Seasonal Paver Maintenance Tips to Protect Your Investment

With minimal maintenance, you can keep your Unilock pavers looking great, regardless of season. This article will help you explore simple, step-by-step seasonal paver maintenance tips for keeping your pavers clean and well-maintained all year round.

Spring Paver Maintenance Tips to Refresh and Renew Your Outdoor Space

Spring brings warmth, blooming flowers, and a welcome thaw from winter. This transition can lead to leftover residue, sprouting weeds, and possible paver shifts due to freeze/thaw cycles. Here are a few paver maintenance tips for cleaning your surfaces in the Spring:

• Clean your pavers using a soap and water solution or a mild detergent, to remove any dirt and grime that may have built up over the winter. Alternatively, you can use a pressure washer on a low setting angled at a 45-degree angle on your paver surface to avoid dislodging any joint sand.
• Remove any weeds that may have sprouted, and clean the surface and joints to prevent future weed growth. 
• Sweep in fresh joint sand once the surface is dry.
• Inspect your pavers for “creep”, or shifting, and inspect edge restraints to ensure everything remains securely in place.
• Replace cracked or chipped pavers with spare pieces by prying out loose pavers. 

Enlist a certified paver contractor if you require any assistance with these steps. For the full, comprehensive list of paver maintenance steps, read our Spring Paver Maintenance article.

Summer Paver Maintenance Tips to Maintain Clean, Weed-Free Pavers

Summer brings increased foot traffic and potential spills and stains, especially near an outdoor kitchen or on a driveway. Here are a few paver maintenance tips for cleaning your pavers during the Summer:

• Tackle spills like ketchup, oil, or wine by cleaning the surface with a simple soap and water solution or mild detergent, to prevent stains from settling into the paver surface.
• If your pavers were factory-sealed with EasyClean™ technology, the cleaning phase should be easy, as EasyClean offers built-in stain resistance for faster cleanup of spills before a stain takes hold. 
• Consider applying a sealer to your paver surface to help protect against future staining and wear.
• Stay on top of weeds by removing them at the root to prevent regrowth.

Fall Paver Maintenance Tips to Prepare Your Pavers for Cooler Weather

As cooler weather approaches and the leaves change color, fall paver maintenance will see you focusing primarily on cleaning and stain prevention. Here are some of the things to look out for in the Fall for paver maintenance:

• Clean any dirt, debris, or leaf stains on pavers using a soap and water solution, or a mild detergent, along with warm water and a stiff bristle brush. 
• Sweep or blow leaves off your pavers regularly to prevent stains from penetrating the surface.
• Move heavy items like planters or furniture to prevent rust stains or marks from settling into the surface over the winter.
• Invest in a pre-sealed product, like EasyClean™, or apply an after-market sealer to protect your surface against future stains.

Winter Paver Maintenance Tips to Protect Your Pavers from Ice and Snow

Winter paver maintenance often involves protecting surfaces from the onset of ice and snow:

• Use snow-clearing tools with plastic edges to avoid scratching or scuffing the surface of your pavers.
• For light snowfalls, use a stiff bristle broom to clear away snow.
• When de-icing your pavers, opt for sodium chloride (rock salt) instead of harsher magnesium-based products, which can damage paver surfaces.
• Consider permeable pavers for eco-friendly snowmelt drainage. Unilock permeable pavers are designed with wider joint gaps to absorb rainwater, reduce puddling and ice buildup, and minimize slip hazards.

For the full, comprehensive list of paver maintenance steps, read our Winter Paver Maintenance blog. 

General Paver Maintenance FAQs

How long do Unilock pavers last?

Unilock pavers are manufactured to last a lifetime. They are crafted under extreme pressure to ensure strength and durability far exceeding general manufacturing standards set by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM), Canadian Standards Association (CSA), and other European organizations. However, a poor installation can lead to pavers shifting or cracking, affecting the overall integrity of your project, so that’s why it’s important to work with a professional hardscape contractor, like a Unilock Authorized Contractor, who can ensure a solid foundation that will stand the test of time.

Unilock also offers a Lifetime Guarantee for the structural integrity of our paving stones and retaining wall units. Should a project be installed and maintained under our guidelines, and prove defective, your products will be replaced at no cost to you.

How do I get rid of moss between my pavers?

To clear moss growth between your pavers, start by applying a natural solution, such as vinegar and water, or diluted bleach to the affected areas. Then, gently scrub the applied area with a stiff bristle brush. You can also use a pressure washer on a low setting to remove moss but be cautious not to dislodge any joint sand. Once the moss is removed, ensure the surface is completely dry before applying new polymeric sand between the paver joints.

What’s the best cleaner for Natural Stone pavers?

Our UniCare line offers a range of products designed to clean Natural Stone. For example, AcidClean can be used to remove tough rust stains on pavers or from steel or iron furniture, while BioClean can be used to clear food stains. If you wish to opt for a more natural cleaning solution, a simple soap and water solution and scrub brush combination should do the trick.

Is vinegar good for cleaning pavers?

Yes, vinegar can be used to kill mold and mildew stains, as well as weeds and moss. While it may carry a strong odor, vinegar doesn’t carry the same toxic properties as bleach. Simply pour vinegar onto the affected spots or stains and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before rinsing it off with water.

If I seal my pavers, will I ever have to re-seal?

Applying an after-market sealer is optional. Some homeowners choose to seal their products to enhance the color of their pavers or to protect against future staining. Unilock pavers are highly durable, with or without a sealer. Should you choose to seal your pavers using an after-market sealer, you will need to re-apply a new seal every 3-5 years to keep your paver surface looking pristine.