Pavers are usually made from brick or concrete, although other substances can be used. A paver is a brick or stone that is used to create flat surfaces, often in designs, such as a patio area in your yard or as a driveway. The preparation that goes into laying pavers is just as important as or more important than placing them. Professionally installed pavers are fast becoming the most popular method of patio and driveway construction due to their beauty, versatility, and the minimum amount of care that is required to maintain them. Your pavers can last for 30 or more years if properly cared for. Follow these simple tips for a lifetime of paver driveway, garden path, and patio beauty and enjoyment.
Cleaning Your Pavers
Oily spills (from cook outs or automobile leaks on your new pavers patio) should be cleaned immediately. Soak up oily substances with cat litter, cornstarch, or dry sand before cleaning to 
get rid of excess oil. Scrub spot with a degreaser, soapy water, and a stiff brush. Do not use harsh chemical cleaners on any kind of spot on your pavers. The trick to removing tough oily stains the best that they can be removed is by soaking up the excess oil first so that you do not rub it in or spread it more than it has already spread.
Clean Regularly for Best Results
Regular sweeping with an ordinary stiff broom will help your patio or driveway stay clean and fade evenly. Be careful; however, not to remove sand or other material between the pavers as this filler is used to help keep them in place.
Your Pavers and the Sun
Over time, sunlight will fade your pavers and is especially noticeable if your pavers are brightly colored. Natural look pavers hold their color and beauty far longer. Clay pavers are not as strong as concrete pavers yet they look natural far longer. As the sun beats down on your pavers over the years, it causes a bleaching effect that presents as discoloration. If you leave a mat or other object in one spot, that spot underneath will look brighter than the rest of your pavers. It is better to allow it to fade uniformly in order to help retain the overall beauty. Patio furniture should be rotated to allow the same sunlight as the rest of the deck. Keep leaves and other debris swept up to prevent discoloration spots.
To keep your pavers looking their best, apply degreaser and hose water and scrub with broom or deck brush with stiff bristles. Wash off with garden hose. Your pavers are design to withstand washing and weather for years. You can extend their life with a sealer applied regularly.
Proper Steps to Clean Your Patio or Driveway Pavers
- Apply a sealer uniformly to your pavers every two to three years
- Soak your pavers with water from your garden hose
- Apply a soapy degreaser to the surface of your pavers
- Using a stiff broom or long poled deck brush, scrub your pavers thoroughly
- Rinse your pavers area thoroughly with your garden hose to remove the dirt, soap, and degreaser
- Allow to dry completely before using your pavers area
A Lifetime of Pavers Beauty
Following these simple steps will help your beautiful pavers to retain that beauty for years and years. These simple maintenance tips are generalized. Be sure to follow all warnings and directions on the detergents and degreasers used to clean your pavers. You will get a lifetime of use and enjoyment of them if you follow these easy cleaning rules as well as sealing your pavers against the elements regularly.