10/04/2022
PaveWorx (Pty) Ltd
PAVING CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE GUIDE
Cleaning & Maintenance of Paving
Regular maintenance and good cleaning practices will enhance the overall appearance of your paving.
General Cleaning of Paving
Regularly hosing and sweeping will not only keep the paving looking tidy, but it will also prevent w**ds from taking root, as they do when seeds are allowed to germinate in the debris that collects in between the pavers.
Hose down the paving and sweep it with a stiff-bristled outdoor broom on a regular basis to clear dirt and debris.
Weeds on Paving
It is a common misconception that w**ds grow from underneath the paving. This may occur in rare instances; however w**ds almost always grow from seeds and bird droppings that land in paving joints from above. Regular hosing and sweeping of the paved area will prevent w**ds from growing as it disturbs newly emerging w**ds before they are fully established.
Stain removal & Spot Treatments
Oil stains: As soon as the stain appears dab excess spillage with an absorbent cloth or towel. Then remove the stain with soap, water and a brush. Ensure that all residues are washed away with hot water.
Scuff marks from vehicle tyres: These marks can normally be removed by scrubbing the area with hot water and a strong detergent. Remember to rinse thoroughly.
Smoke, fire and to***co stains: Stains like this can normally be removed by scrubbing with hot soapy water. If the stain is persistent, apply a mild bleach solution and then rinse the area with clean water, taking care to dispose of the run-off safely.
Paving Maintenance tips
Inspect paving on a quarterly basis:
This is done to check for any loose, damaged or stained paving, and to ensure that the jointing material is intact.
Sealing of block paving
We strongly advise only sealing concrete products six months after installation in order for products to cure fully on site and for possible efflorescence to take its course.
It must be expected that sealants may have an effect on the colour of the paving, its slip/skid resistance and may require on-going maintenance during the life of the paving. It is also important that the surface of the units is dry, clean and efflorescence-free before any sealer is applied.
Benefits of sealing your paving
• Improving its appearance
• Under some circumstances, prolonging its life
• Helping to seal the jointing material
• Inhibiting w**d growth
• Stain prevention (especially from oil based stains)
Efflorescence
The white film that might appear on the surface of concrete, clay and natural stone products is called efflorescence.
Apart from the discoloration, efflorescence is harmless. It is best described as being a temporary skin problem and not a deep-seated disease.
How it occurs?
Efflorescence is a natural phenomenon that occurs through a complex chemical or physical process or a combination of the two.
The Cure
We believe the best cure for efflorescence is to just leave it as it will go away with time.
From experience we know that some paving installations have had efflorescence for a few weeks only, while others have been affected for months. Sometimes efflorescence is recurring and sometimes it happens only once. Therefore one can never predict the outcome of a specific site. What we do know however is that it is temporary.
When you “Google” (Remove efflorescence), there are around 260,000 results. Most of them recommend washing the affected material with a weak acid solution. It might however re-appear within a day. As mentioned, man can’t force nature to change.
