If you plan to renovate your home, you should consider applying a paving sealer to your patio, walkway, or driveway.
Having a sealed patio will surely make your home more attractive and functional.
Purchase a good water-based product instead of a solvent-based one.
It is safer and easier to use.
Plus, a water-based paving sealer is better for the environment.
So, if you care about the environment, you should only use products that are environmentally acceptable.
Anyway, the first thing that you need to do before you apply the paving sealer on your patio is take away decor and furniture.
You should store these things in your shed to keep them from being in the way of the sealing process.
You should clear the area completely, so you can apply the sealant properly.
Then, you should clean your patio.
Sweep away the dirt particles and wipe off any visible stains.
Take your time in cleaning to ensure that everything is clean.
See to it that there isn't any dirt left behind.
If you do not get rid of these particles and debris, they will become trapped in the paving sealer.
The simplest way to scrub dirt off is using an acid cleaner.
You can buy muriatic acid from a nearby store or use a commercial cleaner.
Just be careful not to splash it on your skin because you might get burned.
Also, do not forget to wear protective gloves and a facemask.
These cleaners produce unpleasant vapors that may be harmful to your health.
If your entire patio is dirty, you should dilute the cleaner in water and spray it on the surfaces.
You should use four parts water and one part cleaner.
You can place the mixture in a spray bottle or garden sprayer.
Let the cleaner sit on the surface for about five minutes before rinsing it off.
If the stains are stubborn, you should scrub them with a washcloth, a mop, or a scrubber.
Do not start applying the sealer if there are still weeds, algae, moss, and any other unwanted elements on the area.
As for the molds and mildew that has grown on your patio, you can use a power washer to get rid of them.
You should choose a power washer with sufficient power for the job.
This means that you should not use anything that is rated less than 2400 psi.
In addition, you should look for a power washer with a tip that can fan the water out slightly.
It could be around fifteen inches.
See to it that you work in sections when cleaning your patio.
Do not try to clean all of it at once.
You might miss out small areas if you do not clean thoroughly.
Also, you should not forget to inspect the paver stones.
Over time, they can shift or settle, making them uneven.
You can use a screwdriver to pry the uneven ones out.
After you remove them, you can add some sand and smooth it out.
Then, you can re-install the bricks and make your paver leveled again.
Finally, you should get your patio ready to be sealed with your paving sealer.
You should re-gout the joints in between the stones using sand and follow the instructions specified on the paving sealer.