Paving stone maintenanceusually does not pose a big problem, and possiblecleaning of the paving stonesis done only once a season - in spring. If you want the pavement in your garden to be really well-kept, see what cleaning and maintenance of cobblestones looks like.Pavers made of cobblestones are extremely resistant even to extreme external conditions. Winter is, of course, the hardest time for them. A properly arranged surface will not cause any damage. But each one will definitely need spring cleaning. "
Paving stone cleaning and maintenance
Probably the only maintenance that our driveway or garden paths will require at the beginning of spring - will be thorough sweeping. In the vast majority of cases, this should be enough.
Again, the old medical truth that it is easier to prevent than to cure is true. Unless we have purchased factory-impregnated cubes, immediately after the surface is made, it is worth investing in securing it with special preparations, i.e. impregnating the paving stones.
However, if we did not do it, and after the snow and ice subsides, it turns out that the cube is very heavily and permanently dirty, it may be necessary to more seriouslycleaning the paving stonesIf a washer is not enough cleaning with a hard brush, it may be necessary to use chemicals.- A proven way to start is using Ludwik dishwashing liquid mixed in a 1: 3 ratio with water - proposes Piotr Kułagowski, development coordinator at to Libet company - The solution should be in contact with dirt for up to 24 hours.After that, they can be wiped and rinsed gently with a pressure washer.
If it is not enough to repeat the operation twice, it may be necessary toclean the paving stoneswith more aggressive chemicals - in this case, however, consultation with a specialist and experimental tests in invisible places on the pavement is definitely recommended.
Cleaning paving stones , however, may have the side effect of flushing out the joints. However, repair is very simple here - the losses should be filled in the same way as when grouting a new cube. If the gaps were filled with sand, obtain washed sand with a granulation of 0-2 mm, cover the repaired surface with it, and then spread it with a brush. It is good to compact the joints with a plate vibrator (necessarily with a protective spacer) and then repeat the filling of the joints with sand.
If the surface was grouted with hard fillers,paving stone maintenancewill be a bit more complicated. First of all, in such a case it should be checked whether the mortar that we intend to use for restorations will not cause discoloration of the surface (this especially applies to chemically hardened joints). It is a good idea to try in an inconspicuous place. If there is no damage (change of shade or staining) to the ankle, prepare the surface and mortar in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and fill in the cavities. It is important to follow the rule that each subsequent layer from the pavement should have greater water permeability. So, if we have a surface with tight joints and we do not know the technology in which the base for paving stones was made - we should not make any fillings with sand.
Chemical damage is a much more difficult to remove type of damage to paved surfaces that may occur after winter.They relate to the least extent to stone elements, and to a greater extent concrete and clinker pavements. They can result from the use of ordinary snow removal s alt in winter. It is worth remembering that the market offers preparations intended for snow removal from concrete surfaces, which do not cause damage or permanent discoloration. However, if such damage does occur, it may be necessary toclean the paving stonesand remove or mask the discoloration with special chemicals. However, each time the choice of cleaning agents should be consulted with a specialist. It is not worth doing it yourself, because the effects of such a procedure may turn out to be much worse (and more durable) than the dirt that we wanted to clean.
All the problems listed here concern only a negligible percentage of paving stones. In the absolute majority of casescleaning and maintenance of the paving stonesis not necessary. It is enough to sweep paving stones in the garden and around the house from time to time.
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