Cleaning paving stones may seem difficult, but with the right methods it can be done effectively and without damage. In our article you will find a practical step-by-step guide that will help you restore your paving stones to their original shine. How to wash paving stones without damaging them? We give you a hint!
1. Cleaning paving stones – choosing the right weather conditions
When cleaning pavement, the right weather is very important. When to wash paving stones? It is best when the temperature is at least 5 degrees, although it is worth doing it on slightly warmer days. The recommended periods are spring and early summer. In summer, it is best to clean the pavement in the early morning or evening. Why? At such times, the sunlight is less and does not cause the cube to heat up.
The temperature will also be lower in the morning and evening. This is important because too high a temperature will adversely affect the cleaning process and the working solution that will be used during washing will evaporate too quickly.
2. Preparing the cube for cleaning
Effective cleaning of paving stones requires proper surface preparation . To achieve the best results, any impurities, such as sand or small dirt, should be removed before starting the actual work. This can be done manually, using a brush with dense bristles, which allows for effective removal of sand particles. In the case of larger surfaces, it is recommended to use a sweeper, which will thoroughly clean the paving stones.
3. Removing weeds and green growth from paving stones
The next step is to remove moss, green growths and weeds between the stones. Before starting a deeper cleaning, it is necessary to get rid of these contaminants. How to remove moss from paving stones? To remove any green growths, the ideal solution is to use Clinex ALG . This is a specialized preparation designed to remove this type of contamination from paving stones and more. Appropriate dilution of the preparation will be needed. The working solution should be prepared in a concentration of 80-100 ml per 1 L of water, then evenly spread on the paving stones and wait at least 15 minutes (recommended several hours, e.g. overnight), and then washed off with water under pressure. Clinex ALG, apart from removing green coatings, also creates a protective layer that protects and limits the conditions for their re-formation.
The product can be used for cleaning using cleaning accessories for pressure washers. After the recommended time, rinse the entire surface with pressurized water. Using a pressure washer can help remove weeds from cracks quickly and effectively. The cleaned paving stones should be left to dry completely before removing stains and target dirt.
We wrote more on this topic in our guide on how to remove green deposits .
4. Removal of stubborn dirt and stains
After the paving stones are completely dry and the green coatings are removed, we can proceed to the next step. This time, cleaning the paving stones will involve removing stains and dirt. Where to start? Clinex S5 APC OUT will perfectly cope with this task. This is a specialist, multi-purpose cleaning agent with strong degreasing properties that effectively removes even the most stubborn dirt. This is an alkaline preparation for thorough and ongoing cleaning. For this reason, it is perfect for removing stains from paving stones. In addition to washing paving stones, it is also intended for cleaning roofs, elevations and building facades from tar dirt, atmospheric dirt and streaks.
How to clean paving stones with S5 APC OUT? Shake the product thoroughly before use. To clean roofs, it is recommended to prepare a working solution in the proportion of 100–200 ml of the product per 1 liter of water, depending on the intensity of the dirt. Apply the prepared solution evenly to the roof surface using a pressure or foaming device. Leave on the surface for about 1 minute, then rinse thoroughly with clean water under pressure.
5. Washing paving stones – oil and grease stains
Another challenge may be removing oil and grease stains from paving stones . This type of stubborn dirt penetrates deeply into the structure of the material. To effectively remove it, it is recommended to use a cleaning agent with strong penetrating properties. The recommended agent is Clinex Anti-Oil , which was developed specifically for removing oil stains. It is used primarily for cleaning heavily soiled floors, for example in car workshops or production halls.
Find out more, read how to clean a greasy floor !
6. Protection of paving stones
After it has dried completely, you can start making any repairs to the paving stones, as well as filling the sand in the gaps between the stones. During pressure washing of the paving stones, a significant amount of sand is washed out by the pressure of the water . For this reason, it is worth filling it up after cleaning.
7. Impregnation of paving stones
After cleaning the paving stones, you can also impregnate them. Why do this? Impregnation is intended to protect the paving stones against the penetration of dirt and grime into the micropores. Thanks to this, the surface remains clean for longer, becomes more resistant to difficult weather conditions and easier to maintain. Impregnation also has a positive effect on aesthetics – emphasizing the natural color of the paving stones.
Mistakes When Cleaning Paving Stones
When cleaning paving stones, several mistakes can be made that negatively affect the effectiveness and durability of the work performed. The most common include: cleaning in unfavourable weather conditions, improper surface preparation, using the wrong water pressure and not following the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding the dilution of cleaning agents or their exposure time. Avoiding these mistakes ensures an effective cleaning effect and extends the life of the paving stones.
Tips for cleaning paving stones from a Clinex expert
We hope that this article has shed some light on the issues related to effective cleaning of paving stones. Regular cleaning and maintenance guarantee long-term durability and aesthetic appearance of the surface, which is crucial for maintaining the value of the property.
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