When properly maintained, Belgard pavers are guaranteed to last the life of your home. However, even if your concrete pavers were sealed when they were originally installed, sealants will wear over time, leaving your pavers vulnerable to stains from spills, dirt, grease and other elements.
Pavers that have never been sealed are particularly vulnerable. However, before sealing or resealing pavers, it’s important to remove existing stains, and even more important to note that not all stains are equal. Thankfully, the experts at Techniseal® developed a full line of paver cleaning products, each specifically formulated to combat a particular type of concrete stain that can be found through various dealers.
Paver Cleaner and Stain Remover
Pre-Seal Cleaner
If you’re simply dealing with ground-in dirt or efflorescence, this general cleaner will do the trick, as well as prep your pavers to be sealed. Efflorescence refers to the whitish salt deposits that can develop on paver surfaces and make pavers look dull and lifeless. Techniseal® Pre-Seal Cleaner will gently remove efflorescence, scuff marks and dirt, and brighten paver color.
Rust Remover
If you’ve ever moved a planter and discovered a rusty ring beneath it, you’ll be happy to know that Techniseal® Rust Remover for Pavers effectively dissolves stains caused by dripping rusted water, rusted metal furniture or objects, steel streaks, and fertilizer granules. Since it contains no muriatic acid, Rust Remover for Pavers won’t damage the paver material. To remove fertilizer stains from a large surface, however, it’s recommended to use Techniseal® Pre-Seal Cleaner.
Dirt & Grease Cleaner
When you’re looking to remove motor oil stains from your paver driveway or barbecue stains from your outdoor kitchen or patio, Techniseal® Dirt & Grease Cleaner for Pavers is the ideal choice. Recommended for sealed surfaces and fresh stains, it dissolves, dislodges and encapsulates grease, thoroughly cleaning without leaving any oily film after rinsing.
Professional Grade Oil & Grease Remover
So, how about grease stains that have been there a while? Ideal for older, penetrated petroleum-based stains, Techniseal® Professional Grade Oil & Grease Remover is an industrial strength cleaner that lifts and absorbs embedded oil stains as it dries from a liquid to a powder. Formulated to work with pavers, concrete slabs, walls and natural stone, this product works without damaging or discoloring the material and requires no scrubbing or rinsing (yes, you read that correctly).
Organic Stain Remover
For those of us who are a bit clumsy in the outdoor kitchen, have no fear, there’s a cleaner for that. Red wine, blood, non-greasy food stains…they’ve got you covered. Techniseal® Organic Stain Remover will also effectively remove stains from moss, mildew and dead leaves from either bare or sealed surfaces with minimum scrubbing.
Paint, Tar And Rubber Remover
If the neighbor’s kid spits his gum out on your paver pool deck, there’s a cleaner for that, too. Techniseal® Paint, Tar and Rubber Remover for Pavers effectively dissolves paint, tar or bitumen, rubber, or chewing gum on pavers, concrete slabs and masonry.
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44 comments
We were going to have Belgard come out to the house and give us an estimate on an expansive stone patio and outdoor kitchen. I noticed in your recent post that you would need to clean and seal the stone on a regular basis. Problem….we live on a water well and actually it is near where the addition will be added. I can’t have any contaminants near the water source. What are your suggestions?
Sealants shouldn’t be an issue, because they are applied directly to the paver surface (somewhat like paint) and do not run off. Regarding cleaning the pavers prior to resealing every 3-5 years, there is typically a rinsing process, which could result in runoff. I will direct your question to Techniseal to get their input and will get back with you. Another option you may want to look into is Belgard porcelain pavers. Porcelain does not absorb stains like concrete and therefore do not require maintenance.
The response from the experts at Techniseal:
While I would always recommend cleaning with the appropriate products, if the concern of contaminants is too much to risk it, power washing would be the next best option. Be sure to use a lower setting to avoid removing the surface texture of the pavers and exposing the aggregate. At least new pavers shouldn’t be heavily stained yet, and sealing them will help prevent stains from being absorbed into the pavers. Sealers don’t produce any runoff, so there’s no concern of contamination during the sealing process itself.
We had a melted citronella candle on our pavers. We got all the wax off but it left a stain. What is the best way to get rid of the stain . It is black in color. TIA.
Joel- Thanks for your comment. I would recommend https://techniseal.com/pro_en_us/dirt-grease-cleaner-hardscape-stain-remover-60101030
Good luck! and Thanks again!
Is there a recommended product that are effective in removing pencil marking and sidewalk chalk marking on newly installed Belgard Laffit Grana pavers that have yet to be sealed?
Simply hosing it off with a garden hose and rain water did not wash the pencil and chalk marking residue off. Tried the following methods/solutions with heavy scrubbing with a push broom and scouring pad without success to remove pencil and chalk markings: 1) soapy water, 2) baking soda and vinegar, 3) baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, 4) denatured alcohol, 5) 3100 psi pressure washing. Any help is appreciated.
Wow! Sounds like a tough stain. I’ll check with the experts at Techniseal and let you know what they recommend.
Techniseal recommends either of these two products: (click on product name for link)
* Paver Restorer: This is this their best gentle general paver cleaner.
* Paver Prep: This product is a stronger formula — just be sure to follow the directions strictly.
To find a Techniseal dealer in your area, visit the Techniseal locator at Techniseal.com.
Thank you for your reply. Is TechniSeal Paver Prep proven to remove the pencil and sidewalk chalk mark? Has it be tested? It seems to me that the product advertised above on this page such as the rust remover would be effective in removing particular rust stain. Similarly, is it guarantee that the TechniSeal Paver Prep you recommended will remove pencil mark and sidewalk chalk mark? I would hate to purchase yet another product which claims to do the trick only to find out that it does not work.
Also, I contacted the local dealer here in Northern California to see if we can get the Paver Prep you recommended and was told that the product can only be ordered in bulk “by the pallet” and there is none available in our area. I was told by the dealer that the Paver Prep also has an undefined and indefinite wait time for it to be shipped from a Florida warehouse if they are to ordered in bulk which they are not prepared to when there is only one customer (me) who is interested in the product and apparently there is a limited shelf life to it. This seems counter-intuitive for a company who wants people to use its product to make it so difficult for the general public who is willing to give it a try to gain access to it in the first place.
I have about 1,200 sq ft of pavers that have either pencil or chalk marks on them that I cannot get rid of. I would like to give the Pro Series Techniseal Paver Prep a try as you recommended. Can you send me some sample directly?
Last, if the Pro Series Techniseal Paver Prep cannot lift sidewalk chalk residue and the graphite stain left by pencil, I would also like to know what would be the next step in tackling these stains? Thank you for your help.
The customer service team at Techniseal can help you find a solution. Please email them at: service@technsieal.com
I recently hired someone to fix my shifting pavers. He mentioned that after he fixed them he would power wash them along with others in the back of my home. I arrived home to find my pavers in the back of my home that I must add were perfectly fine now look as though they have been vandalized with graffiti. They have dark swirls of circles all over them. Can you recommend something that will remove the graffiti look from my pavers?
For help with your specific issue, click here to visit the Techniseal support page where you can submit photos for a more accurate response.
Spilled sugar water from humming bird feeder.pavers. not sealed,( our contractors said not necessary) opps… won’t come up.pavers 3 yrs old.what to do?
That could be a tough one. You might want to contact Techniseal directly and get advice from one of their in-house experts. Click here to get to a support page that will allow you to upload photos of your stain so they can get a better idea of what you’re dealing with.
What would help remove a wax stain due to a citronella candle that tipped? 🙁
Scrape off as much of the wax as possible with a putty knife. Lay a wet kitchen towel on top of the remaining stain and heat with a hairdryer on the hottest setting. Wipe in a circular motion to remove the wax. This should do the trick.
Belgard pavers installed 7.31.19. Deck stained w water-base stain, Wolman Raincoat Water Repellant Toner-sealer, 9.3.19. Lots of over spray on pavers. What cleaner is needed and what is the actual cleaning process? I am sick about this.
Let me check with the folks at Techniseal and get back with you.
Techniseal is reluctant to make any recommendations, since the product is made by another manufacturer and they don’t know the chemical composition. They suggested that you reach out to Rustoleum, since Wolman is one of their brands. They may be able to help you. Here is their support page: http://www.rustoleum.com/pages/help-and-support. Hopefully, they will have suggestions on how to strip the stain. Good luck!
How do I remove dried paver sand off the pavers?
Techniseal Paver Restorer is an excellent product for removing polymeric sand haze from pavers. To find a dealer near you, visit their locator page.
We installed a paved patio and there is a “haze “ from the polysand. I have tested a few pavers with the Belgard cleaner and have not rinsed yet . I’m worried about contamination of yard . We are on a well . Also how do I discard the used cleaner in the bucket? Because we are on septic . Will it ruin pipes?
Out of curiosity, which brand/type of polymeric did you use that left the haze? Techniseal Paver Prep (used according to directions, properly diluted and properly rinsed after application) should cause no harm to your yard or landscaping. Techniseal does recommend saturating any surrounding planter beds prior to application. Using well water, it’s possible that your water can leave a slight haze because of the higher mineral content typically present in well water, if it does not have a treatment system.
Question: I cleaned an area rug on my paver patio and the solution left large stains! Which cleaner would you suggest to remove the stain? Patio had not been sealed. Thank you in advance
It might be best if you reach out to Techniseal directly via their support portal. That way you can upload images, which will allow them to better answer your questions. Click here to visit their support page.
I’m having great trouble finding any dealers who stock Techniseal products. Every “Where to Buy” source I’ve checked (from the Techniseal site) says that they don’t have it in stock and can’t get it in small quantities.
What is the second-best cleaner & sealer brand for Landings Dark Charcoal steps? I’m interested in removing a couple of fertilizer rust stains, a general cleaner (steps have never b been sealed), and a low/no gloss sealer that will make the steps look a bit blacker.
Where are you located?
We just installed a patio a couple of months ago. It is unsealed and of course someone dropped a plate of barbeque wings on the pavers and I cannot get the stain to come off. I tried hot water and soap. What would you suggest? The stain is now a couple of weeks old.
The best stain remover for this application is Techniseal Dirt & Grease cleaner.
Thanks for the tips! I’m in the process of sealing my pavers and wanted to be sure I use the best cleaners. It’s really important to get this right – can you tell me a little more about what works best?
I’m especially interested in removing oil/grease stains. Do you have any advice on how to do that?
Thanks again,
Check out Techniseal’s Oil & Grease remover.
The landscapers in our development used granular fertilizer very late last fall, so late that I did not go outside to use the patio until this spring. To my dismay there are a number of iron stains on the pavers that I’m sure were caused by fertilizer granules that they failed to remove with their blower. Worst of all are the caps on the wall; they are really stained. What would be effective to clean these rust stains? Further, is there any kind of stone stain for the paver caps that can be applied to bring back the color? It was sable and they are quite faded. And what sealer would you recommend?
Apologies for the belated reply. We reached out to Techniseal for their input. For the fertilizer stains, use Techniseal rust remover. To boost the color and protect the wall caps, use Techniseal Color Boost Sealant.
How about folic acid stain from last fall
The folic acid may have actually changed the chemical properties of the concrete. You may need to try a Color Boost sealant to rejuvenate it.
Hello. I have oil stains on my permeable pavers. Which is the best cleaner to use?
Techniseal Oil & Grease remover is an easy-to-use industrial strength cleaner specifically designed to lift and absorb embedded oil and grease stains.
We just had Belgard pavers installed on our patio, we sealed them with Techniseal and we just had our first rain, there are stains all over our patio from the leaves that fell and then got wet! How can we get these stains off? We tried using Dawn liquid soap and a brush and it helped a tiny bit but they are still there! HELP
Those stains should not have happened if they were just sealed. I would recommend reaching out to Techniseal support. Here’s a link to their web form where you can upload images.
Our new patio is not even done yet and the pavers have already stained from the maple tree in the yard. Obviously we’ll need to clean and seal the pavers to protect from future discoloration, but I’m extremely disappointed with how easily these pavers stained. The Techniseal products don’t seem to be available locally, and I’m at a loss about what to do. I will email them, but I’d also like some recommendations for other products we can consider for cleaning. I’m working with my contractor as well to figure out a solution since we’re not even done with installation yet, and I’m sure he will try to help, but it’s massively frustrating to be dealing with this quickly. I’m not sure how the Belgard guarantee of quality works if the staining happens before the install is complete even – we haven’t even had a chance to seal it, and I’ll be so upset if we can’t get it clean.
Thank you for reaching out. I’ll be happy to get you in contact with one of our product experts to assist you. Can you please tell me where you’re located? Feel free to contact our customer service team at the number below or reply here.
866-256-7404
I’m getting ready to seal our 3 year old Belgrade patio with Techniseal Color Boost, planning to first prep with Techniseal Paver Prep (1:6 ratio). However it warns to protect vegetation from Paver Prep. Runoff from the process will definitely end up on our grass. How toxic is Paver Prep to grass and are there any suggestions for minimizing the effect of Paver Prep on my lawn’s grass and soil abutting right up to the patio?
Jay,
We reached out to our Techniseal Technical team to get a response for your question and they stated that when using the Paver Prep near vegetation, always wet the surrounding area well first before using. Once you reach the rinsing off step during the Paver Prep installation, please make sure to also rinse then very well.
Great pointers – thank Joe!