Picture this: the masons you hired nine long weeks ago finally laid the last brick on your new driveway. You can barely contain the elation that makes its way to your cheeks, as you know this will be the last day of listening to saws grinding brick, and having to park on the street. As the crew starts packing up their truck and the head mason begins making their way to your front door with the final invoice, you feel such a feeling of satisfaction in the look of the new driveway that you don’t mind paying the remaining balance, you even welcome it! When your mason is thanking you for your business and about to leave your front porch they say, “oh, don’t forget to maintain your driveway periodically”. Too confused to ask a follow-up question, you wonder internally, “what maintenance”?

Newly laid brick or stone driveways, patios, siding, you name it, have a vivid appearance. As time marches on, and if not maintained, their vibrancy decreases. Here are a few basic maintenance tips to keep your pavers looking their best:

Seasonal Maintenance
Each Spring season, it’s a good idea to clean your pavers. Start pulling any weeds growing between joints. Next, saturate your pavers with water. Then, in a bucket, pour paver cleaner (one recommended by the manufacturer or installer of your pavers) and use a coarse street/stable broom to scrub your pavers. If you would prefer to make your own cleaning solution, use warm water with a mild degreasing dish wash instead. Next, rinse the pavers and put a granular weed preventive between the joints. A power washer is not needed, but if you prefer to use one, be careful as generally, their standard pressure can be considered harsh for pavers and sealers; again, use with caution.

Every Few Years
It’s generally recommended to apply a sealer every three years. Be careful not to apply more than twice during the three year period as a heavy film can be created on the surface, which can change in color when exposed to sunlight, distorting the actual color of your pavers. The exception to this is if you decide to have a professional power-wash your pavers. In that case, it’s wise for you or your professional to consider applying a sealant application immediately after.

When considering annual maintenance for your pavers, it’s wise to hire an experienced mason or power washing company that is familiar with cleaning pavers. You can find high quality Masons and Power Washers on HutSolver. Simply take a picture of your project, post it, and start getting feedback and meeting high quality PROs.

Sign up to HutSolver – it’s free to join and use! We believe you’ll solve many of your home projects with creative ideas and knowledgeable Home Improvement PROs.

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