How to Maintain Your Paving
Keen to keep your paving in the best condition possible throughout the year? There are actually a few ways you can do so that don’t require a lot of work. So long as you regularly maintain your paving, you’ll be able to keep them looking amazing across the year, and this guide will show you where you can start.
General cleaning
There are a few ways you can keep your paving clean and fresh all year round:
- Power washing: If you own a power washer, it can be the easiest way to give your paving a thorough clean without causing any damage. You may have been recommended soap and water to clean your paving stones, but your cleaner should be acid free in order to keep your paving free of any damage. If your paving is more delicate, we recommend scrubbing the paving tiles individually and then using a power wash or a hose to wash away the soap once you’ve finished.
- Weeding: Nasty weeds grow everywhere! But preventing them from returning is key - pull weeds out from the root so that they don’t come back but also consider using weed killer. Read the instructions before using weed killer so that you’re not damaging your paving or nearby parts of the garden in the process.
- Brushing: A simple yet effective way of keeping your driveway or paving stones free from dust, grime and other debris is clearing them away every so often. You’d be surprised what ends up on your paving!
Sealing & protecting paving stones
Your paving area needs to be clean before you go about sealing or resealing your paving. Once you’ve done the above steps, you can now look at joining material.
- Thoroughly wet the paving stones: Start with a bone dry surface first, then begin to cover the stones with water. For the best results, use a hose or a low-pressure water spray. Make sure each slab is saturated with water and that there’s an even distribution between each paving stone.
- Apply jointing compound: A jointing compound usually comes in what looks like a bag of thick sand. Pour it onto the paving stones and then begin to brush the material in between each stone. We recommend a large broom with thick bristles for this job; ensure each part of the paving stones has a coat of sealant.
- Add a second coat: You may want to add an additional coat if you’re finding the first coat isn’t reaching the top of your paving stones. Follow the same process as above: ensure the paving is completely dry before adding more jointing compound.
Keep your paving fresh all year round
It’s often a big part of your garden or driveway that can be easily maintained and cleaned all year round. Resealing is also a job that can be done at home with minimal fuss, that should be done every few years when following the manufacturer’s recommendations.
With a little upkeep each year you can keep your paving looking great around the year no matter what the weather or the circumstances. And if you’re looking for new inspiration for paving, take a look at our range of paving supplies.
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