How To Clean Bluestone Pavers [Care & Maintenance Tips]

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You may have installed bluestone pavers recently, but you're not familiar with how to clean and maintain them. Worry no more! We've researched helpful tips on how to keep your bluestone pavers in the best condition.

Follow these steps:

  1. Wet the pavers to remove dust, then apply a cleaning solution to the entire area.
  2. Using a scrubbing mop, sweep the surface until it bubbles up.
  3. Scrub the pavers thoroughly by hand while wearing gloves. This will help remove hard dirt. Apply an additional solution appropriate for certain kinds of stains.
  4. Finish by wetting the surface, then letting it dry.
  5. Once dried, apply sand to fill in the paver joints.

It's common practice to clean the pavers. Remember that cleaning solutions differ in their effectiveness, components, and ease of use. You're now invested in bluestone pavers, so you should preserve their value through proper cleaning and maintenance. Throughout this article, we'll tell you how to take good care of your pavers. Keep reading!

Blue stone pavers on the garden patio, How To Clean Bluestone Pavers [Care & Maintenance Tips]

Why Clean Bluestone Pavers?

Cleaning is the basic way of maintaining quality. Bluestone pavers are more efficient and longer-lasting when you take good care of them. Below are the benefits of cleaning them:

Huge cuts of bluestone pavers

Safety Concerns

Cleaning the pavers is ideal to help address safety concerns. The dirt mixed with and accumulated on the pavers may affect the health of your family when left unresolved. Health risks that lead to illnesses start with a messy environment, so it's a good idea to clean your pavers. This may also improve air quality and make the surrounding air more breathable.

Comfortable Temperature

Cleaning can reduce heat on pavers. If rain can cool pavers, then cleaning with water can also do so.

When pavers get wet, the dust will mix with moisture and allow the heat to evaporate. Simply washing your pavers with water will help prevent a humid atmosphere.

The same thing applies to cleaning pavers during cold seasons. Cleaning can dissolve ice and snow, creating a more comfortable temperature on the surface.

Reduced Odor

One main reason homeowners want to clean pavers is to reduce odor. Unpleasant smells can create an uncomfortable.

You may use a scented cleaning solution with a lower bleach level. If you notice an odor, make sure to clean the pavers right away. Not doing so will make you immune to the smell.

Pest Elimination

Most pests cannot live in clean places. For instance, ants may gather in one place when they find food residue on the ground. Rats may be drawn to plants, so when moss grows on your pavers, these pests may infiltrate your home.

You can avoid these unfortunate events by ensuring proper cleaning and maintenance of the environment. Pavers take up a lot of space outdoors, which means that more frequent cleaning is a must.

Can You Pressure-Wash Bluestone Pavers?

Cleaning the pavement using a power washer

You can pressure-wash bluestone pavers. Pressure-washing is a cleaning technique in which you blast water rapidly onto the surface with a high-pressure hose. This is convenient for easier removal of dirt.

However, you should be careful about doing this. Too-high water pressure can cut pavers or even cause injury. Ask the manufacturer about the correct usage of this product. Take note that you might still need to add cleaning agents such as detergent powder to the surface, aside from pressure-washing.

See this pressure hose on Amazon.

How Often Should Bluestone Pavers Be Cleaned?

Sweeping your pavers every other day is beneficial to their maintenance.

However, you need to deep clean the pavers at least once a month. Deep cleaning includes removing weeds or algae on pavers by using a scrub broom, removing stains, and reapplying sand or sealant if needed.

See this scrub broom on Amazon.

Unlike other pavers, bluestone pavers are not dusty, which is among their good characteristic. This means you don't have to exert too much effort in cleaning them. All you have to do is clean dirt as early as possible and pay attention to the quality of your cleaning materials.

Common Stains and Removal Tips

Detailed photo of bluestone pavers with grass growing on the side

It's impossible to avoid stains on pavers, but you can remove them! The following are some common stains and how to eliminate them.

Pro Tip: Remember to wear gloves when removing stains.

Oil Grease

If you have a car or any machine that requires oil, they may leak oil. When oil is mixed with a metallic material, the oil will absorb the rust.

You can remove grease with a degreaser by following these steps:

  1. Pour hot water on the stain, then apply the degreaser.
  2. Wait for at least 15 seconds before you wipe it with a dry rug.
  3. Scrub with soap and rinse with water.

See this degreaser on Amazon.

Candle Wax

When a candle burns, the melted wax may drip to the ground and harden in a few seconds.

To remove candle wax, follow these steps:

  1. Use a scraper to remove hardened wax.
  2. Soften the remaining wax with hot water.
  3. Scrub the surface with soap and water.

Mud

Mud is common on rainy days. Don't wait for the mud to settle on the surface. Instead, clean the mud while it's wet.

See these steps to remove mud from pavers:

  1. Rinse the muddy surface with water.
  2. Apply soap, then scrub thoroughly.
  3. Sweep the surface with a long broom, then rinse again with water.

See this detergent powder on Amazon.

Chewing Gum

Seeing chewing gum on the ground is annoying. It may stick to your footwear and also invite ants.

Follow these steps to remove chewing gum:

  1. Pour hot water on the chewing gum. Instead of a scraper, use a wooden stick to scuff it for easy disposal.
  2. Apply a cleaning solution. Let it sit for a few seconds.
  3. Rub the chewing gum with an ice cube to wipe it off.
  4. Finish by cleaning the surface with soap and water.

See this chewing gum remover on Amazon.

Burnt Surface

Fire can burn bluestone pavers and cause discoloration on their surface. The best way to counter burnt surfaces is to paint pavers blue or any similar color. However, we recommend not using fire near pavers to avoid this happening.

Ways to Repair Bluestone Pavers

Power washing the dirty pavement

There are several ways to repair bluestone pavers depending on the damage. Some are difficult to fix alone, while some are easy to do. Take a look at the common types of paver damage and how to repair them.

Discoloration

Discoloration makes pavers look less appealing due to faded spots. It could be as a result of natural sunlight or from frequent walking through the area.

Too much bleach can also change the pavers' colors. However, you may apply a clear liquid sealant to retain the bluestone's color. Paver sealant can add another layer of protection for pavers.

Consider this two-step technique:

  1. Dust off the surface. Apply a clear sealant based on the product's instructions.
  2. When the sealant gas dries, clean the pavers with water and soap.

See this color enhancer on Amazon.

Cracks

Bluestone pavers are durable and cracks are unusual. But cracks may form due to forceful impact by a machine or heavy equipment.

Follow these steps to fix the cracks:

  1. Prepare the grout mixture by mixing sand, cement, and water.
  2. Scrape the mixture over the cracks. Use a wet sponge to remove the excess.
  3. If you used a sealant, reapply it.

Misalignment

Pavers get misaligned when there are frequent movements in a specific spot.

See these steps to realign bluestone pavers:

  1. Remove the misaligned pavers by the edges with a chisel or grinder.
  2. Cut the pavers based on the correct measurement.
  3. Reapply the bonding agent you used during installation.
  4. Put the pavers back in the correct position.

Loosening

Loosening is simply due to extra space between pavers. You just need to fill the joints with sand to tighten the pavers' grip.

Follow these steps:

  1. Using a dry broom, spread sand on loose pavers.
  2. Thump the pavers with a hammer.
  3. Spill water to harden the sand.

More Ways to Maintain Bluestone Pavers

We've listed more ways to prolong bluestone pavers' lifespan. This will help improve their quality with less cost in the long run.

Consider these additional tips:

  • Seal the paver joints for increased stability.
  • Reapply sand to make the pavers less slippery.
  • Keep the pavers dry to prevent algae from accumulating.
  • Cut and kill grass or weeds growing between the pavers.
  • Use a leg stand when cooking or grilling. Do not put fire on pavers.
  • Cover the pavers with a large tarpaulin if you plan to leave your home for a long time, such as for a vacation. This way, you don't have to worry if it rains when you're away.

Conclusion

Blue stone pavers on the garden patio

With the maintenance tips mentioned throughout this article, you can prolong the quality of pavers. Aside from cleaning, you should monitor and observe the pavers every other day to ensure they are in their best condition.

If you find this article useful, you may also like these:

Can You Clean Pavers With Bleach? [Best Cleaning Methods & Stain Removal]

How To Clean Flagstone [Plus Stain Removal Tips!]