If you’ve spent much time thinking about the best ways to clean your pavers, you may have wondered, “Can you pressure wash pavers?”
Using pavers to build your patio, walkway, or driveway is a great way to create a practical space that looks beautiful and increases your home’s curb appeal. But like anything else, time can make your pavers look dingy and unattractive. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to clean up your pavers and get them looking their best.
And the answer to that question is yes, with a couple of caveats.
Don’t Pressure Wash First
While you can pressure washer pavers, most dirt won’t require it. The majority of grime that ends up on your pavers can be removed with nothing more than a broom, or water, soap, and a scrub brush. And even if you need the help of a focused stream of water to get your pavers looking like new, you may be able to manage with nothing more than a garden hose that’s been equipped with a high-pressure nozzle.
It’s a good idea to try cleaning your pavers with these less challenging methods before resorting to using a power washer. After all, while you can use a power washer to clean your pavers, it’s not always necessary – and if improperly used, it can cause damage to your pavers.
Can You Pressure Wash Pavers?
Yes, you can pressure wash your pavers. But while using a pressure washer at a basic level is simple, ignorant and inexperienced users can easily damage their pavers by using a stream that’s too powerful, by holding the wand too close to the pavers, or by falling into any number of other rookie mistakes.
These mistakes can lead to lines, pits, and other surface damage to your pavers. In addition, if you have mortar holding your pavers together, misusing a pressure washer can blow it out. So, keep these things in mind before you pull out your pressure washer and attempt to blast away any filth caking your pavers.
Pressure Washing Your Pavers
Before you begin power washing, it’s a good idea to do the following…
Test drive your power washer. If you’re renting a power washer or otherwise inexperienced, it’s a good idea to test it on a piece of dirt or stone before using it on your pavers. It’s better to blast a chunk out of an already uneven rock than to create an unsightly scar in one of your pavers. So, make sure you understand the power washer you’re using and have control of it before you turn it on your patio or walkway.
Get the settings right. Make sure that it offers three to four gallons per minute at a pressure of 3,000 psi or less. In addition, it’s a good idea to use a nozzle that offers a wide-angle stream so that there isn’t so much force in any one, small area. This way you’ll be less likely to cause damage to your pavers.
Pressure wash your pavers. Once you’ve gotten used to your power washer and made sure that the settings are correct, it’s time to begin cleaning off your pavers. You’ll want to keep the tip of the wand at least one foot away from the pavers and use broad, sweeping motions so that the water doesn’t focus on any one area for too long. In addition, be careful not to spray water directly into your paver joints as it will send sand flying.
If you’ll keep these things in mind and follow these basic instructions, you’ll be able to get your pavers looking as good as new with the help of your pressure washer.
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