Winter Grime: Should You Pressure Wash Your Pavers?

Spring has sprung, and it’s time to clean inside and outside your home. Like most Maryland homeowners, you’ll notice some winter grime has accumulated on your patio, walkways, and even around your exterior walls where the patio meets your home. This case is especially true if your patio has shade during the winter.

Before renting a pressure washer or scheduling someone to come pressure wash for you, you’ll want to read this blog. Pressure washing can do more harm than good regarding your paver patio, walkways, and driveway. It’s an excellent idea to try other methods of removing winter grime before using a pressure washer.

Weed, Sweep, and Spray First

If you have any weeds growing in the sand joints between your pavers, pull them by hand. Then get out a push broom and put some muscle into it. You’d be surprised at how much better your concrete pavers will look after simply giving them a good sweep; it will remove dust, dirt, and debris. 

After sweeping, use a garden hose with a hose attachment set to jet to wash away moss or minor mildew build-up gently. Be careful not to spray at the sand between the pavers, as that can loosen them. 

If You Use a Pressure Washer, Do It Right

If the gentler methods don’t work to remove winter grime, you can use a pressure washer or hire a company specializing in pressure washing. However, remember, inexperienced homeowners and handypersons can damage your pavers by using a pressure setting that’s too high or holding a wand too close to the pavers. 

This scenario can cause pitting and uneven coloration by removing the top layer of a paver, which is where most of the color is. High-pressure settings can also remove the sand from the joints between the pavers.

Hire a professional with experience in cleaning pavers. Ask them what psi they will use. It should be between 1000 and 1500 psi, gentler than the standard setting for slab concrete. Better yet, they may have a rotary, walk-behind surface cleaner to clean your pavers without disturbing the joints.

Lastly, if you pressure wash your pavers, you should plan on applying sealant after they have thoroughly dried out. The sealant will protect your pavers for 3-5 years, keeping your patio, walkways, and driveway looking great. 

Belgard has some great tips for year-round paver maintenance to help you keep your property looking its best.

Make It Exceptional. Make It Woodfield.

Are you ready to upgrade your outdoor living space? Whether you want to expand your patio, install a new inground pool, add an outdoor kitchen, or all of the above, ensure you get the exceptional experience you deserve. That’s what we deliver. 

We provide custom outdoor living design and installation services for homeowners throughout the Baltimore area, including Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Cecil County, Harford County, and Howard County. Schedule a call today.