How To Clean Brick Driveway

Brick is very popular because it is classic and timeless. Brick brings that interesting texture and personality to an area.

Cleaning brick pavers involves choosing the right cleaning solution and equipment. Regular all-purpose cleaners may do, but there are also cleaners specially formulated for bricks. You can use a stiff broom or brush to clean it, but a pressure washer makes cleaning brick pavers easier and more efficient.

Side by side comparison of brick pavers being pressure cleaned — Brick paving with half pressure cleaned and half still dirty

Cleaning Brick Pavers

Brick pavers add a lot of character to the property. But if they are not properly maintained, it can get very dirty and unattractive, fast.

If the brick paver is not maintained correctly, it will absorb and retain stains. Moss can grow on it, and weeds could develop along the joints and cracks.

That is why proper cleaning and maintenance of brick pavers is critical.

Below is a step by step detailed guide on how to clean your brick pavers so that they look like new again. The process of cleaning your brick pavers can easily be completed in one to two days and the larger equipment that you may not have lying around like a pressure washers or surface cleaner can be hired from your local equipment hire business.

Materials Needed

To clean brick pavers, you will need:

Broom or push brush

Bucket or garden hose (if you will not be using a pressure washer with a soap nozzle attachment)

Brick cleaner or detergent

Pressure washer, preferably with a surface cleaner

Steps to Clean Brick Pavers

Step 1 – Clean and clear the paved area

Remove all furniture, toys, pots, and other things on your brick pavers.

Brush away loose surface dirt and debris. Using a leaf blower can make the job easier.

Step 2: Remove weeds

If weeds are growing along the cracks and joints, remove them either by manually pulling them out one by one, or use a pressure washer along the joints.

If the brick pavement is overtaken with lots of weed along the joints, you can apply herbicide a few weeks before cleaning.

After the herbicide has done its job, you can sweep the weeds off, pull them out, or use a pressure washer to wash the dead weeds off the joints.

Remember that if you use a pressure washer to remove weeds along the paver joints, you could damage the joints and you may need to re-sand or repair the joints of the brick pavers after cleaning.

Step 3: Cut around the edges of the brick pavement

Using a pressure washer, cut along the edges, especially if you will use a surface cleaner.

Cutting along the edges will ensure that every area is clean, even those that the surface cleaner does not reach.

Rinse the brick pavers thoroughly to remove loose surface dirt and to moisturise the brick pavers.

Step 4: Apply brick cleaner or detergent

You can choose to use a regular liquid detergent if your brick pavers are not too dirty.

There are also cleaning solutions available specifically for bricks and similar surfaces.

If your brick pavers have oil or grease, a cleaning solution with a degreaser is more appropriate.

If you will use an ordinary liquid detergent, dilute it in water. For more specialised cleaning solutions, follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Pour or spray the cleaning solution on your brick pavers.

You can use a bucket and pour it out, or you can spray it on using a garden sprayer or the pressure washer with the soap nozzle attached.

Step 5: Agitate the cleaning solution on to the brick pavers

You can use a hard brush to agitate the solution on to the brick pavers.

You can skip the brushing if you will use a pressure washer.

Take care that the solution does not dry before you get a chance to rinse it off.

To avoid drying especially in larger areas, clean the brick pavers in smaller and more manageable areas before moving on.

Step 6: Pressure wash brick pavers

After applying the cleaning solution, clean the brick pavers using a push brush or a pressure washer.

– Push brush and bucket to clean brick pavers

Using a push brush, agitate the cleaning solution some more by brushing, and then follow up with water from a hose or bucket.

– Pressure washer to clean brick pavers

A pressure washer is more convenient in cleaning brick pavers. Use the appropriate nozzle attachment or setting and clean the brick paver at an angle.

A rotating nozzle will be more effective in agitating the cleaning solution on the pavers.

The ideal setting for the pressure cleaner to clean brick pavers is at about 2500 to 3000 psi. A pressure washer with less power, like 1500psi, can still clean, but only effective for bricks that are not too dirty.

Do not point the nozzle directly down the brick pavers and joints as that could damage them.

Keep the pressure cleaner's nozzle at a constant distance from the pavers, about 150 to 200 mm (6 to 8 inches).

Take care when washing along the joints to avoid damaging them unless you intend to re-sand after cleaning.

Work the pressure washer in rows, overlapping each row a little to ensure that you do not miss a spot.

– Pressure washer with surface cleaner to clean brick pavers

A surface cleaner is the best option in cleaning brick pavers. The surface cleaner will enable you to clean the brick pavers more efficiently.

By using a surface cleaner, you are surer of the consistency of the cleaning, avoiding streaks and pitting.

It is easier to keep the distance of the surface cleaner on the pavers, unlike with a nozzle and wand.

Keep moving and do not keep the surface cleaner on one spot for too long.

Step 7: Rinse and dry

When you are satisfied that the brick pavers are clean, rinse off the cleaning solution thoroughly.

You can use a regular or high-pressure garden hose or a pressure washer.

Rinse until there is no more cleaning solution left and the water runs clear.

Allow the brick pavers to dry.

Once the pavers dry, you will be able to see if you missed some spots, or if there are stains left.

Step 8: Re-sanding and sealing

Sanding brick pavers

Re-sanding is sometimes a part of the plan after a deep clean of the brick pavers.

It is also necessary if the joints have been damaged by washing.

All Done!

If this process seems daunting or you don't have the time or the equipment to clean your brick pavers but you want the end result, book a quote with Harwood's Lawn Care and we can have your brick pavers looking new again in no time at all!

More information about our Pressure Cleaning Services Here.