Paver stones are extraordinarily strong, durable, and attractive which is why they are often chosen for external installations such as driveways, walkways, and patios. They are also easy to maintain and clean, unless some oil spills on them. Trying to remove oil stains from pavers can be quite difficult and frustrating and requires some insider knowledge.
If you are looking for information on cleaning types of stains from your pavers you have come to the right place. We have some great tips for how to clean pavers and how to remove stains from pavers using paver cleaning products such as Techniseal paver care products i.e. Dirt & Grease remover, organic stain remover, paint & tar remover, etc, but also at home DIY cleaner products for easy stains.
General Tips For Cleaning Stains From Pavers
Paver stones are very porous thus can easily absorb stains if anything spills on them. At Techniseal, sealing pavers helps to prevent stains from forming but it isn’t a foolproof preventive measure. There are some general guidelines you should follow in case you need to clean stains from your pavers.
First, you should ask the contractor that installs your pavers if there are any manufacturers instructions for stain removal. Manufacturers will have the best knowledge on how to clean their specific pavers. For example, efflorescence stains on pavers caused by rain, humidity and fluctuating temperatures are best removed by efflorescence removers from manufacturers. Rust on pavers is also best removed by commercial cleaners provided by paver manufacturers.
Secondly, test out your paver cleaners on a small inconspicuous area. This way if the cleaning products damage your pavers you can refrain from using them. Always follow the instructions provided with cleaning materials to prevent any accidents that could damage your pavers.
Stain removers have to be completely rinsed off from pavers to prevent them from seeping into the stones and changing their appearance. The stain removers can also damage plants so try and avoid getting them on plants. If you are trying to remove oil from pavers make sure you have absorbent granular material to seep the oil from the pavers. Trying to rub away oil stains on driveways will spread the oil and make the problem worse.
If you are using a brush to scrub off stains, use one with soft bristles that won’t scratch your pavers. Additionally, if you are using pressure washers be aware that it can dislodge the sand holding the paver joints together so you may need to fill in any gaps left behind after cleaning.
How To Remove Oil Stains From Pavers
Oil stains on pavers usually come from vehicles or outdoor grills. Always have some absorbent granular materials, paper towels or napkins in the garage. This way as soon as there is a spillage you can apply material to absorb the oil before it stains your pavers. Once you have blotted as much of the oil as possible, apply liquid soap or laundry detergent on the oil stain and rub with a soft nylon brush. This should get the oil out of your pavers.
In case the oil stain has already dried on your pavers, sprinkle absorbent granular material on the stain and let it sit for about 6 hours. Once the material absorbs as much of the oil as possible you can clean the stain off as above with liquid soap or laundry detergent.
Prevention Is The Best Cure for Paver Care
The best way to clean stains from pavers is to prevent them from occurring in the first place. Apply paver sealant and clean off any spills as soon as they happen to prevent stains from forming. For more information about laying pavers such as how to dig deep for pavers and how to grow moss between pavers read the rest of our blog.