Hardscape Cleaning & Maintenance (HCM) is the ongoing care your patio, walkway, or retaining wall needs after installation to stay durable and looking its best. It typically includes joint re-sanding, pressure washing, sealing, and minor repairs, and most professionals recommend starting the process within 6 months to a year of installation.
Everyone loves a newly installed hardscape. We take pride in the renovated spaces we build and the upgraded curb appeal they provide. What we don’t talk about enough is the routine maintenance needed to keep that beautiful hardscape looking its best for years to come.
Hardscape materials have advanced tremendously over the years. Manufacturers have revolutionized the aggregates and pigments used in their products, extending their lifespan. There is, however, still basic cleaning and maintenance required. Without a structured maintenance schedule, you’ll slowly see wear and tear on your outdoor living space — and left undone, that can contribute to erosion and costly repairs.
What Should I Expect to See After a Hardscape Installation?
Shortly after installation, you may notice efflorescence on your pavers and walls. This is a naturally occurring white, chalky stain that develops on the face of concrete products. While it can look unsightly, efflorescence dissipates over time, or can be removed through an annual cleaning and sealing.
With time, you may also start to notice the joint sand failing. This is usually signaled by moss growth or sand wash-out between the pavers.
What Hardscape Maintenance Services are Available?
Joint Re-Sanding
Failing joint sand — signified by growing weeds, moss, or ant hills and insects — along with all other joint contents, is removed by pressure washing with a specialized nozzle and setting. Once the surface is dry, new high-performance polymeric joint sand is swept into the joints and compacted using a vibratory plate compactor. This process is repeated until the proper density of polymers and sand is achieved, then the sand is moistened in sequential steps to activate the polymers (polymerization).
Cleaning
Using a stripping agent, any previous sealant coating and residue is removed, if applicable. This is followed by cleaning with a hardscape cleaner/paver primer to free the surface of ground-in dirt, efflorescence, staining, or oxidation. This step also opens the concrete’s pores so it can properly “accept” the new sealer.
Sealing
When it comes to sealing, you usually have two options. You can use a semi-gloss finish, which is an enhancing sealer, or a matte finish, which is a natural-looking, water-based sealer. This creates a water-resistant, professional-strength finish that protects against future wear, staining, dirt, and contamination — helping sustain and enhance the look and life of your hardscape while keeping joints secure and protected from staining and aggregate depletion.
Repairs
Over time, installations can shift and sink. Common causes include poor drainage (such as improper downspout placement), excessive tire traffic, and edge restraint failure. Homes without a gutter system can also develop drip lines that cause permanent damage to the face of the hardscape. Repairs can range from leveling the base and reinstalling sunken pavers to replacing broken materials and reinstalling edge restraint.
When Should I Have Hardscape Maintenance Completed?
1 Year After Installation
While some pavers and hardscape materials come with built-in sealing products, not all do. We recommend sealing within 6 months to a year after installation to help with joint sand longevity and long-lasting stain protection. Once sealed, repeat the process every 3–5 years.
2-3 Years After Installation
If no maintenance was done in year one, we typically recommend a full deep clean via power washing, followed by sealing.
4+ Years After Installation
At this stage, it’s worth a close look at your hardscape to determine if new joint sand is needed or if minor touch-ups and repairs are necessary. This is also a good time to talk with our HCM specialists about cleaning and sealing options that would benefit your specific project.
Protect Your Investment
The goal of any well-maintained hardscape is to stay ahead of it with routine, preventative care. Seal your recently installed project sooner rather than later to preserve its beauty — or let us restore your older project back to life. Our high-performance joint sands, cleaners, and coatings enhance the look of your hardscape and protect your investment from future wear, efflorescence, staining, and contaminants.
Contact Bahler Brothers to schedule a Hardscape Cleaning & Maintenance evaluation for your property.
