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How to: Clean | Seal | Restore
Concrete & Clay Pavers - Driveways & Patios
"Interlocking" with Sand Joints
Sealing - Cleaning - Problem Solving - Protection - Care
 
Concrete Pavers - Untreated
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Clay Pavers - Untreated
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For the thinner and more absorbent type of tile that is also called "pavers", see our page on tiles.
Concrete pavers are made with higher compression and longer vibration than a regular concrete block. Clay pavers are fired at higher temperatures than a regular brick. The end result for both types is a much stronger and more durable unit of lower end absorption.
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There is no need for confusion or problems brought about by misidentification of a surface type, yet it happens all too often. If you would like to see why this is the case and how to properly identify a surfacing material .....
Click here
If you are concerned about doing it yourself - consider that the satisfaction of a project is directly related to your knowledge of what needs to be done and how. Who actually does the work is less important. We estimate that 25% of the usage of Aldon products is by "do it yourself" homeowners and we know they are happy because we hear from them.
| MATERIAL DESCRIPTION - With Identifying Characteristics
- Over 2 inches high - usually sand joints, but can be mortared in place.
- Layed in sand or finely crushed rock bedding.
(Lesser heights are usually layed on a concrete bed and are discussed on other pages as tile pavers or thin-brick)
- Many different shapes - from the typical brick rectangle to exotic interlocking patterns.
- Available in many colors.
- Can have vertical rib projections that provide automatic joint spacing.
- Concrete pavers are denser and stronger than concrete wall brick due to stronger mix design and longer compaction cycles.
- Clay pavers are denser and stronger than standard clay brick due to more kiln time at higher temperatures.
- Wall brick of clay or concrete are routinely used for residential patios. See those pages if that is what you are using. The correct sealer will increase the strength and durability of a wall brick.
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ADVANTAGES TO THIS MATERIAL
- Extremely tough and durable. Used in Europe for decades in high volume commercial parking areas.
- Sand joints and bed allow for easy removal for design modifications or subsurface repair work.
- The sand bed and joint method saves money over concrete bed and joint.
- Great variety of colors and shapes allow for a wide spectrum of creative design.
- Also available in a "tumbled" type that is more antiqued and has rounded edges.
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CONSIDERATIONS (All Are Preventable!)
(Click links for Aldon's solutions to these issues!)
- To clean the following -
click here
- Efflorescence (subsurface originating white powdery stains).
- Scuffing from palletized transportation and vibrator plate installation.
- Drips, footprints, and clinging paste from wet saw cutting.
- White smears can be from non-Aldon "sand stabilizing" polymer additives that wash out of the sand and across the face of the pavers. This is handled differently than efflorescence as explained at the bottom of the page linked above.
- Loss of joint sand from wind and water action can cause movement problems for the pavement mass. Tracking sand into buildings can damage floors. To prevent these things by "stabilizing" joint sand -
click here to see an easier and less expensive methods than adding a glue type product to the sand mixture.
- Colors can "fade". Actually the iron oxide pigments used in concrete products do not fade. Nor do the colored clays in clay products. The appearance of fading is actually from light efflorescence and
can be stopped by sealing with the appropriate Aldon sealer.
- All concrete products are subject to damage from acids. However, the appropriate Aldon sealer prevents this.
- Retard weed growth? Here is the theory, but we do not have any actual history on the issue. Stabilizing the sand joints (see above) with the sealer should logically do two things that would retard weed or grass growth. The sealed sand would not trap and mix with dirt that contains the nutrients needed to sustain growth, and weed seeds would have little ability to establish a root structure in a more "solidified" mass of sand. To accomplish this you need one of the penetrating sealers classified in the
 as "densifying".
- For information on paving snow removal issues, click here.
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Following are recommendations for products you may need (in sequence of use ) for whichever of the categories applies to you. Please review each and mark your printed
worksheet accordingly.
Lifeguard and the cleaning products are for interior applications.
Installed, But Not Sealed
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 Grout Residue
Remover
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 Efflorescence Treatment
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.............Sealer ( see below )
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 Lifeguard
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Care ...........
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Sealer Has Been Applied
Important! - First -
Click here!
 Premium Stripper- ...........Cleaners ?
- ...........Sealer ( see below )
- Lifeguard
- Care ..........
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Regarding The Sealer Results Shown Below
An Aldon sealer does far more than just bead water and look pretty! To see what that is
click here.
- Your results may vary somewhat from these pictures due to variations in computer display and the surface materials themselves. Nevertheless, you will be able to see the differences well enough to make good choices.
- Different areas of the same piece are used as much as possible to minimize raw material variations.
- Of all the sealers Aldon manufactures, the ones shown are recommended as best suited to this surface type.
- (Important: If your project has had any sealer applied in the past, it must be evaluated differently. To see why,
Click here!)
- Renewal of a glossy finish: sealer applications can be made hours or years later, but do not apply thin layer upon thin layer. Apply a sufficient quantity to insure below surface penetration & bonding. Or, test spray on of lacquer thinner as an alternative to slightly melt and reform the surface and not build too much gloss or sealer "layering". Sealer layering can result in poor bonding between layers and that can cause graying (peeling).
| Unsealed Paver |
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"Same Day Sealer"
Water Based - Penetrating Type
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(On the "unsealed" paver above)
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"S-B-S Sealer"
Solvent Based - Penetrating Type
Very Little or No Gloss Creation
Some Color Enhancement
Excellent Penetration and Bonding Into Dense Driveway Pavers
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(These two pictures are the same half of a tan paver - from a different manufacturer than the paver used for "Same Day Sealer" above)
Top Picture:
- One Application - Fully Sealed
- Color Enhanced - Very Little Gloss
- (Note water drop to show it is sealed)
Bottom Picture:
- Same Piece - Second Application to Increase Gloss
- Color Enhanced - A Bit More Gloss
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- very low or no gloss
- color enhancing
- joint sand stabilizing
- easy applying and forgiving of overlap
The S-B-S label has a special section in the application instructions devoted to interlocking pavers.
See below for "Penetrating Paver Sealer" that is formulated for the unique characteristics of interlocking concrete or clay driveway pavers.
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"Penetrating Paver Sealer"
Solvent Based - Penetrating Type
Low Gloss - Nice Color Enhancement
Excellent Penetration and Bonding Into Dense Driveway Pavers
Stabilizes Sand Joints
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One Application
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High Gloss
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Color Enhanced
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(These two pictures are the other half of the same paver shown above for "S-B-S Sealer")
Top Picture:
- One Application - Fully Sealed
- Color Enhanced - Medium Gloss Level
Bottom Picture:
- Same Piece - Second Application to Increase Gloss
- Color Enhanced - High Gloss Level
Note 1: a low gloss finish is typically better for the high abuse level of driveways.
Note 2: Concrete pavers are generally very strong and very dense. The density creates a low absorption rate.
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Other care products you might need for driveway and patio pavers
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Insta-Clean
For removal of most stains |
Grout Residue Remover
For removal and restoration of heavy stains and scratches.
Also known as "Paver Restore" in California |
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