Just a few supplies and bit of elbow grease can keep your patio or garden path looking new.
Brick pavers are a strong material perfect forcreating patios,garden paths, driveways and even pool surrounds.
But without maintenance, brick starts to look worn and dirty, and can even become loose or uneven.
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
Frequent sweeping is one of the best ways to keep brick pavers looking good.
Here’s how to clean brick pavers so they keep their crisp lines and natural color.
before you dive in
The cleaning methods discussed below are for unpainted, clay brick pavers only.
A home improvement store that sells cleaning solutions should be able to help.
Avoid cleaning in high temperatures so that water and cleaning solutions don’t dry too quickly.
Cleaning solutions that dry on brick often result in residue that you’ll have to scrub away again.
Remove moss growth andpull out weedsand other plants sprouting between pavers.
Consider covering nearby landscaping to protect it from overspray and cleaning solutions.
For brick installations that use sand in the joints, do not replace sand until you’re done cleaning.
Finally, sweep away large debris like rocks, twigs, or chunks of dirt.
However, if that information is not available, theBIA has a basic guide for brick typesand cleaning methods.
It also discusses how to tackle specific stains.
The BIA recommends using hot water for surface cleaning with a detergent.
White vinegar and water, another common household cleaner, can also be used on mildew.
There are also a number of commercial cleaners available at home improvement retailers.
Then work up to more powerful solutions.
Wet the Brick Pavers
Before you apply most cleaners to brick, coat the area with water.
The BIA recommends working in small, manageable sections to avoid letting the water primer or cleaning solution dry.
Do not use steel brushes because they can scratch the brick.
“In general, using a low pressurized water cleaning unit is appropriate,” says Clark.
“Low pressure is categorized by less than 400 psi.”
Rinse Surface
After cleaning brick pavers, rinse the surface with a regular hose.
Don’t let water linger after rinsing.
Brush the sand into the joints and sweep away excess on the surface.
Hose down the area to settle the new sand between the pavers.
