How to Clean and Seal Pavers: A Step-by-Step Maintenance Guide
Written by the AGS Stones Hardscape Team
Hardscape installers based in Duluth, GA
Key Takeaways
- Sweep regularly and rinse with a garden hose; most dirt never needs more than that.
- Use a pressure washer carefully — a wide fan tip held at an angle — to avoid blasting out joint sand.
- Treat oil, rust and organic stains with products made for concrete pavers, not harsh acids.
- Top up polymeric sand when joints drop below the chamfer of the paver.
- Sealing is optional but helps with stain resistance and color; reseal every few years.
Pavers are one of the lowest-maintenance surfaces you can put outside your home — but a little care every season keeps the color rich, the joints tight and the weeds out. Here is the routine we recommend to homeowners after we finish a patio, driveway or pool deck.
Method 1: Routine Cleaning
Sweep or blow off debris
Leaves, pine straw and dirt hold moisture and encourage moss. Clear them regularly, especially in fall.
Rinse with a hose
A normal garden hose removes most dust and pollen — and Atlanta pollen season will test you.
Scrub stubborn spots
Use a stiff nylon brush and a mild cleaner made for pavers. Avoid wire brushes, which leave marks.
Method 2: Removing Common Stains
Oil and grease
Blot fresh spills immediately, cover with an absorbent (like cat litter), then treat with a paver degreaser.
Rust
Rust from furniture or fertilizer needs a rust remover formulated for concrete pavers. Test in a hidden spot first.
Organic stains
Leaves, berries and algae usually respond to a paver cleaner and a brush; shaded areas may need a periodic treatment.
Avoid this
Do not use muriatic acid or other harsh acids on concrete pavers. They can etch the surface and change the color permanently.
Method 3: Re-Sanding Joints with Polymeric Sand
Clean and dry the joints
Remove weeds and loose sand, then let the surface dry completely.
Sweep in polymeric sand
Fill joints to just below the paver chamfer and compact with a plate compactor or by tapping.
Blow off the surface
Remove every grain from the paver faces so it does not harden into a haze.
Activate with a light mist
Follow the product instructions for watering so the sand hardens in the joint.
Method 4: Sealing (Optional)
A quality paver sealer can enhance color (a "wet look" or natural matte finish), make stains easier to clean and help stabilize joint sand. It is not required for structural performance. If you seal, clean thoroughly first, let the surface dry, and apply thin, even coats.
When to Call a Professional
- Pavers are sinking or rocking — that is a base problem, not a cleaning problem.
- Water pools on the surface after rain.
- A retaining wall next to the patio is leaning or bulging.
Those are signs of drainage or base issues. Our crews repair and rebuild hardscapes across North Metro Atlanta. Request a free evaluation.
Common Questions from Homeowners
How often should pavers be sealed?
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Sealing is optional. If you choose to seal, most sealers are reapplied every few years depending on traffic, sun exposure and the product used. Always let new pavers cure before sealing — ask your installer for the right timing.
Can I pressure wash my pavers?
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Yes, carefully. Use a wide fan tip, keep the wand moving at an angle and avoid aiming directly into the joints. Re-sand the joints afterwards if sand was removed.
What causes white haze on new pavers?
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That is usually efflorescence — natural salts rising to the surface of concrete products. It typically fades over time and can be removed with an efflorescence cleaner.
Why are weeds growing between my pavers?
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Joint sand has washed out or was never stabilized. Clean the joints, then refill them with polymeric sand and activate it with water to harden.
Ready to Start Your Project?
Our in-house crews design and build driveways, patios, retaining walls and outdoor kitchens across North Metro Atlanta.
4579 Abbotts Bridge Rd Suite 10, Duluth, GA 30097 • Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
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