Repair, alteration and maintenance of paving

Most of us think we know when a residential paving project isn’t quite up to standard, but how can we be sure? Are we being overly critical or are we missing something obvious? With the help of Pavestone, a few of the most common “problems” are identified along with suggestions about how to get it all put right.

The scum-like, messy, sometimes rusty crud that seems to ooze out from paving joints to ruin that lovely new paving. What is is, why does it happen, and how can we get rid of it?

All paving requires some basic maintenance. The myth about "maintenance free paving" is precisely that: a myth. This page introduces the basic tasks necessary to keep paving in tip-top condition for as long as possible.

Nothing lasts forever, and so some pavings and surfacings will, occasionally, require repair or even replacement. This page looks at the basic requirements for undertaking repairs to both modular and monolithic paving.

How should paving be cleaned? What are the best products to use, and what about tools? Is it true that soapy water and a stiff brush are as good as almost anything else? This page looks at the issues.

It seems to be an extension of Sod's Law that states that any new paving will have mortar or cement dropped onto it accidentally, or the car will suddenly develop an oil leak. How can these common stains be safely cleaned and removed?

 Provided that they are used correctly, safely and only occasionally, Power Washers are convenient tools for keeping paving in condition. This page looks at how to get the best from them without damaging the paving.

Algae and other vegetation can seriously spoil the looks of any paving, so is the use of a biocide a viable longer-term maintenance strategy?