Paving Cleaning and Sealing in Cape Town

Paving cleaning in Cape Town and the joints

Kärcher's South African guide to cleaning pavers warns that aiming the jet at the gaps removes the material in them, and suggests refilling the joints with sand afterwards. The CMA says interlock comes from joints that are completely filled with jointing sand. Its homeowner guide says to re-sand and compact again after heavy rains if sand has been washed out.

Should paving be sealed?

No, not as a rule. The CMA does not recommend surface sealants on concrete block paving. It lists three reasons: a high initial cost, abrasion that wears the sealer off, and regular maintenance.

Bostik's UK data sheet says its Block Paving Sealer improves resistance to dirt, oils and stains. The same sheet asks for new blocks to be left for 3 months after laying before applying it, to let efflorescence come out first. It warns that efflorescence may still occur after sealing if the paving is laid directly onto the ground.

White haze on new paving

Efflorescence is a white haze of salts that comes out of new concrete pavers. The CMA calls it a natural phenomenon and says rain usually washes it away in about 1 to 2 years. An acid wash removes it faster, but the CMA says the surface becomes rougher and the shade changes slightly. The CMA's homeowner guide says acid washing is for expert use only.

Oil stains on paving

For an oil stain, the CMA's homeowner guide says to cover it with cat litter as soon as possible, so the oil is absorbed, then brush the litter off. Older stains and clay pavers are covered in the guide to oil stains on paving.

Cleaning from a paving installer

Paving for Africa cleans and seals paving as part of its paving work across Cape Town.

Paving cleaning questions