A Satisfying Clean – Just getting out the hose and washing your pavers isn’t always enough. Sometimes a powerwasher needs to be involved. This is a high-pressure hose with a rotating head that will remove about ¼” to ½” of dirt and sand in the grooves of the stones or bricks.
Small Repairs – Once the pavers are thoroughly cleaned and dried, which should only take a day or two, it’s time to fix any issues with the actually paver stones. This could be changing out a couple of chipped pieces, repairing any low spots, and more. Afterward, polymeric sand will be filled into all the joints to strengthen up the patio. Don’t add sand on a rainy day, this will not only be messy but also a waste of time. When wet, the sand will clump together and it won’t get deep down into the joints, becoming counterproductive to the process.
Mind the Eyes – It takes a little over a week for the sand to settle into its new home and get cozy with the pavers. After that, the pavers are given a light acid cleaning. Your paver area is then powerwashed one more time to get rid of any acid residue left over.
The Final Countdown – Really it’s just the last phase of this process. Once a day or so has passed it’s time to add the final seal. Spot treating those stubborn areas with some more polymeric sand will happen first as well as getting off anything that might compromise the seal. This might include bird droppings, bugs, worms, and more. The paver colors might determine the type of sealer used so be sure to verify with your hardscape. Generally, a seal will last about 3 years.
