For some homeowners, looking at the state of their home’s hardscaping can be a tough site to bear. The faded driveway, discolored path and putrid patio reveal the results of hardscaping that has suffered far too much from the effects of traffic and outdoor elements.

The good news is thanks to the latest technology in stain removal and sealants you can freshen up and restore the beauty of your pavers and preserve them for years.

“While pavers offer superior durability, they’re often subjected to harsh conditions and are not impervious to stains from motor oil, barbeque grease, fertilizer, tire marks, paint spills, etc.,” said Rick DeMarchi, Director of Marketing for Techniseal, the leading manufacturer of treatment products for the concrete paver industry. “General wear and tear, dirt and the effects of the elements can also cause pavers to lose some of their original beauty.”

That beauty can be revived, he added, with a thorough cleaning with appropriate products and preserved by applying a sealer.

Cleaning and sealing pavers is typically a three-step process. The first step is the removal of obvious stains and dirt with the appropriate spot cleaners. Not all stains require the same cleaners. For example, Techniseal designed specific cleaners for ground-in dirt, rust, tar, oil, and grease stains.

Step two of the process is to even the appearance of the entire surface after spot cleaning. For this step DeMarchi recommends Techniseal’s Hardscape cleaner, a more gentle phosphate-free formula created specifically for pavers. It’s ideal for removing general grime and dirt. It ensures even cleaning and brightens up the color prior to sealant application.

The third and final step is the application of the sealer protection. While sealant technology continues to evolve, sealants can be broken down into a few key categories:

• Film-forming versus non film-forming

• Color enhancing (wet look) versus non color enhancing (dry look)

• Solvent-based versus water-based

• All are stain resistant

The selection of a sealer will depend on certain criteria. For example, if the pavement to be sealed is around a pool, then a non film-forming sealer that has no impact on slip and skid resistance would be best. If distinct colors are important, then a color enhancing sealer will help best to make the colors stand out. Or you may prefer a natural or an invisible sealer to preserve the natural look of the paver colors.

You can expect these sealants to repel countless stains for the next five years and avoid prematurely aging your pavement. Re-application will also be easier as there will be a significant amount of sealer remaining in the capillaries of the pavers. More information on sealant technology can be found at www.techniseal.com.