How to Protect and clean your paving stone driveway

How to Protect and clean your paving stone driveway

1.Clean first First step: Remove all oil, rust, paint and salt efflorescence stains.1.1To remove oil stains, cover them with a generous coat of TSP (Tri Sodium Phosphate), let it soak 2 or 3 minutes, reapply a small quantity and scrub it in with a small brush; do not let it dry on the surface, rinse generously. Repeat if needed.Please note: an oil stain that has penetrated into the

may rise to the surface within 24 hours after cleaning; if it is the case, clean again. An oil stain on a pale surface may leave a blackish trace after degreasing; reduce the trace with a remover or efflorescence cleaner.1.2For rust stains, remove them with a rust remover. Remove paint, tar and rubber stains with the proper remover.

Cover each stain with a generous coat of the right remover; scrub it in with a small brush until the stain is removed and rinse immediately with water. Repeat if needed. Note: it may be difficult to remove rust stains from the rubbing of steel (snowplough).

2.Prepare the pavementBefore applying the sealer, no matter if the pavement is new, old, has been protected before, it is necessary to remove any incrusted dirt and to dissolve salt efflorescence (whitish crust) on the entire surface of the pavement, with efflorescence cleaner. It ensures a uniform cleaning and allows the sealer to penetrate into the

pavers.Important: During Summer, do not apply in direct sunlight. Do not apply the product with a floor mop or with a broom. Never let the efflorescence cleaner dry on the surface; keep it wet at all times until it is completely rinsed off.

2.1 In order to prevent the efflorescent cleaner from penetrating into the joints which would make the rinsing more difficult, wet the surface beforehand so that the joints are saturated with water. Let the surface dry then apply the cleaner.

2.2 Fasten a "techni-seal" spray to the container, then connect a watering hose to the spray. Start applying the product at the upper part by sections of 200 sq. ft.Note: may damage the pavement if applied concentrated, it must be diluted with four parts of water.On each section, spray the content of a full cleaner container, making sure to cover the whole surface and not to leave any parts uncovered, then rub the surface with a long stick brush, rinse immediately after and generously, until there is no suds left, before moving on to the next section. Clean each section encroaching upon the adjacent sections making sure not to leave any parts between the sections.Once all the sections have been cleaned, rinse the pavement generously and let it dry. Should there be any efflorescent cleaner left, clean once again.

2.3 Tip: to ensure an easy and thorough rinsing, wet the entire surface during two to three hours with a hose. To make sure the driveway will stay clean before the application of the sealer; block the access to the driveway after cleaning it.

3. Apply the sealerProtect the surface by applying either "WL" (wet look) or "EV" (natural look)sealer.3.1Make sure that all the cleaning products are completely rinsed off. The driveway must be dry (wait 24 hours) and ideally, warm when touching it. With a foam roller (19 mm thick) and a metal paint tray, apply only one coat of sealer but make sure the surface is saturated with the product.

Let it dry 24 hours before driving on it.

3.2 Note: Do not apply more than one coat of sealer otherwise you might get a white build up. Each application must be made only after having been thoroughly cleaned. Pale grey pavers may look irregular after the "WL" sealer has been applied, so we recommend the "EV" sealer.  Your paved areas will shine like a new penny.