24 Jul 2024

Bluestone Pavers: Your Guide to Care and Maintenance Tips

If you are thinking of outdoor paving, for instance a patio, verandah, courtyard, pool surround or maybe a backyard paving and if you are considering Bluestone, you have hit the Jackpot!

We have heard a lot of people talking and complementing about “Catspaws” on Bluestone, do you know what they are? Well, in layman language they are the distinctive marks on the surface of the stone that offers the most unique look to any project space.

You will fall in love when you look at the stone for yourself. Plus, the stone is about greyish tone which complements Australian Architecture well and as a matter of fact it is in trend too.

Bluestone is beautiful to look at and incredibly durable. Your Bluestone pavers' stunning appearance inevitably expresses pride and appreciation, whether you're lounging on the porch or walking down a lovely pathway. To ensure they keep their shine and continue providing timeless beauty to your surroundings, they must be carefully cared for and maintained, just like any other investment.

In this blog, we'll take you through some vital tips that will preserve the aesthetic appeal of your Bluestone pavers as well as ensure that they keep being a beautiful centrepiece in your outdoor space. So, let’s get started!

Maintenance Tips for Bluestone Pavers

Regular washing and cleaning

Start your maintenance regimen by cleaning regularly. When installed in outdoor spaces such as pool decks, patios, walkways and backyards, Bluestone pavers are prone to grime, dirt and debris, and may begin to lose their visual appeal if not cleaned properly and consistently. A straightforward, regular cleaning schedule will do the trick. Here’s what you can do.

• Sweep: Use a simple broom or leaf blower to clear leaves, dirt and loose debris from your Bluestone floors on a regular schedule.
• Hose Down: To quickly clean larger areas, rinse out loose dirt and surface grime with a garden hose. Let the area dry completely before using it again.
• Gentle Soap Solution: Use a soft-bristle brush for scrubbing the pavers and apply a light soap or stone-specific cleaning solution mixed with water for a more thorough clean. This is effective in cleaning dirt patches. Rinse out the soap thoroughly.

Take the correct approach to treating stains

Given that Bluestone is a porous material, stains can easily penetrate its surface. If spills or elements from the outdoors such as leaf litter cause staining, take immediate action to prevent permanent marks. Different kinds of spills need a different approach, consider this while treating the stains.

• Grease and oil: Use blotting paper and let it sit for some time on the stain to soak as much as possible. After a few minutes use a little stone-appropriate soap solution to clean the extra residue.
• Wine Stains: Don't hesitate to act right away if you spill wine or any other liquid. Use an absorbent towel to soak up extra liquid before gently dabbing to prevent the stain from getting bigger. Rubbing will only make the stain worse. Then use pH-neural cleaner to clean the stain. If it's bad don't experiment with kitchen ingredients, seek help from an expert.

Sealing for surface protection

A sealant is an absolute must to keep your Bluestone pavers looking good and last longer. Here’s exactly what they can do.

• Protect against stains: A good sealer helps safeguard the stone's surface from stains by forming an outer coating that keeps stains from seeping through.
• Enhance colour: Your Bluestone's inherent colour can be accentuated, making it more intense and vivid.
• Increase durability: Pavers that have been sealed become less prone to weathering and cracking. Resealing the paving stones is recommended according to requirements, usually every 1-2 years, subject to usage and weather conditions.

Repairing cracks and chips

As they age, your Bluestone pavers may develop tiny chips or cracks. It is essential to address these issues as soon as you spot them to prevent more serious ones:

• Crack fixing: To patch small breakages, use premium stone epoxy or filler made especially for natural stones.
• Chips: Broken pavers can be repaired with matching pavers or by using premium stone glue to restore the damaged section.

Inhibiting weed growth

Now and then, weeds or grass may sprout up in the spaces between Bluestone pavers. To prevent this, think about using a plant-based barrier before laying the pavers. Use jointing sand or polymeric sand to cover the spaces between the pavers to further inhibit the growth of weeds. Do this periodically to achieve the best results.

Regular inspections

Give the Bluestone pavers a full routine check to detect any issues early on. Look for signs of cracking, shifting or uneven settling. Address these problems as soon as you can to prevent more severe damage in the future.

Professional repair services

Seek an appointment with an expert if you require full maintenance. By thoroughly cleaning, repairing and resealing your pavers, they can guarantee that they stay in outstanding shape for a long time.

The Final Word!

With a little care and regular maintenance, Bluestone's timeless charm can be maintained for decades, allowing you to have more time to enjoy the tranquillity of your garden or the warmth of your patio than worry about its upkeep.

With regular cleaning, the right sealing and timely stain treatment, your Bluestone pavers can keep looking as fresh as their initial day of installation. The above-mentioned recommendations will ensure that your Bluestone investment will continue to bring you joy for many years to come, continually enhancing the overall appeal of your property.

Explore our stunning Bluestone collection today and speak to our stone experts if you’re seeking assistance to make the right stone selection for your space.

FAQs

How to clean Bluestone pavers?

You can always use water and a mop to clean the stone, which in fact is a safe bet. If you see a lot of debris on the surface, you can also mix a PH neutral cleaning solution in water to clean the surface. Do not use harsh chemicals for cleaning.

How to seal Bluestone pavers?

We recommend dip sealing the stone before installation. This will ensure that the stone is protected from both the ends, surface and the bottom.

The other way would be to do surface sealing. That would be two coats, once you are done with the first coat wait for it to dry and then do the other coat.

What is the best cleaner for Bluestone paves and tiles?

You can always use a PH neutral solution mixed in water to clean your bluestone tiles and pavers, do not make the mop too wet, the excessive water can sweep in the porous stone and damage the surface.

Never use harsh chemicals or normal cleaning agents in your home.

Can you acid clean Bluestone pavers?

The answer is a big “NO”, the stone would react with the acidic solution and the damage would be irresistible. Only use PH neutral solution to clean your stone.

Can you pressure wash Bluestone pavers and tiles?

Well sure you can pressure wash Bluestone pavers and tiles, not too often though. You can periodically do it, let’s say after every 2-3 years. Make sure to reseal the surface after you have pressure washed the stone.

*Disclaimer: All information and advice given above in the blog are to the best of our knowledge. Please reconfirm at your end before execution.