Cleaning paving stones - you must check these ways!
Cleaning paving stones - you must check these ways!

Cleaning paving stones - you must check these ways!

Paving stones are a very common building material from which driveways, sidewalks, bicycle paths, and many more surfaces are laid for domestic and public use. It is resistant to weather conditions and loads, you can create interesting color patterns from it. Unfortunately, over time, this surface becomes dirty and loses its aesthetic value. Then it becomes necessary to clean the paving stones regularly. This treatment, together with the proper care of the surface, will make it look better and keep its original color for longer. So what to clean paving stones? Are there ways to get it done quickly, efficiently, and cheaply? Let's check it!

TYPES OF POLLUTION ON THE STONE CUBE

Cobblestones, like any other utility surface, become dirty over time. It is especially visible in the autumn and winter season, when water, snow, fallen leaves, and branches leave stains on its surface that are difficult to remove quickly. Moss is a frequent, although less problematic, contamination of paving stones, which is especially visible in very damp places. For this reason, spring is the best time to wash paving stones.
 
The situation is much more complicated in the case of frequently used surfaces, e.g. sidewalks, parking lots, maneuvering yards, etc. Owners of this type of place often struggle with greasy stains, which are extremely persistent and difficult to remove. They also include stains from engine or diesel oil - a real nightmare that causes quite a lot of frustration! Are there ways to quickly and effectively clean paving stones, even if they are so heavily soiled? It turns out that even at a low cost, you can do it yourself, and secondly quite effectively! We also recommend taking a look at another entry on our blog, which explains exactly how to properly arrange paving stones.

HOW TO PREPARE THE SURFACE FOR CLEANING?

Regardless of the type of impurities remaining on the surface of the cube, you should prepare properly before cleaning them. First of all, the entire surface should be carefully sweep with a regular broom or a much faster sweeper. Thanks to this, we will gain a better view of the situation and we will be able to apply washing and cleaning agents more precisely. Let's get rid of the leaves and sand lying on the cube. We should also avoid any care treatments in a strong wind, which may re-apply unnecessary dirt to us.

REMOVING OIL AND FAT STAINS

Stains from all kinds of fats and oils (including engine stains) are undoubtedly the most persistent. Worse, over time, they blend in with the ankle structure, making them almost impossible to remove. Therefore, the sooner we react and remove the oil stain, the better! How to go about it? If the stain is fresh, first cover it with sand that will absorb at least part of the liquid. Then we rinse the stain with warm water and a household detergent, e.g. dishwashing liquid.
 
You can also decide to apply special chemicals, but keep in mind that they may leave visible discoloration. Before using them, make a sample in an inconspicuous place and check whether the purchased preparation is completely safe and will not cause a further nuisance. A very important issue is the impregnation of the paving stones, thanks to which we will reduce its absorbency.

REMOVING MOSS AND LICHEN

Moss is another nuisance for many paving stone owners. Most often it appears in particularly damp and shaded places. It grows mainly in the spaces between the ankles and requires a bit of effort to get rid of it. As with greasy stains, moss should also be removed as quickly as possible, as it tends to expand quickly over a larger area.
 
How to get rid of moss from paving stones? The basic method is to collect it mechanically, using e.g. narrow rakes. Larger plants can be successfully pulled out by hand, but remember that they will grow back over time. Another way that may seem a bit absurd is to use a gas burner. Burn the protruding organic clumps, which dry quickly, and then sweep them out. We do not have to worry about the ankle surface, which will not suffer in any way. Another solution will be the use of specialized chemicals that will also effectively get rid of moss and lichen from cobblestones. Unfortunately, in the case of a large area, you have to take into account the greater expenditure and you have to bear in mind the harmful effects of these agents, which can harm not only "cobblestone intruders", but also us and garden plants nearby.
 
The third and more natural way is to use proven home methods. For this, we will need plain water and vinegar. We mix them in the proportion of 2: 1 (for 2 parts of water, add 1 part of vinegar) and spray the overgrown places with the mixture. If necessary, spraying should be repeated.

Dirt from cement, glue, and paint

For other, persistent types of dirt on paving stones are the so-called construction pollutions. These include all kinds of cement, paints, and adhesives. Removing them can be extremely difficult over time, especially since the dried cement is highly resistant to chemicals, detergents, and water under low pressure. Therefore, immediate action is essential. The sooner the stain is dealt with, the greater the chance of its removal.
 
However, if we noticed construction contamination too late, it is worth using, for example, special grinding wheels for an angle grinder. Mechanical removal of this type of dirt is usually the only effective method. However, everything can be easily prevented by spreading even thin paint foil in places where we expect this dirt. At the same time, the cost of such protection will not be too high, because a medium-class painter's foil costs only a few zlotys. In addition, it can be reused for other types of construction work.

WASHING WITH A PRESSURE WASHER

High-pressure washers are very popular devices for washing and maintaining many surfaces around the house and in the garden. High-pressure water can effectively remove many types of dirt without the use of a drop of chemicals. In the cleaning of more stubborn stains, water heated to high temperature is used, which is possible thanks to special hot-water high-pressure cleaners.
 
Equipment of this type also proves extremely effective in the case of dirt on cobblestones. However, the question arises, which pressure washer to choose for this type of task? You need to pay attention to 5 basic parameters: capacity, which should be approx. 500 l / min, working pressure in the range of 140-180 bar, power close to 2 kW, hose length - the larger, the better (usually it is several meters) and lance - preferably with water stream regulation.

MECHANICAL CLEANING OF THE PAVING STONE

Yet another way to get rid of bothersome stains and refresh the appearance of paving stones is to use a special washcloth. Such solutions include, for example, the PROBST EASYCLEAN EC-60 paving washer, which can be used to clean surfaces made of paving tiles or natural stone.
 
It is equipped with two rotating nozzles through which water flows out under high pressure. This washer is highly effective in washing out impurities from between the gaps. The use of the Probst Easyclean ED-60 washer means that cleaning of paving stones can be up to 5 times faster than with traditional high-pressure washers.

PAVING STONE IMPREGNATION

It would seem that impregnating paving stones is pointless. It is a typical usable area, exposed to various types of weather conditions, on which we walk, ride bicycles, and even a car. In principle, therefore, paving stones should withstand all types of dirt and mechanical damage. Unfortunately, the problem lies in the structure of the ankle itself, which absorbs all liquid impurities. Deep stains are sometimes even impossible to remove.
 
For this reason, it is worth getting interested in the topic of impregnation. There are various impregnating preparations on the market that will provide an excellent protective barrier after application. This will protect the block from dirt and will make the removal of dirt with a high-pressure cleaner even faster. It is recommended to perform the impregnation treatment every 3 or 4 years. There are 2 types of impregnating preparations on the market: these are typical agents based on polymers and universal 2-in-1 preparations that simultaneously clean the surface of the block and protect it.

SUMMARY AND INTERESTS

As you can see, there are several different ways to clean paving stones. Current care is also important in all of this. Falling leaves and sand should be removed if possible. An interesting fact is that Coca-Cola can be successfully used to clean greasy stains and rust from the surface of paving stones. It is enough to pour the spot on the stain and wait a few hours (it is best to leave it overnight). Finally, rub the stain off and thoroughly rinse with water and detergent. Baking soda will also work well for washing, as it effectively removes weeds from between the gaps in the cube.

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