Professional Paver Cleaning
Blast away years of dirt, moss, and weeds. We use commercial-grade equipment and specialized cleaning solutions to restore your hardscape safely.
More Than Just a Pressure Wash
A standard home pressure washer typically lacks the water flow and consistency needed to clean pavers effectively. Using a standard wand can often damage the surface of your brick or leave uneven "stripes" without actually removing deep-set bacteria and grime.
At Chicagoland Paver Sealing, we use commercial-grade high-volume, low-pressure washers paired with rotary surface cleaners. All of our equipment is truck and trailer mounted. This technology delivers a uniform, consistent clean across every square inch of your patio or driveway, lifting dirt from the pores without subjecting the stone to dangerous, concentrated pressure that can cause etching.
Pro Tip
Sealants permanently trap existing stains. We perform a deep clean first because any moss, oil, or efflorescence left on the surface will be locked under the sealer forever.
What We Remove
Living in the Chicago suburbs, your pavers face biological attacks from humidity and organic debris. We specialize in deep cleaning:
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🖤 Organic Growth: Black mold, green algae, and slippery moss that grows in shaded areas.
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🌿 Weeds & Grass: We blast weeds out from the root in the joints to prepare for fresh sand.
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🚗 Oil & Stains: We use professional-grade degreasers to lift stubborn surface stains.
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⚪ Efflorescence: The white, powdery salt residue that leaches out of brick.
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🍂 Tannin Stains: Brown stains left by decaying leaves and acorns.
The Danger of DIY Cleaning
Many homeowners try to rent a machine to clean their own patio. This often results in:
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"Zebra Striping": Uneven lines left by using a spray wand instead of a rotary surface cleaner.
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Joint Damage: Blowing out all the sand aggressively, causing pavers to shift and sink.
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Plant Damage: Using harsh bleach or unproven chemicals that kill the surrounding grass and landscaping can be a recipe for disaster. We use specialized surface cleaners that provide an even, uniform clean, and we treat your landscape with care.
The Danger of Hiring an Amateur
Unlike general pressure washing contractors who can inadvertently strip or damage your pavers with improper techniques, we bring almost 30 years of specialized experience in the hardscape restoration industry to every job.
Common Mistakes Inexperienced Contractors Make:
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Blasting Out Joint Sand: Using excessive pressure often washes away the specialized sand between pavers, which destabilizes the entire surface and promotes rapid weed growth.
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Etching the Surface: High-pressure tips can strip the delicate finish off concrete pavers, exposing the aggregate and leaving the stones with a rough, "pitted" texture that attracts more dirt.
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Leaving "Tiger Stripes": Without the proper surface-cleaning equipment, inexperienced operators often leave visible, uneven wand marks that ruin the aesthetic of the patio or driveway.
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Chemical Damage: Using harsh, undiluted chemicals can bleach out the natural color of the pavers and kill surrounding grass or landscaping.
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Trapping Efflorescence: Improper cleaning techniques can draw out natural salts (efflorescence) from the stone without removing them, leaving a permanent white haze on the surface.
Why You Must Seal After Cleaning
Cleaning is only half the battle. When we pressure wash, we open the "pores" of the brick to get the dirt out. If left unsealed, those open pores will absorb dirt, oil, and moisture faster than ever before.
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Clean it once, keep it clean: Sealing locks out the dirt we just removed.
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Stabilize the joints: After cleaning, we always install fresh polymeric sand to prevent weeds from returning.
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Application of sealant: Using a custom built sprayer, we spray a commercial-grade sealant on to the pavers. Spraying ensures that all surfaces, edges & chamfers receive an even coat of sealant.
Restore the original beauty of your home. Whether you are a prepping for a party, listing your home for sale or just tired of looking at a dirty driveway, let us handle the heavy lifting.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Paver Deep Cleaning
1. How often should pavers be professionally cleaned? Most paver patios and driveways should be professionally cleaned every 2–3 years, depending on sunlight exposure, drainage, tree coverage, and how quickly algae or weeds return. High-traffic areas or shady, damp environments may need cleaning more frequently.
2. Can I pressure wash my pavers myself? You can, but it often causes more harm than good. Consumer pressure washers tend to leave uneven “tiger striping,” blow out joint sand, and won’t kill the root systems of weeds or algae. Our equipment uses controlled pressure and commercial surface cleaning machines that protect the pavers while delivering a deeper, more uniform clean.
3. What types of stains can you remove? We can remove or significantly reduce most common stains, including: Mold, mildew & algae Leaf tannin staining Rust spots Oil & grease Mud and clay Browning from organic debris Efflorescence (white calcium buildup) Some deep-set rust and oil stains may not disappear 100%, but we get them as light as the surface will allow.
4. Will cleaning damage my pavers? No. Our process uses professional surface cleaners, correct PSI, and industry-safe detergents specifically made for concrete pavers. Unlike DIY pressure washing, we do not etch, scratch, or remove the surface finish.
5. Do you re-sand the joints after cleaning? Yes — this is a key part of the process. After cleaning and drying, we sweep in fresh polymeric sand to stabilize the pavers, prevent weed growth, deter insects, and strengthen the overall structure. Skipping this step is one of the biggest mistakes homeowners make when DIY cleaning.
6. Why do my pavers look dull or faded after cleaning? This is normal. Cleaning removes years of dirt and oxidized old sealant. Pavers usually look lighter and more “raw” afterward. That’s why we recommend sealing them — sealing restores color, enriches the surface, and protects them from future staining, weeds, and weather damage.
7. Do you recommend sealing after cleaning? Absolutely. Professional cleaning is step one — sealing is what locks in the cleanliness, protects the fresh joint sand, prevents future staining, and enhances color. Cleaning without sealing allows weeds, algae, and water intrusion to return much faster.
8. How long does the cleaning process take? Most paver patios and driveways take 2–4 hours to deep clean depending on size, buildup, and stain type. Larger driveways or patios with heavy moss or efflorescence may take longer.
9. How soon can we use the area after cleaning? You can walk on the pavers almost immediately after cleaning. If you’re having them sealed afterward, we recommend staying off the surface until the sealant cures — we’ll provide exact instructions based on temperature and weather.
10. Will deep cleaning remove weeds for good? Cleaning removes existing weeds and root systems, but long-term prevention comes from sealing and installing polymeric sand. With cleaning + sand + sealing, most homeowners see years without weed regrowth.
11. Can you clean pavers that were installed many years ago? Yes. Older pavers usually respond extremely well to deep cleaning. In many cases, a professional clean + new sand + fresh sealant makes them look 10–20 years younger.
12. Is deep cleaning safe for Unilock® pavers? Yes — our process is fully compatible with premium pavers like Unilock, Belgard, and other high-density concrete pavers. We adjust our pressure and detergents to each surface type and condition.
13. Will rain affect the cleaning process? A light drizzle is rarely an issue during cleaning. However, we need dry conditions for polymeric sand installation or sealing. We closely monitor weather to ensure perfect timing.
14. Do you offer maintenance plans? Yes — our Paver Protection Plan includes scheduled checkups, spot treatments, and discounted future cleanings or sealing to keep your patio or driveway protected year after year.