrease the likelihood of weed growing between the paving stones, it’s advisable to use geotextile when laying the stones.
As the weather can wear out the sand used as grout, It’s also a good idea to refill it from time to time. As the grout provides a flexible connection between the stones, the lack thereof might influence the statical stability and weight capacity of the paved area. For the perfect result, it’s recommended to refill the sand in several rounds so that it has time to settle between each sweeping.
It might sound obvious, but it’s also very important to make sure that there’s no unnecessary water coming in contact with the stones’ surfaces. It’s a good idea to make adjustments to the sprinkler system and have space for proper drainage to prevent or decrease limescale and long-term discoloration of the surfaces. You can read our article on limescale buildup here.
Even if your paving stones’ surface got discolored or faded, don’t worry! Discoloration and fading is caused by dust and dirt washed into the surface, but it can be removed. Your paving stones will be like new if you clean them with a high-preassure cleaner, or if you don’t have the equipment needed, you can always ask for professional help. After cleaning, don’t forget to check the level of grout, and refill the sand as needed.
During winter, choose your ice melt salt carefully. The wrong salt can discolor or even damage the surface of you paving stones. We recommend using calcium chloride ice melts for being not only effective, but gentle on the stones and on the environment as well.
If you keep the above in mind, we guarantee that your paving stones will be beautiful and functional for many years to come.