A paver patio is one that is made up of pavers, which are traditionally bricks and stones tightly fitted in order to create a patio with or without a walkway. Paver patios are decorative and are always unique, which makes them very popular. However, when paver patios become stained and dirty, cleaning them can be a bit of a hassle. Because of this, many homeowners contact professionals to handle things.
How Pavers are Installed
Pavers aren’t like bricks-and-mortar; instead, they’re framed up like concrete and sand is poured between to fill in the gaps and stabilize the pavers’ movement. There are several different types of sand that provide stabilization, including general purpose sand, and Polymeric sand. General purpose sand is typically the cheaper option as there’s nothing particularly special about it and it comes in a variety of colors designed to match your pavers. This type of sand will fill the grooves of your patio, but will have to be replaced often. Alternatively, many contractors and installers will use stabilizing Polymeric sand, which expands and locks into place once it is properly hydrated. This can be beneficial during the initial installation, as well as maintaining the appearance and foundation of your patio.
Understanding Paver Restoration
Removing dirt, grime, and debris from pavers is often referred to as “paver restoration”. This dirt and debris can make pavers look old, worn, and downright unattractive. A complete restoration involves cleaning the pavers with a pressure washer, releveling areas that have settled over time, and even sealing the pavers, if this is desired. Pressure washing can remove set-in stains and grime from the pavers, but it may also wash away some of the sand. While it washes away quite a bit of general purpose sand, it can only remove ½ to ¾ inches of stabilizing sand. Re-sanding a paver patio is very important; without doing so, you may lose some stability in your paver patio and the pavers may begin to separate.
How to Re-Sand
Following the rest of the paver restoration process, it becomes necessary to add sand between the pavers in order to keep them balanced. One of the best ways to maintain the stability of your patio, and prevent your pavers from shifting, is to apply Polymeric stabilizing sand. Polymeric sand is a joint locking material used in place of regular sand to stabilize pavers, stone or blocks. Made from a mixture of sand and special additives, it is designed to harden with moisture. Once hardened, it will prevent wash-out, it will lock-in paver sand and inhibit weed growth. The installation of stabilizing sand is almost identical to using regular general purpose sand except for the application of water. Once the patio surface has been cleaned and allowed time to dry, you fill the paver joints with the mix of Polymeric Sand, and apply a coating of water. Once the bond sets, it becomes very firm and locks between the paver joints while still retaining flexibility and providing a long lasting, durable jointing material.
Finding the Right Company
Fortunately, if you’re in the market for paver patio restoration, there are companies like Eco-Clean who can help. These individuals can not only pressure wash your paver patio and restore it to its original look, but they will also re-sand it, paying close attention to the sand type that was used during installation. They are experienced with both general purpose and stabilizing sand, which means they can make the right choice based on your unique needs.
No matter how your paver patio was installed, re-sanding following a cleaning or restoration is very important for keeping your patio looking like new. Using the right sand is vital, and installing it correctly is important, as well. Hiring a professional company to restore your patio will save you time and money, and preserve the longevity and appeal of your pavers. Contact Eco-Clean to schedule your free patio restoration estimate.