The paving stones are a type of product widely used in spaces such as driveways, garages, gardens or patios. They are characterized by having high resistance and perfectly supporting road traffic and different weather conditions. In addition, concrete paving stones have low-cost maintenance and their installation is a simple procedure to perform. However, like any surface, they suffer the aggressions of continued use, in the form of stains, dirt, debris, etc. Let’s look at some solutions for cleaning paving stones and also maintenance.
Types of stains that can appear on concrete paving stones
Before proceeding to clean paving stones, it is necessary to analyze the type of stains that may exist on them to apply the appropriate specific product. It is important to keep in mind that not all products available on the market are valid because they could damage vegetation and grass, such as acids. That is why special attention should be paid to their selection.
Most common types of stains
Not all wear and stains on pavements are the same. Sometimes they occur as a result of the transit of vehicles and people, by efflorescence, by thermal effects or humidity, etc. The most common types of stains and their appropriate cleaning process are presented below:
- If chewing gum sticks, it is advisable to scrape to remove most of the stain and rub with denatured alcohol. Finishing the process with hot water and detergent will achieve perfect results.
- In the case of clay stains, you should act in the same way as with chewing gum.
- If stains of tobacco, leaves are detected, it is recommended to apply bleach and scrub with rigid bristle brushes.
- On some occasions, mortar stains are inevitable when installing the pavement. In this case, it is advisable to remove hardened stains carefully with a trowel.
- If any type of grease or oil is spilled, it is necessary to dry the excess spilled with a cloth and spray absorbent oil to cover the entire surface. Products such as talc can also be used. It will have to be left to act for a day and then sweep to remove the added products.
Paint, tire marks…
- Paint is a type of stain that usually appears very frequently, as it is a material widely used to condition walls. If it falls on the concrete pavement, it should be cleaned immediately with cloths. If allowed to dry, the paint could expand over part of the surface, increasing the work to clean the stain. When the paint is composed of latex, it will be necessary to soak the stain and scrub the surface with hot water, stain removal powders and a brush. For the rest of the paints, the appropriate option is to let it dry and then scrape to remove the product. Subsequently, apply a solvent, leaving it to act for between 20 and 30 minutes. Then it should be scrubbed to remove. Repeat this process as many times as necessary until its total elimination.
- For tire stains, the stained area should be scrubbed with water, detergent and some special stain remover.
- In the case of common stains of blood, food, it is advisable to act quickly to avoid letting the stains dry. Apply a liquid detergent and let it act for 20 to 30 minutes to proceed to scrub and remove with hot water. This technique will leave the pavement without stains.
Cleaning of concrete paving stones
Once the stains have been removed from the paving stones, a total cleaning of the surface will be carried out. It is emphasized that cleaning the concrete floor is quite simple.
For the correct cleaning of paving stones, first sweep the entire surface to remove accumulated dirt and even dead vegetation, in the case of terraces or gardens. In outdoor areas, it is advisable to spray a little water before sweeping to prevent dust from causing discomfort.
Choosing soaps with neutral pH is the appropriate option to avoid the deterioration of the tiles. The easiest way to clean is to mix this neutral product with water and scrub the entire surface of the paving stones every two or three days.
A very important detail to take into account when cleaning paving stones is that powder detergents or liquid detergents containing sodium hypochlorite or acids such as nitric, oxalic or muriatic should never be used. These are capable of damaging the surface of the paving stone, causing it to lose its properties.
Maintenance of paved surfaces
We repeat, the concrete paving stone is a product with many advantages, low cost and maintenance, a durable and guaranteed solution. Which does not mean that it does not need periodic maintenance. For example, it is important to ensure that the joint of the paving stones is always full of sand. That the paving stone has not sunk into the pavement, eliminate traces of weeds in the joints.
Try to ensure sawing and sealing in the repaired areas. Or repair, where appropriate, the base and drainage structures. Breakages, longitudinal fissures or simply wear of the surface may occur due to the passage of time, despite the fact that these pavements stand out for their resistance and durability. The paving stone must be protected by applying special water repellents for ceramic surfaces at least every 4 years, in order to maintain the advantages of reducing water absorption.
We can perform maintenance to prevent imperfections that may generate unevenness. Or maintenance to correct existing damage or deterioration, repairing and acting on the thickness of the slab.
Ask about Cleannox paving stones
If you have any questions about paving stones and decorative pavements, at Cleannox we can help you, based on our experience of more than 100 years in prefabrication and more than 30 years dedicated to concrete paving stones. We have the most gifted professionals to perform all paving work with concrete paving stones. In addition to a wide range of paving stones of different sizes, styles and colors.
Ask about our services. Thanks to our logistical capacity we work for Albacete, Cuenca, Madrid, Ciudad Real, Guadalajara and Toledo. Ask us.
Cleannox, adoquines de hormigón para pavimentos decorativos. Adoquines ecológicos con efecto fotocatalítico.
