HELPFUL TIPS ON HOW TO REMOVE COMMON STAINS FROM CONCRETE PAVINGSTONES

All pavements will stain, but when properly installed, interlocking concrete pavements have very low maintenance and provide an attractive surface for decades. Under foot and vehicular traffic, they can become exposed to dirt, stains and wear. This is common to all pavements. The below tips address various steps to ensure the durability of interlocking concrete pavements.

Remember, one of the main advantages of concrete pavingstones versus asphalt or concrete if a stain cannot be removed - the PAVER CAN!

Asphalt and emulsified asphalt - Alliance Rubber, Paint and Tar Remover. Follow the directions on the bottle and reapply if necessary. Also you can try the following: chill with ice (if warm outside) and scrape away excess with a hard plastic scraper and apply Alliance XP Oil and Grease remover and follow directions on the bottle.

Cutback asphalt and roofing tar - Use Alliance Rubber, Paint and Tar Remover and follow directions on the bottle.

Blood, candy, ketchup, mustard and grease drippings from food - Use liquid dish soap and let penetrate 20-30 minutes. Scrub and rinse with hot water. You may also use Oxyclean mixed 4 scoops to a gallon of hot water. Let soak for 15 minutes and then scrub with a nylon bristle brush, then rinse.

Caulking - Scrape off excess and scrub with a poultice of denatured alcohol. Rinse with hot water and detergent.

Acrylic latex caulk - Follow guidelines for removal of dried paint. Use Alliance Rubber, Paint and Tar Remover or Alliance Eco Soy Stripper.

Chewing gum - Same as caulking.

Clay Soil - Scrape off dry material. Scrub and rinse with hot water and Alliance Shampoo.

Creosote - Apply a poultice with paint thinner and talc. Scrub and allow to dry. Scrape off and scrub with scouring powder and rinse with water.

Efflorescence - Use Alliance Efflorescence Remover. Dilute according to instructions on container. Apply and rinse with water.

Leaf stains - Use Clorox Pro Results Outdoor Bleach and follow the instructions for application. Of course- be sure to test one paver at a time. The cause of the problem is leaves. Leaves fall yearly. This will continue to happen so a decision has to be made whether to live with or remove the tree.

Wood rot, mulch or tobacco stains - Use Oxyclean 4 scoops to a gallon of hot water. Apply and let soak for 15 minutes. Scrub with a nylon bristle brush and rinse with water. You may also use Pool Shock. Wet entire surface to be cleaned then mix 1/2 lb of pool shock with 4 gallons of water. Apply, scrub, and rinse off.

Mold and mildew - Use Oxyclean or pool shock (follow same directions as above).

Mortar - Extremely difficult to remove. If mortar is fresh and not hardened, try Alliance Efflorescence Remover. Scrub and rinse with water. Reapply if necessary. It may be necessary to replace the paver.

Oil or grease that has penetrated - Soak up excess with rags and apply Alliance XP Oil & Grease Remover. Leave on for 6-8 hours till it dries to a powder and sweep off. Also works on antifreeze, brake fluid, hydraulic oil and citronella wax.

Paint - Fresh paint should be mopped up immediately with rags or paper towels by blotting. Do not wipe as this will spread the stain. Soak and then scrub the area with hot water, scouring powder and a stiff brush until no more improvement is seen. Let the remaining paint dry and remove as described below.

Dried paint - Scrape any excess oil based paint, varnish or water based latex paint off the surface. Use Alliance Rubber, Paint and Tar Remover or Alliance Eco Soy Stripper and follow the directions on the container or a commercial paint remover and let it sit for 20-30 minutes. Loosen with gentle scrubbing. Do not rub the loosened paint into the surface of the paver. Instead, blot up the loosened paint and thinner. Repeat as necessary. Note: latex paints once dried are more difficult to remove.

Soot from smoke - Use a solution of trisodium phosphate (TSP) diluted to directions on container. Scrub and rinse with water.

Tire skid marks - Alliance Rubber, Paint and Tar Remover or scrub black area with water, detergent and scouring powder. In the case of small stained areas, removal and replacement of marred pavers may be an easier option.

Rust - Define the rust stain (sprinklers, patio furniture, fertilizer?) Apply Alliance Rust Remover and scrub with a stiff bristle brush. Multiple applications may be necessary. Follow directions accordingly. Test a small area of pavers first. Note: Rust Remover will damage a sealer.

We received these recommendations from the manufacturer of the cleaning products, as well as contractors like yourself. Cambridge Pavers, Inc. does not warranty or guarantee these cleaning methods will work and does not assume any responsibility for the actions of those attempting to clean. Prior to applying the suggested cleaning agent to a large area, test on one or two pavingstones to make sure you are satisfied with the results. If you can, please choose a paver that is in a not easily seen area.