A new patio is a long-term investment and provides many years of service and enjoyment.  To help you keep your paving looking its best for longer, we are providing a guide to assist you with maintenance.

Q – Can I use salt to de-ice my patio?
A – No. During freezing and thawing conditions, the use of salt can affect the appearance of the paving

Q - What can I use as an alternative for de-icing?
A - The only product we recommend is regular sand.

Q – Why do I need to seal my patio? 
A – Sealing your patio will protect the surface against any materials that may cause stains

Q – How do I clean my patio?
A – Once the product is sealed it is easy to clean with soap and water.

Q – Why do the paving stones have dark patches?
A – This is due to differential weathering, where the surface of the paving has cured at different rates, causing darker variation on the paving.  Generally this is exaggerated by the presence of efflorescence, which, once removed, will reduce the effect of the dark patches.  As with efflorescence the dark patches will generally disappear with time.

Q – Can Bradstone Pavers be installed on a driveway?
A – No. Bradstone paving is only intended for patios and walkways where exposure to de-icing salts will not occur and should not be adjacent to driveways.

Q – What is efflorescence?
A – Efflorescence is a natural phenomenon and can occur with all cement-based products.  It may appear randomly and will possibly appear more pronounced on coloured paving.  The white bloom may give the impression that the colour is fading, but when wet, you will find that the efflorescence vanishes and the paving returns to its original shade.  Be reassured that efflorescence has no detrimental effect on the performance of the paving and will generally disappear with time.

Q - How long will efflorescence last?
A – This is difficult to predict as factors such as climate conditions, location and aspect (damp/shady or open/sunny) are variables, which can affect the extent of the phenomenon.  However it can take in excess of 12 months to disappear

Q – Can efflorescence be removed without the wait?
A – Efflorescence may be removed with a proprietary brand cleaner, but be sure to follow all manufacturer’s instructions as incorrect cleaning can result in damage and discoloration of the paving surface.  Ideally, the new paving should be left several months to allow as much of the lime as possible to leave the concrete to minimize the risk of recurrence.

Q – When do I seal my patio?
A – In the summer months you should wait 2 to 3 months before sealing. It is recommended that efflorescence cleaner be used prior to applying the sealer. This will remove any efflorescence and allow the sealer to penetrate in equal amounts. Should the paving be installed in the fall then sealing should be done prior to cold weather as per manufacturers instructions.