How Can I Make My Pavers Look New Again?
Having cracked, faded, dirty, and chipped pavers in your backyard can be annoying. I remember buying a home some time back only to find molds and weeds growing between the pavers, which portrayed an unpleasant picture.
So, I had to embark on the restoration process to ensure the compound looked clean and attractive. Therefore, I will use my expertise to help you and other homeowners make your pavers look new again.
How Can I Make My Pavers Look New Again?
The best way to make your pavers look new again is to use a pressure washer to clean them. After cleaning and ensuring the pavers are dry, thoroughly inspect for cracks and levels. Replace the cracked pavers and ensure they are in a leveled position.
You can use a metal pick to remove the unleveled paver, remove the materials that hinder it from being leveled, and then return it. Next, use a rubber hammer to hit it and ensure the paver fits well and is leveled. After that, pour polymeric sand to fill the joints.
Detailed Step-by-Step Guide for Making Pavers Look New Again
It is the dream of homeowners to have clean and new pavers in their backyards. Clean and new pavers make the compound pleasant and increase any property's value.
The reason for using a pressure washer is that it helps you get rid of chalky residue, molds, algae stains, moss, and weed growth that would be difficult to remove manually. Therefore, if you have old or dirty pavers in your compound, these steps will help you restore them, making them appear new again:
Gather the materials: The materials you will need include a pressure washer, cleaning solution, polymeric sand, blower, broom, and a rubber hammer. You will also need leveling tool, a flat-headed screwdriver, gloves, and a sealant.
Uproot weeds: Wear gloves and uproot some weeds that may have grown between the pavers. This makes the cleaning process easier.
Start washing: First, pre-wet the area by pouring water and leaving it for 10 minutes. Next, set the pressure washer at 1500 or 1600 PSI and start cleaning. Direct the nozzle to the joints. This helps remove molds and other weeds.
Leave to air dry: It is essential to ensure the area dries up before moving to the next step. You can use a blower to speed up the drying process.
Check for cracked or unleveled pavers: After the area has dried, walk around the yard to check for cracked and chipped pavers. Replace the cracked paver (if any) and level the poorly leveled ones. Here, you will use a harmer, leveling tool, and flat-headed screwdriver to do the job.
Add the polymeric sand: Slowly add the sand to the entire paving area. Next, use a brush to spread the sand, filling all the joints. After filling all the joints, blow the area using a blower to ensure the sand remains on top of the pavers.
Spray water: Pour some water on top of the paver to help activate the polymeric sand. Just use a small amount of water.
Apply a sealant: After removing the sand on top of the pavers, it is essential to apply a sealant. Sealants help protect the pavers from UV lights that make them fade. It is advisable to use a two-part water-based polyurethane sealer as it is durable.
That is it! Your pavers are now looking new!
Other Creative Ways of Restoring Pavers
Some pavers may have chipped or cracked, making it difficult to move to the next level of restoration. Besides cleaning, there are other excellent ways that can help homeowners restore their pavers. The following are some of the techniques people use:
Create Paver Patterns and Design
This is an excellent way of making pavers look brand new. You only need to add the pavers in a pattern, such as a basket weave, herringbone, or circular design.
At Aviara Pavers, we can help you install pavers in the pattern you like. We also follow ICPI standards and certifications for constructing pavers for driveways, patios, swimming pool decks, and entry ways.
Install a Paver Edging
Edging pavers plays an essential role in any outdoor paver project. Besides protecting the integrity of your installed pavers, edging enhances the aesthetic of your walkway, patio, driveway, or garden.
Incorporate Lighting Fixtures
This is another excellent way of making your outdoor living space captivating and inviting. Consider installing lights along the edges of your pavers to enhance aesthetics and safety. You can choose to use solar-powered lights (ideal for saving electricity costs) or electricity.
Put Border Plants and Shrubs
Having plants around your home is ideal for bringing nature closer to you. Use planter boxes to plant flowers and line them along walkways, patios, or driveways. You can also use hanging baskets to add vertical interest.
Related Questions
How Do You Restore Faded Pavers?
The best way to restore faded pavers is to power wash them. Power washing helps remove most of the dirt and grim that would be hard to remove when washing manually. Another way to restore a faded paver is to use a non-acidic multipurpose cleaning solution to clean your pavers.
How Do You Brighten Concrete Pavers?
The best and quickest way to brighten your concrete pavers is to use a non-acidic solution to clean them. Prepare the solution by mixing a mild degreasing dish detergent with warm water. Pour the solution onto the paver and leave it to sit for 30 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing with enough water.
Can Bleach Make Pavers Look New Again?
Bleach can help make pavers look fresh again by disinfecting the surface. It can kill bacteria and mold that could otherwise make paving look old. Bleach is also effective in removing tough stains such as grease and paint.
Conclusion
Pavers create a first impression of your home since they are what visitors see first when they enter your backyard. For that reason, you need to have clean pavers to resemble the new ones. This way, you will have an appealing outdoor space, increasing your home's value.