Paving Finder

Limestone Paving for Patios and Driveways – Pros and Cons

Limestone paving has proven to add elegance and charm to outdoor spaces. Every homeowner wants stone paving that adds aesthetics, structure, character, and class to their patio and exterior landscape. Limestone paving has the style, versatility, and durability you want for your stone paving. It is used on patios, exteriors, or driveways to give a flatter and smoother surface. Limestone is the cornerstone you can’t throw away if you are looking for a hard-wearing surface.

Limestone paving is an essential option if you’re considering ancient exterior aesthetics. The landscape has very soft color variations than most natural stones. It has a high hardness level and delivers high-density colors with fewer holes than other stones. It also has an excellent natural appearance and anti-slip properties. Limestone paving has very high durability making it popular in gardens and walkways. It resists acid-liquid erosion and can be cleaned with a mild alkaline-based solution which preserves the beauty and protects the limestone patio.

What I see is a limestone landscape
W.H. Auden

W.H. Auden said this when he was asked to imagine paradise. Each piece of limestone pavement ages beautifully and can serve as an excellent paver for your home, garden, and patio. This article is the best guide to help you decide if limestone paving is the stone paving you want.

What is Limestone?

Limestone is a natural material found all over the world. It’s a rock made from carbonate and calcium. Limestone forms under the sea; in marine water that is calm, clear, and shallow.

It is a durable natural stone that’s dense and hard-wearing. Limestone can withstand extreme temperatures and come in various colors for roads, patios, and driveways. The color variation is a result of the impurities that are found in the sediment.

A quarry where limestone for paving is extracted

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Pros of limestone paving

Although limestone has setbacks, it also has a lot of advantages and benefits that make it stand out. When you want to decide on which pavement to use for your roads, driveways, or patios, it’s best to go over the advantages and disadvantages. This act will tell if you are making the right choice or not.

Low- Maintenance

Many people love limestone pavement because it requires little effort to maintain.

Durability

Because limestone is naturally found in caves and mountains, they are durable. When used to pave our roads, gardens, or driveways, they can stand the test of time.

Malleability

Limestone is malleable and can be shaped to fit into garages, gardens, or patios. It enhances the softness and appearance of your environment.

Limestone is Eco-friendly.

You don’t have to worry about harming the environment when you use limestone as a paving material. Limestone is sustainable as it doesn’t emit carbon into the atmosphere.

Water Absorption

Limestone absorbs minimal amounts of water and can tolerate extreme weather conditions. It is a good option to explore for homeowners living in a rainy environment.

Cons of Limestone Pavement

Salt can cause the scaling of the limestone.

Sand is needed to ice the limestone drive or walkway. It can cause splitting, flaking or cracking, and fragmentation of the pathway.

Poor Foundation.

Limestone foundation capability is poor. When you use limestone to construct dams, roads, or driveways, it could cave in at any time due to changes in water pH and dissolve.

Limestone paving is very smooth and can be slippery when wet

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Is limestone paving slippery when wet?

The question of whether limestone paving is slippery or not depends on the finished surface of the pavement. Usually, limestone has a smooth surface, and when wet, it is slippery. However, it enhances and supports the surface when limestone pavement is finished with other gripping finishers. Like any stone, when the surface is polished, they become slippery when wet.

Natural stones are not inherently risky and are formed to allow you to hit rock bottom. But to be on the safe side and to avoid any possibility of hurting one sledge, you should consider a honed finishing. Honed or sand-blasted stone has a smooth but textured and firmer finish. It has less sheen and doesn’t reflect light. But the surface is strong, firm, and safer during rainy seasons or when wet floors are.

A honed finish prevents you from hitting rock bottom. It helps your driveway or walkway pavement to retain its footing and is slip-resistant and perfect for outdoor use.

Do you need to seal limestone paving?

You need to seal your limestone pavement to last the test of time. Sealing maintains the natural appearance of the stone and prevents stains.

Do you need to clean your limestone paving?

Limestone is a popular material used to pave walkways, driveways, and patios. Because of how shiny and beautiful the surface is, it’s used indoors to enhance the beauty of the environment. However, this smooth and eye-catching paving material would get clean quickly if not maintained well. Learning how to clean your limestone pavement will help prolong its life and keep it cleaned.

Before cleaning your limestone pavement, it’s good to consider its features. Limestone paving reacts with acid because it’s made up of calcium carbonate. When you decide to clean your limestone exterior, walkways, or patios, you should use substances that won’t accumulate and react with your pavement. When you bear all of these in mind, your limestone will look perfectly clean and outstanding after cleaning.

Does limestone pave stain?

Limestone is a durable material that can easily stain if not maintained properly. Most limestone pavements are coated with sealing substances, preventing them from oil or substance stains. If you find any stains on your sealed pavement, it’s possible that the seal is wearing off and needs to be renewed. The key to preserving your pavement is careful cleaning, maintenance, and surface protection.

A limestone cleaner or stain removal will help remove any stain on your pavement. It will carefully clean and remove any oil stain without scratching it or disrupting the natural color of your pavement. If you are unsure about carefully cleaning your pavement, contact a professional limestone cleaner to do the work.

Limestone paving colors and ideas

Midnight black limestone is smooth, flat, and slip-resistant, with a uniform appearance. It is easy to lay and beautiful. This carbon limestone paving has been calibrated to 25mm.

Dove grey limestone paving with a consistent depth of 22mm. This dove grey paving saves you time and money because it’s easy and quick to lay. Quality maintenance can help your limestone patios last the test of time.

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Kota green limestone gives your patio or exterior a brilliant appearance. It comes in different sizes.

Kota Blue Limestone paving. This blue blend of Kota ocean limestone paving makes your patio or exterior beautiful. Black accessories enhance the beauty of this ocean.

This limestone gives your patios and exterior a traditional vibe. It’s brilliant and decorated with cream, white, and grey patches.

How to lay limestone paving

Before laying your limestone paving, you must cut out your limestone slabs. This process is the most challenging due to the toughness of the stone; regardless if you have the right tools, it will help simplify the process for you. To cut your stone, you must:

Measure your slab with a pencil and ruler. Ensure you measure the correct dimension or the patterns you want to create.
With a diamond floor saw, cut off your slabs. You will want to take your time cutting to avoid destroying the slabs.
When you are done cutting, you will need to smooth out the edges of your slabs. We want to have the best pavement and not some rough work.

Now that we have all our slabs ready, it’s time to get into the main job. Laying your slab by individually bedding each slab into a full-mortar bed can be exciting. We will work you through the steps involved.

The mortar bed you need to lay your slab is usually made up of six parts soft sand, one part cement, six parts sharp sand, and only one part cement. A good mix will provide a solid foundation for your limestone patio. An electric or petrol mixer will make the mix more accessible and practical.

A step-by-step guide to laying your limestone paving:

The mixture to be spread must be more profound than the slab. Make sure the layer is 50mm thick.
Gently lay your slab down onto the bed, using a rubber mallet to go over the surface until it is leveled.
Place the rest of the slab, and go over the surface with a rubber mallet. Ensure you leave a gap of 10-12mm between each slab.
With mortar joints, fill up the gaps in between your slabs.
A pointing mortar is made from a mixture of one part of cement with six parts of sand. With a pointing trial, insert your mortar into the joints carefully.
Using a stiff brush, remove any excess from the surface before it tries off.

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Conclusion

Your paving choice for your patios and exteriors should depend on your preference, the style you want to achieve, the durability, maintenance level, property type, and, of course, the result.

About the Author: Tim Dawson

Tim is a seasoned paving expert with 30+ years of experience in the industry. He has worked on countless projects, from small residential driveways to large commercial parking lots.

September 15, 2022

Tips

Concrete Maintenance – 11 Factors to Make Your Pavement Last

Proper concrete maintenance can be the difference between still looking new years later and a surface people walk across fearing for their safety. While concrete is a long-lasting, durable material, it still requires maintenance to ensure longevity. Concrete repairs can be expensive and intensive, but you can largely avoid them with proper concrete maintenance.

Concrete maintenance covers all the steps you take to keep your structure looking and functioning at its best. Cleaning and sealing are the most important aspects of general preservation, but it’s vital to know the specifics of your material and its conservation needs. Whether your concrete is stamped, colored, polished, or standard, it needs maintenance to last its lifespan.

Read on to learn:

Does concrete require a lot of maintenance?
How often does concrete need maintenance?
What maintenance does concrete need?
Concrete driveway maintenance
Concrete patio maintenance
Does stamped concrete need maintenance?
Concrete parking lot maintenance
Colored concrete maintenance
Polished concrete maintenance
How to keep concrete clean
How to preserve concrete

1. Does concrete require a lot of maintenance?

Throughout its lifetime, your concrete will likely require little in the way of maintenance and routine care. With proper maintenance, expect your concrete to preserve its function and appearance for the structure’s life, with few repairs necessary. Concrete maintenance includes cleaning and sealing, removing stains, using compatible chemicals, limiting weight, and repairing all cracks and holes as soon as possible.

Further Reading — Concrete Parking Lot Repair — Everything you need to know

A concrete paving with grass underneath on it.

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2. How often does concrete need maintenance?

At a minimum, concrete should be cleaned yearly, ideally in the spring. Cleaning removes dirt, salt, and grime built up over the winter. Depending on the level of wear, you need to reseal your concrete surface every 1-2 years to reduce moisture infiltration and stains. You should clean any spills as soon as possible to prevent stains. You should also repair any cracks or holes as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the concrete surface and the underlying support.

Basic Concrete Maintenance Timeline

Maintenance Type	Frequency	Effect
Sweeping	Monthly	Removes surface dirt and debris
Washing	Yearly	Removes surface dirt and helps prevents stains.
Resealing	18 Months to 3 Years	Protect the underlying concrete, preserve the clean appearance

3. What maintenance does concrete need?

Keep your concrete looking clean and bright instead of stained and dirty by making yearly cleaning a vital part of your concrete maintenance schedule. After cleaning in the spring, reseal the concrete surface to maximize your concrete’s lifespan. Other aspects of concrete maintenance include repairing cracks, joints, and holes, using the correct chemicals, and ensuring functional drainage for the area to preserve the support structure for your concrete surface.

As you already know, concrete is an expensive material. Sticking to a proper maintenance schedule allows you to protect your investment.

4. Concrete driveway maintenance

Keeping a routine maintenance schedule for your concrete driveway will keep it looking fresh and new for years. Clean the driveway yearly, and depending on the weather in your area, traffic, and the amount of wear, reseal it every 1-2 years.

To keep your driveway looking its best, remove all stains immediately before they absorb into the concrete and cause discoloration. Avoid using harsh deicing chemicals on your concrete driveway, as they can cause or contribute to surface damage. If you have issues with traction, consider using sand.

While incredibly durable, your concrete driveway wasn’t built to support the weight of heavy machinery. Ensure these vehicles park on the street, where they won’t cause as much damage.

Further Reading — Concrete Driveway Thickness — What is your best option?

5. Concrete patio maintenance

You want your concrete patio to look as vibrant at ten years as it did on day one. To keep it looking new, reseal your patio every 2-3 years. A structure to provide shade will make your patio more comfortable and extend the life of decorative finishes and sealers. Ensure your downspouts don’t drain onto your patio, and your drainage system moves the water where you want it.

Using saucers under potted plants prevents soil, fertilizer, and water from staining your concrete. A power washer is an excellent tool for cleaning your concrete patio. Just be careful not to set the pressure too high or use too close a range, as it could damage the concrete.

6. Does stamped concrete need maintenance?

Stamped concrete maintenance is slightly different from caring for a flat concrete slab. Never use a pressure washer on your stamped concrete. The high pressure can break down the sealer over time and increase the wear rate of the concrete. Use gentle cleaners to release the dirt and debris trapped in the crevices of your stamped concrete, and rinse with a garden hose.

Reseal stamped concrete every 18-24 months to maximize the lifespan and protect color. You should avoid constant water exposure, scraping with metal furniture or shovels, salt and deicers, and acidic pet accidents on your stamped concrete to protect it as much as possible.

7. Concrete parking lot maintenance

The most important thing you can do to maintain a concrete parking lot is to keep it clean and in good working condition. Oil stains and grime won’t damage the structure of the concrete, but stains will become permanent over time. Clean concrete lasts longer and helps convey a better image for your business.

Seal cracks as soon as possible to prevent damage to the underlying structure and to avoid potholes. Sealing cracks in concrete stops water from getting under the concrete and eroding the support layers. Sweeping regularly and power washing yearly will help your concrete parking lot reach its expected 30-year lifespan. You will need to resurface your parking lot every 2-3 years to slow down its deterioration rate.

Further Reading — What causes potholes — A complete guide to potholes

8. Colored concrete maintenance

The pigments in colored concrete extend through the slab, so even with surface abrasion, it should maintain its color and shouldn’t fade. Clean it as you would plain concrete— sweep away surface dirt and debris, wash the concrete with gentle soap and water, and use a specialized concrete cleaner for tough stains. When sealing, which should be done every 18-24 months, use the concrete sealer recommended by the manufacturer of your colored concrete, as they will know what works best.

Further Reading — Resurfacing Concrete Parking Lot — How to get your concrete parking lot back to looking like new

9. Polished concrete maintenance

While a polished concrete floor is low-maintenance, it still requires some work to keep it in peak condition. Prevent surface damage by dust mopping daily with a clean microfiber pad. Mop your polished concrete floor with clean water and a non-acidic floor cleaner. Clean spills immediately to prevent any stains from penetrating the surface of the concrete. If the regular maintenance of your polished concrete floor is too much, consider hiring a professional service to care for it.

10. How to keep concrete clean

One of the most important things to remember about cleaning concrete is to use compatible chemicals. Check the manufacturer’s specifications to make sure whatever you plan to use is safe for your concrete. Colored, polished, stamped, or decorative concrete may separate cleaners.

Surprising ways to clean concrete:

Ammonia — Use to clean discoloration from concrete. Mix 1 gallon of water with 1 cup of ammonia and scrub the discolored spot. Rinse the concrete thoroughly when finished. Ammonia works well for animal urine and other organic stains.
Baking Soda — Try using baking soda to melt the ice on your concrete surface in winter. Baking soda is less harmful to your concrete than salt because it is less abrasive.
Oven Cleaner — Use oven cleaner to tackle oil, grease, or transmission fluid spots on your concrete surface. Let it stand for 10 minutes before scrubbing with a stiff brush and rinsing thoroughly.
Kool-Aid — One of the most surprising cleaners is unsweetened lemonade Kool-Aid. Mix it with hot water and wash away those rust stains.
WD-40 — Spray a little WD-40 on stubborn oil stains and simply rinse with water.

Further Reading — Parking Lot Cleaning — Steps to keep your lot clean

11. How to preserve concrete

The most effective way to preserve concrete is to keep it clean and regularly sealed. Proper maintenance extends the longevity of your concrete and keeps it looking fresh and bright. Sweep it often to clear away surface dirt and debris. Take care of spills immediately and wash the concrete surface regularly. Ensure a proper drainage system for the area so the layers supporting your concrete stay intact and don’t erode. Reseal your concrete on a steady schedule appropriate for the type and location.

Further Reading — How to build a concrete catch basin — 8 steps to follow

Conclusion

Concrete surfaces are expensive to prepare and pour, so it only makes sense to protect your investment with proper maintenance. Your concrete surface can last 30 years if you provide the right care. Sufficient maintenance will keep your concrete looking fresh and new years after it was poured. You can often avoid costly, labor-intensive concrete repairs with proper maintenance.

About the Author: Tim Dawson

Tim is a seasoned paving expert with 30+ years of experience in the industry. He has worked on countless projects, from small residential driveways to large commercial parking lots.

August 16, 2022

Tips

Sandstone Paving – A Guide For Your Patios and Driveways

Sandstone paving is a unique and aesthetically-pleasing way to enhance your patios and driveways. Of course, with so many different types of paving stones available, how can you know if sandstone is the right choice for you?

Sandstone is easy to install, simple to maintain, more sustainable than concrete, and looks great for tons of different applications, making it one of the most popular choices for driveways and patios.

Come with us as we discuss the ins and outs of sandstone paving so you can determine whether or not it is the right choice for you.

What Is Sandstone?

Sandstone is an ultra-common sedimentary rock that consists of clasts (or grains of materials, organic matters, and sand) that is anywhere from 0.06 to 2mm.

People classify different forms of sandstone by clasts. There are three different grains that these clasts are typically divided into, including:

grain type	clast size
Fine-grains	0.06 to 0.2mm
Mid-grains	0.2 to 0.6mm
Coarse-grains	0.6 to 2mm

There are also different categories that we divide our sandstone into based on their mineral composition:

Lithic Grains – These grains are made from sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks.
Feldspar Grains – These grains are made from Plagioclase feldspar or alkali.
Quartz Grains – These grains are predominantly made from quartz minerals and have the longest capacities of the bunch.

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Is Sandstone Good For Paving?

There are plenty of different types of natural stone that are great for paving, though people often use sandstone for exterior applications.

So, why is this?

Let’s look at a few reasons why so many homeowners are using sandstone for their outdoor paving applications.

Aesthetically Pleasing

Sandstone comes in a wide range of hues and colors, allowing you to find one that fits in with your surroundings with ease. Each piece of sandstone is adorned with natural beauty. Whether you want a bit of contrast or cohesion with the surrounding area, sandstone allows for it.

You’ll find various grains and veins in different patterns and densities in the natural world.

Great In Wet Areas

Sandstone is a porous stone, meaning it’s not the best option for areas that get wet often. However, if you seal your sandstone or give it a proper chemical treatment, you can use it around a swimming pool and enjoy a beautiful, non-slip surface.

Sandstone comes with anti-skid properties thanks to its slightly rough texture, perfect for those who want a sturdier wet surface.

Easy To Maintain

If you use proper surface treatments or sealants, it is easy to clean your sandstone. To wash away dirt, dust, and mild staining, you can use something as simple as plain water or a mild washing detergent.

The beauty of sandstone compared to concrete is that it is composed of individual tiles or blocks, not a single, large entity.

So, for example, if one of the tiles or blocks gets damaged, you can rip up the damaged piece without messing up the rest of the floor. Plus, it’s often very easy to match pieces, so you don’t have to have an eye sore in your outdoor space.

Great For Stepping Stones

Because sandstone is durable, hard, and weather-resistant, it is a great choice for stepping stones in your landscape design. You can even decide to put your sandstone in highly trafficked areas without any worry.

Sustainable and Renewable

Compared to concrete, sandstone is far more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Of course, there are a few additional manufacturing costs associated with shaping, packaging, and transporting sandstone, though if you’re looking to minimize your carbon footprint while beautifying your backyard, sandstone is one of the best choices around.

Check out our sandstone vs. limestone paving guide for an in-depth comparison.

The process of installing sandstone for the construction of a patio

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Sandstone Paving In Driveways

Sandstone is great for driveways, as it is one of the most durable natural stones around. People will often use sandstone to build block pavers. Beyond the fact that sandstone looks great, it is very strong, allowing for heavy load-bearing.

Sandstone Paving In Patios

People often use sandstone paving in patios, thanks to the fact that they offer tons of flexibility during the installation process. You can makeover your patio in any way you deem fit using any kind of sandstone that works for you.

One of the great things about sandstone is that it is ultra-malleable, allowing you to make intricate designs for your patio in your garden or backyard. You can also find sandstone that works with your budget, as there are many tiers of this wonderful material out there.

Homeowners will often have their sandstone treated to make it glossy or semi-glossy. On the other hand, you might want a more natural look by maintaining the uneven and porous texture that your sandstone naturally comes with.

It’s difficult to find this type of natural look anywhere else!

Are Sandstone Patios Expensive?

Thanks to the fact that sandstone is a natural stone material, it is one of the least expensive paving options out there. On average, you will pay anywhere between $10 to $20 per square foot for your sandstone.

Check out our article, How Much Does It Cost To Pave A Driveway, for more in-depth information on the costs you can expect.

Different Types of Sandstone Paving

1. Riven Sandstone Paving

One of the best styles of sandstone paving for adding a rustic, textured feel to your space is riven sandstone paving.

With riven sandstone paving, you get individual pieces of sandstone that range in terms of thickness. It’s very important that you lay these pieces of sandstone down carefully to make them properly aligned and stable.

2. Calibrated Sandstone Paving

If you want to keep the thickness of your stones as consistent as possible, we highly recommend going with calibrated stone paving. This type of paving is very popular because it is the most uniform. Calibrated stone paving makes for a far more uniform cut. These stones are much easier to transport and lay down.

You’ll find that these types of slabs are 22mm in thickness, though the thickness can change if they are cut by hand.

3. Sawn Sandstone Paving

Sawn sandstone paving, sometimes referred to as honed sandstone paving, will go through several unique processes to give you a modern aesthetic.

These stones are cut using machines down to the nearest millimeter. The stones are then buffed, giving you the smoothest finish possible. If you’re working on a modern landscaping project, we highly recommend sawn sandstone paving.

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How Long Does Sandstone Paving Last?

One of the great things about sandstone is that it can last for many years if you take care of it, which is one of the reasons it has become so popular for outdoor applications. They don’t break very easily, allowing you to handle them effectively without worry.

All you have to do is wipe or spray them down every now and then to make sure they stay shiny and clean. Compared to other types of natural stones, sandstone is one of the most reliable stones out there.

Using Indian sandstone or rainbow sandstone and high-quality sealant, you can expect your sandstone to last anywhere from 30 to 50 years. On the other hand, if you use cheap quality materials and don’t take care of your sandstone, you can end up having to replace them in 2 to 10 years.

Do You Need To Seal Sandstone Paving?

Unless there is a good reason for sealing your sandstone paving, we would not recommend it. We often see people botch their sealant jobs, ruining the natural look of the stone. Unfortunately, restoring your stone after you have already sealed it is impossible. You need to make sure that applying sealant is something you actually want to do.

If you live in a place with inclement weather, including extreme heat, rain, or snow, sealing your sandstone paving can help protect it so that it lasts longer. It’s important to choose a sealer that suits the color of your sandstone and that you’re careful when reading your sealing directions.

If you use a high-quality sealant, you should only need to reapply it every three years or so.

A man is using pressure washers to clean a sandstone paving.

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Can You Pressure Wash Sandstone Paving?

Because sandstone paving is naturally resistant to chemicals and erosion, it is one of the best for resisting pressure washing. You don’t have to worry about pressure washing damaging your sandstone material.

However, if your stones weren’t laid correctly or are placed too close together, you might notice sudden dislodgement or movement when you spray them with high-pressure water.

The good thing is that you won’t have to pressure wash very often, as sandstone does not stain very easily. Oils and moisture in the sandstone will eventually stain if you leave them sitting there for long periods, though if you’re diligent about cleaning and wiping your sandstone down, you shouldn’t have to worry about this.

We recommend using a high-quality sealant to block out extraneous moisture.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, sandstone is one of the best options for outdoor applications, all thanks to its versatility, reliability, and ease of use. If you want to beautify your house with natural colors or create a safe, non-slip outdoor space, we highly recommend looking into using sandstone for your next project.

About the Author: Tim Dawson

Tim is a seasoned paving expert with 30+ years of experience in the industry. He has worked on countless projects, from small residential driveways to large commercial parking lots.

August 4, 2022

Tips

How to Clean Pavers – Tips for cleaning patio or driveway

If your pavers on your driveway or patio are starting to look old and worn, they might be due for a cleaning.

There are plenty of effective ways to clean pavers, which can save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars on potential replacement costs in the long run. They include pressure washing, dish soap and Simple Green.

Come dive in with us as we explore how you can clean and revitalize your pavers to get them looking brand new.

Effective Ways To Clean Pavers

The first thing you need to do is determine how you want to clean your pavers. There are many effective methods you can use to bring your pavers back to life. Let’s go through a few.

Pressure Washing

One of the most popular ways people approach cleaning their pavers is with pressure washing. You can use a pressure washer to break down any buildup or get rid of tough stains. All kinds of things can leave stains on your pavers over time, including dirt, debris, grass, and leaves.

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Dish Soap

One gentle way to approach cleaning your pavers is with dish soap. One reason you might choose to use dish soap is if you don’t want to remove decorative texture or sand. We recommend using gentle dish soap or degreaser, such as those made by Dawn.

Start by mixing your dish soap with water in a small container and use a rag to lightly scrub away any dirty stains on your pavers. If a rag isn’t doing the job, you can also use the coarse end of a sponge or a bristled brush.

White Vinegar and Water

One natural method for touching up paver stones or concrete pavers is using a mixture of white vinegar and water. When you spray your white vinegar and water mixture on your pavers, you’ll want to let it sit there for an hour or so. After an hour, you can use mild dish soap and water to scrub it clean.

Simple Green

One of the great things about Simple Green is that it does not use any harsh chemicals. This near-natural solution can get rid of stains and dirt without ruining or discoloring your stones.

Sweep

Though you only have to power wash your pavers once every year, we highly recommend sweeping them as often as you can. This is one of the best ways to regularly remove dirt from your pavers and keep them from staining.

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How To Clean Different Types of Pavers

Concrete

When it comes to concrete pavers, one of the most popular cleaners is hydrochloric acid. This heavy-duty cleaning solution is incredibly effective at removing concrete stains, especially in thick concrete driveways. This solution gets into the binder in concrete pavers and dissolves the acid on contact. While it does a fantastic job at making concrete look super clean, it can also ruin your pavers.

If you don’t need a very aggressive clean, we recommend using detergents or less-aggressive cleaning solutions.

Brick Pavers

Brick is probably the one exception when it comes to most patio pavers, as it needs to be cleaned more than once per year. It is very porous in nature, meaning it takes on stains much more easily. You may need to spend more time cleaning your brick if you want it to retain a clear and clean color.

You can use any of the solutions listed above, though try and clean every few months if possible.

This is a clean brick pavers use for making a patio.

Natural Stone

When cleaning natural stone pavers, it’s important to avoid using harsh chemicals at all costs. There’s no faster way to damage natural stone pavers than by using chemicals that are very acidic or abrasive. If you need to treat stubborn stains on your natural stone, we highly recommend going with a vinegar and water solution or a light detergent.

Further Reading – What Driveway Materials Should I Consider For My Next Project?

Things To Avoid When Cleaning Pavers

When cleaning pavers, there are certain things we often see people do that end up doing more harm than good. If you want to keep your patio or driveway pavers clean year-round, here are a few things to avoid when you want clean pavers.

Using Abrasive Cleaning Solutions

The last thing you want to do when trying to keep your pavers clean is using an abrasive cleaning solution, such as bleach. There are many kinds of pavers, such as concrete pavers, that don’t take too well to acidic cleaners. If you’re using concrete pavers, marble pavers, limestone pavers, or other pavers with large doses of calcium, avoid using highly acidic cleaners at all costs.

Using Steel Brushes or Wire

There are certain materials that don’t take too well to wire or steel brushes. When it comes to cleaning natural stone, we recommend avoiding these kinds of tools if you can. For example, if you try and treat sandstone or limestone with a steel brush or wire, you can end up damaging the top layer.

Not Paying Attention To Decorations

If you have plants, pots, water fountains, or other kinds of decor on your pavers that can leave mold or mildew residue, it’s important that you’re consistently cleaning around them to avoid getting stains on your pavers. Make sure to regularly lift up your decorations and clean underneath them.

As a side note, if you ever notice water pooling on your pavers, make sure to clean it up immediately. Pooling water can leave dark stains that can be very difficult to treat down the line.

This is a clean brick paver with a plant on top of it.

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Final Thoughts

If you want to make your pavers look brand new again, we recommend cleaning them at least once per year, following our recommendations above. To get rid of pesky stains and mold or mildew growth, one of our favorite natural solutions is mixing white vinegar and water. Not only will it leave your pavers looking fresh and new, but it’s also good for the environment.

We hope that this article was helpful! Make sure to head on over to Paving Finder blog for more expert advice!

About the Author: Tim Dawson

Tim is a seasoned paving expert with 30+ years of experience in the industry. He has worked on countless projects, from small residential driveways to large commercial parking lots.

June 23, 2022

Tips

Sandstone Vs Limestone – An In-Depth Comparison Guide

As two of the most popular stones in the world for paving, people often wonder whether they should use sandstone or limestone when paving their driveways, patios, or gardens.

While you can use both Sandstone vs Limestone to achieve similarly fantastic looks, there are many differences to consider in terms of cost, durability, and overall aesthetic.

Come dive in with us as we explore the major differences between sandstone and limestone that you should note when making your decision.

What Is Limestone?

Limestone is what we refer to as a sedimentary rock. It’s formed out of several organic debris, including algae, coral, and shells. However, it can also be formed with chemical processes, such as calcium carbonate precipitation from ocean water or lakes. Scientists develop much of the Earth’s chronology thanks to studying fossils that are deeply embedded in limestone.

You can find most limestone in very shallow oceanic regions, such as continental platforms and shelves. While most limestone is gray, it can come in different colors depending on its natural composition, including brown, yellow, or white.

What Is Sandstone?

Sandstone is another type of sedimentary rock; its composition includes rock, minerals, and other organic materials. You can find sandstone all over the world, though there are large deposits in places like Germany, South Africa, and the United States.

Sandstone typically forms in the offshore regions of river deltas, where sand is deposited and buried. Over time, beaches and desert dunes can also leave large sandstone beds. While it is less widespread, scientists also often find fossils in sandstone.

In terms of color, you can find pretty wide-ranging fluctuations, moving from brown to yellow to red to orange.

Sandstone – How It Looks

Sandstone is fairly variable when it comes to textures and colors; it is a great option for those who want to go beyond uniformity. Many people feel that the color-grading found in sandstone is superior to that of limestone. No two pieces of sandstone will look the same.

Going for a golden sandstone is excellent for both indoor and outdoor projects.

In terms of texture, sandstone is more uneven than limestone, giving you a rippled look. We love sandstone with a sawn finish, as it provides a very contemporary look, even more than limestone in many ways. On the other hand, you can get a grittier texture with a bit more slip resistance by sand-blasting your sandstone. You’ll often find this texture along poolsides.

Limestone – How It Looks

Compared to sandstone, limestone has a texture that once could describe as flat or consistent. For this reason, limestone has become one of the most popular choices for covered courtyards and driveways. With such an even finish, many people opt to use limestone for indoor applications too.

White limestone is one of the best choices if you’re going for a cleaner, more uniform look. However, while limestone offers a smooth, uniform look for the most part, you can potentially expect a slight color variation from piece to piece.

Compared to sandstone, you can expect fewer ridges with limestone. With its unique and natural characteristics, you almost get an orange peel-like texture from it, as well as a natural split surface look.

Cost Of Sandstone Vs Limestone

When it comes to the cost of paving something like a driveway, sandstone is your best bet.

If you can get locally-sourced limestone rocks, you won’t end up paying very much. However, the minute you begin paying for quarried travertine and marbles, it can become extremely costly.

This is one of the major reasons that homeowners often opt for sandstone, as the cost isn’t nearly as high. Sandstone is also cheaper than concrete and cement in most cases, especially when locally available.

Beyond that, sandstone is much easier to work with than limestone, concrete, or cement; it means you also pay less for labor costs. Overall, when it comes to the affordability of sandstone vs limestone, sandstone is a pretty clear winner.

Composition of Limestone and Sandstone

Limestone has a very chalky texture thanks to its calcite composition. Overall, the composition of limestone is pretty consistent and plain.

On the other hand, the composition of sandstone includes various rocks and minerals, such as quartz and feldspar. This sedimentary rock can vary from piece to piece, giving it a unique composition compared to limestone.

Compared to limestone, there is more variability in the composition of sandstone

Sandstone Vs Limestone Durability

When it comes to the durability of sandstone vs limestone, both of these rocks are very sturdy and can last a long time under the right conditions. Both of these stones are able to endure tough weather, which is why they have become such popular choices for outdoor paving.

For generations, people used both of these stones to build large structures that still stand strong to this day. Beyond the similarities in terms of durability, sandstone is much easier to work with than limestone, as it is much softer. However, this also makes sandstone more susceptible to being scratched or dented, especially when using it for indoor projects.

On the other hand, sandstone is also denser than limestone, which is why you’ll see it in many construction projects.

It’s worth noting that because limestone is a calcite rock, it doesn’t mix well with strong acids. If you use strong acid washes on limestone, you can stain and ruin your limestone. With sandstone, you can clean and wash it with milder acids without much worry, though like Limestone, it doesn’t react well to very strong acids.

Another thing you might want to consider with durability is water absorption. Both of these rocks are fairly water-resistant, although sandstone is a bit more porous compared to limestone. When installing these rocks, especially in indoor applications, it’s important to apply some sort of sealant to the surface so that they aren’t as impacted by water.

PRO TIP

You might consider looking at the stones when they’re wet during your purchase. Doing so will give you a better idea as to which one best fit your requirements.

When all is said and done, we’d have to give the medal to limestone on this one. When you’re working with lightly-colored sandstone, it’s not surprising to see subtle differences when it absorbs water. While it won’t likely impact your stone that much, even the potential of a slight impact puts it just behind limestone.

Sandstone Vs Limestone Slip Resistance

Because sandstone has a naturally grainy and sandy texture, it is much more slip-resistant than limestone. We recommend using sandstone in areas that receive a lot of rainfall or areas that are consistently wet, such as around swimming pools.

That’s not to say that limestone is slippery, though polished limestone in indoor spaces should be avoided when it is wet, as it can be slippery to walk across.

Sandstone Vs Limestone Versatility

Both limestone and sandstone are ultra-versatile stones, which you can cut into various shapes and sizes for your need. No matter what kind of project you have, you can get these stones to fit within the bounds, which makes it quite difficult to find a “winner” in terms of versatility.

With such a wide range of colors and finishes, you can adapt these stones to just about any project.

Sandstone vs Limestone : which one sgould I choose?

Which One Should I Choose?

With all of the information above, you should be able to determine which of these rocks better suits your project.

If you’re working on landscaping, steps, pathways, decks, patios, or other outdoor projects, locally available limestone rocks can be a great choice. If you want to add a touch of luxury to your indoor decorations, such as countertops, cladding, flooring, sculptures, or fountains, exotic limestone, travertine, and marble are excellent choices.

Just note that these will cost you a bit more than sandstone.

On the other hand, sandstone is a tried and true material that humans use since ancient times to build entire buildings. However, today, you mostly find sandstone on driveways, around swimming pools, on patios, or throughout pathways.

Conclusion

Limestone and sandstone have very similar properties. But there are clearly a few differences that can help guide your decision.

While both of these stones are very effective and eco-friendly choices, we highly recommend going with limestone for indoor projects if you have the additional money to spend, though if you’re looking for the best stone for an outdoor project that’ll give you color and variation, sandstone is an excellent choice.

Make sure to get in touch with us at Paving Finder if you need any further help in making the best decision for your residential or commercial project. We help homeowners and project managers make the best choices for their paving needs based on their budgets and requirements.

About the Author: Chris Hawk

Chris is a paver with more than 15 years' expertise in the field. He has established a reputation as an expert and trustworthy specialist with a track record of providing his clients with top-notch paving solutions.

June 3, 2022

Tips

What are Some Advances in Paving Technology?

How has paving technology advanced over the years?

State Departments of Transportation and increased commercial and consumer driving over the past 20 to 30 years have forced changes in the road building industry. Demand is shifting to eco-friendly, smoother rides and roadways that last longer. Pavement manufacturers, contractors, and engineers have turned to innovative paving technology for more efficient and economical methods to meet those demands.

FIGURE 2-1 Time course of the number of vehicle miles traveled by year from 1960 to 2000, indicating travel on rural and urban portions of the highway system. Source: FHWA 2001b.

1. How technology is changing the way paving is done.

Most highway mileage is in over 3.0 miles of rural areas. Rural roads carry only 30 percent of the nation’s highway traffic. The majority of traffic is in urban areas, resulting in more significant wear on urban roads and bridges due to congestion.

Building and maintaining roads and bridges is generally the responsibility of state and local governments.

Of the 4.1 million miles of road in the U.S., almost 97 percent are under the state and local government’s jurisdiction.

In 1984, the Transportation Research Board published a strategic study stating that America was facing an infrastructure crisis. The study pointed out the need for state transportation agencies to make significant improvements in the ways they build, maintain, and operate highways.

The Strategic Transportation Research Study (STRS report) laid the foundation for changes in pavement mix formulations and paving technology innovations that have transformed the paving industry over three to four decades.

Paving Mix and paving technology changes

In the past two decades, the paving industry has changed from being a producer of a plain-vanilla pavement product for roads to a producer of an environmentally friendly, high-tech paving medium adaptable to different climates, traffic loads, and end-use applications.

Changes in Asphalt Paving

The asphalt industry has shifted from conventional mix designs to performance-related, more durable Superpave binder mix designs, which will hold up to the traffic loading and weathering stresses of modern-day road use.

Asphalt mix changes have brought about a new generation of lab and field mix-testing equipment and new full-scale accelerated pavement testing facilities. The resulting body of data is used every day to make pavement mix design decisions and improve long-term asphalt performance.

Innovative new equipment and research, recycling of reclaimed asphalt pavement and other industrial or waste materials into pavements has spread through the asphalt paving industry, benefiting the environment and reducing costs.

Infrared and electronic paving has improved the quality and placement of asphalt mix.

New asphalt paver designs permit faster, safer, and more versatile paving.

Changes in Concrete Paving

Significant advances in concrete paving in the field of admixtures, which has permitted the development of a range of high-performance concretes.

More efficient batching techniques and equipment better use materials to produce higher quality concrete mixes and allow automatic adjustments to concrete mixtures.

Intelligent Equipment that incorporates GPS trackers and IoT sensors concrete construction allows for predictive maintenance and can improve production cycles.

2. Paving Equipment Technologies

Paving technology helps shape the paving industry’s future, from telematics, process monitoring systems, 3D paving control technology to thermal mapping and intelligent compaction which contribute to getting the work done faster, smarter, and safer.

What they are and why/how they are used

1. Thermal mapping and imaging

Thermal mapping monitors asphalt’s surface temperatures using an infra-red camera and a global navigation satellite system.

Viewing real-time temperatures, contractors can use paving technology devices to identify variations and take action to manage the plant to paver delivery process, fine-tuning their work for more uniform lay-down temperatures.

Thermal imaging uses an infrared bar mounted directly to the back of the paving machine and uses infrared sensors to monitor pavement temperature.

The sensors provide real-time information on temperature while the system saves the data for future analysis.

Monitoring lay-down temperatures in real-time gives contractors the ability to address thermal segregation issues by changing their paving practices or making necessary adjustments to the equipment.

2. Intelligent compaction

Source: https://theconstructor.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/intelligent-compaction.jpg

Intelligent Compaction refers to the compression of road materials using vibratory rollers equipped with an integrated measurement system, an onboard computer reporting system, a Global Positioning System based mapping, and optional feedback control.

This paving technology reduces cost and improves the long-term performance of the pavement.

The system can be factory-ordered or fitted later to rollers.

Intelligent compaction provides information on pass count, stiffness, and temperature.

These technologies, which include measurement, positioning, and analysis systems, define intelligent compaction systems.

Measure. Compaction Control technology enables the operator to monitor work site conditions that affect job quality and efficiency in real-time.
Document. Global Navigation Satellite System positioning technology permits operators, site supervisors, and engineers to record and visualize the work’s quality and uniformity over the entire site.
Analyze. Data collected is analyzed and used for documentation or to uncover hidden efficiencies.

3. Oscillatory vibration systems

Oscillatory Vibration Systems combine standard vibration on the front drum with oscillation on the rear drum.

Vibration and oscillation systems offer a wide range of applications from large expressway projects to smaller, yet critical, urban-type work.

The front drum utilizes vertical vibration that delivers the amplitudes and frequency options for thicker lifts and challenging mix designs.

The oscillation system on the rear drum effectively performs on thin lifts and near sensitive structures such as buildings, bridge decks, and over underground utilities like fiber-optics, electric, water, and gas lines.

4. Inset paving machines

Inset slipform pavers cost-effectively produce of large-scale concrete pavements, such as highly durable highways or aircraft runways.

Modern inset concrete pavers can precisely pave concrete in widths from 6 ft. 6 in. to 40 ft. and thicknesses of up to 18 in., or more upon customer request.

These pavers allows intuitive operation and high paving accuracy. Wirtgen created the first paver with a maximum working width of 40ft. that enables the operator to adapt to changing job site conditions quickly.

It is a narrow machine with a trackline that allows for paving close to obstacles.

5. Offset paving machines

Offset pavers are used to produce concrete roadway forms such as protective concrete walls, curbs, gullies to drain water, gutters, or narrow paths.

Offset slipform pavers transport the concrete to the offset mold via a loading conveyor.

The offset mold can be mounted on the left or right-hand side of the machine.

Offset forms are continually produced with or without reinforcements. Features include a top-quality machine control system, a practical steering and drive system, and stringline-free concrete paving.

6. Texture curing machines

Texture curing machines increase efficiency on any project where the concrete’s surface requires texturing and the application of curing compound because one device handles the texturing, curing, poly-roll, or burlap astroturf drag.

These machine frames are adjustable to handle widths from 12 ft to 56ft. A central operator station and power supply provides hydraulic control from one location.

Electric-over-hydraulic forward and reverse steering and grade control are sensored off the same stringline as the paver. This control offers ease of operation and accuracy in texturing and curing the slab.

7. Placer spreaders

Modern placer spreader’s two-track design is equipped with a belt placer that runs through the tracks delivering concrete directly to the spreading auger.

The placer spreader is equipped with one conveyor and two auger drive circuits for placing and vibrator circuits for paving.

There is a control system to unlock the versatility of both a slip-form paver and a placer/ spreader, which quickly and efficiently interfaces with stringline or 3D machine guidance system technology.

8. Slipform Pavers

Slipform construction is a method in which concrete is poured into a continuously moving form.

The concrete is deposited in front of the slipform paver or fed via a belt conveyor or side feeder.

Due to the integrated electric or hydraulic vibrators, homogenous compaction of the concrete is possible.

A concrete slab is formed with the help of input variables into a control guide by specified thickness and width while the slipform paver advances.

Additionally, a dowel bar inserter can be integrated parallel to the paver’s direction of travel.

With the help of an oscillating beam, the surface is leveled off traverse to the paver’s direction. The machine can achieve a high-quality concrete surface with the grinding movement that produces a small concrete roll in the beam’s front.

9. Stringless Concrete Paving

Concrete paving construction conventionally uses physical guidance systems, such as string lines, for the slipform pavers. However, several drawbacks of using the stringline system may mar the finished pavement surface.

A noncontact guidance system ties the paving surface to the 3D GIS.

The guidance system guides paving equipment movements during construction.

Stringless paving technology eliminates common pavement smoothness issues, such as chord effects, sag effects, and random survey effects, and paving efficiency.

Advantages of these technologies over older methods

Thermal imaging

Paving at the wrong temperature leads to low paving quality that can impact safety and road durability. Newer Thermal imaging enables paving contractors to build safer, longer-lasting roads that can adequately handle traffic loads and volume.

Intelligent compaction

Traditionally, compaction has been an inexact science. The operator sets the roller pattern early in the project and verified by in-place density measurements. The roller operator ‘s responsibility is to count passes and keep track of starts and stops, presenting risks for inconsistencies due to human error.

Intelligent compaction paving technology helps the operator to understand job site factors that affect quality and uniform compaction. Intuition and guesswork are eliminated as operators use real-time data. Compaction Control systems mounted to equipment analyze and deduce when the compaction conforms to specification, ensuring complete coverage and efficient, uniform work.

Oscillatory vibe system

Oscillation offers critical advantages for compaction over conventional methods. Conventional vibration techniques involve out-of-balance weights that achieve an up and down motion for the drum that direct forces downwards.

The transmitted vibration may cause damage to surface structures, older buildings, underground utilities or adversely affect nearby computer equipment.

Oscillation works by using exciters to move the drum back and forward, thus minimizing transmitted vibration. By using oscillation, contractors can achieve good longitudinal evenness without risking surface rippling even when the machine operates at high working speeds.

Texture curing machines

Texture curing gives contractors excellent steering accuracy in both forward and reverse directions, even at the higher speeds needed to ensure uniform curing and tining results while significantly speeding up the tining and curing process.

Placer spreaders

Modern spreader placer machines fitted with auto-guide technology control the amount of concrete poured to the slipform paver quickly and uniformly.

Slipform Pavers

Slip form minimizes defects in the pavement surface because:

Concrete settles faster than traditional forms of surfacing.
The use of manual labor is minimized, resulting in cost savings.
Surfacing Process is Faster
Can pave large surfaces

3D stringless control systems

The primary advantages of stringless paving technology are convenience, reducing bumps in the pavement, and no broken strings to delay construction.

Stringlines are eliminated, reducing cost, increasing job site maneuverability, and making the site safer for workers. 3D stringless paving machine control can decrease the total time to complete a paving project.

Asphalt is one of the most significant components of highway construction.

Paving technologies that gather data help engineers and manufacturers understand the effects of pavement mix formulation changes, causes of pavement failures, and how pavement performs under different conditions.

Manufacturer’s research with different paving material additives, recycling, and mixing plant processes result in improved paving mixes that improve pavement performance and durability and are more appropriate for road and highway application.

Equipment technology has changed paving to reduce project duration, equipment hours, fuel consumption, labor hours, and more. All that adds up to a more productive, efficient, and safe job site.

About the Author: Chris Hawk

Chris is a paver with more than 15 years' expertise in the field. He has established a reputation as an expert and trustworthy specialist with a track record of providing his clients with top-notch paving solutions.

April 27, 2021