The title image features a Promenade Paver driveway
Choosing concrete pavers for a new patio, walkway, pool deck, or driveway is a sound investment in the beauty and functionality of your Red Bank, NJ, landscape. To protect your latest landscape investment, you will want to choose your new concrete pavers carefully and take steps to ensure your concrete pavers will stand the test of time.
Regular Cleaning of Pavers
Regular cleaning is one of the most effective ways to keep your concrete pavers looking good. It’s also an opportunity to spot any potential issues. In addition to regular sweeping, a mild dish soap solution and a nylon-bristled brush can be used to gently scrub off any leaves or mud that could have accumulated, especially in corners. Wet leaves and grass clippings are no match for Unilock pavers sealed with EasyClean (you’ll just wipe them clean), a surface protection used when manufacturing that keeps moisture and dirt at bay—and minimizes maintenance requirements.
While Unilock pavers of all types need very little maintenance overall, regular sweeping and hand-washing keep them free of any grit that crosses their paths from foot or vehicle traffic. If anything is truly stuck on, you can use a power washer set at a 30-degree angle to deep-clean the pavers (just be careful not to use the power washer at high power).
Regular Inspection and Replacement of Jointing Sand
Unilock recommends using polymeric jointing sand in the gaps between traditionally installed pavers. Polymeric sand hardens into a tough cement-like compound that resists weeds. Occasionally, some jointing compound could loosen, so check your paver surface at least once a year for any loose jointing compound. Refill as needed, and you’re all set.
If your pavers are permeable, the material between them may not be not polymeric sand, but rather crushed aggregate, which easily lets water seep through. This aggregate is not fixed like polymeric sand (once polymeric sand is set with water) and may require periodic replacement.
Replacement of Broken Pavers
In the unlikely event a paver should break, it can be replaced individually. This should be done fairly quickly to prevent adjacent pavers from shifting.
Application of Sealant
Many Unilock pavers do not require sealing. However, high-use areas such as driveways and pool decks could benefit from regular sealing. Dirt and grit tracked in on auto tires can eventually cause abrasion and scuff marks on driveway pavers, but this damage can be minimized by sweeping and power-washing, as well as regular sealing. After an initial sealing occurs, sealing your driveway pavers every three to five years is recommended. This will also help the driveway concrete pavers hold their color.
Pool surrounds are subject to chlorine or saltwater stains, which can be minimized by regular cleaning and choosing pavers sealed with EasyClean stain resistance.
Minimal Use of Chemicals
Deicing salts, plant fertilizers, household chemicals, and motor oil can stain or etch some concrete pavers, which is the main reason you want to keep your pavers clean. You can also switch to chemicals that are gentler on pavers. Instead of deicing salts, you could install a driveway heating system to minimize the accumulation of ice and snow.
