Very few things add so much to a landscape than a beautiful set of pavers. No matter if you’re installing them in your driveway, around the pool or patio. One of the things that makes them so popular is the countless ideas of patterns and even colors you can choose from.
We’ve already discussed painting them, which is not a good idea. Today, we will talk about staining. If you’re wondering how can pavers be stained a different color, then this article was specially made for you.
Just note that this article will be mainly focusing on staining pavers intentionally in a different color. If you somehow got here looking for an article about how to remove stains from pavers, then please leave us a comment below. I’ll discuss it quickly at the end of this article, but it might be a good idea to discuss the issue further in another post.
Can Pavers Be Stained Another Color?
The short and quick answer to your question is yes. It is very common and it became a sort of trend over time. Easy-to-use kits allow you to do it yourself with quite an ease.
How to Stain Pavers?
To stain pavers, you can use either sprayers or brushes. Using a brush can provide you a better penetration of the coloring agents, but you have to be careful not to leave brush marks, and remember to protect surrounding areas to prevent unintentional stains.
There are a number of reasons why you can feel compelled to stain your pavers in a different color. Let’s list below some of them:
- You can create unique patterns using different colors;
- Staining your pavers different colors can add that new fresh look you’re looking for your landscape;
- The end result has a more natural look than painted pavers;
- Fairly easy to do compared with other options (replacing pavers, for instance).
Overall, the end result of stained pavers is fairly superior to painted pavers. But before you go ahead and stain your pavers a different color, just think for a moment what are you looking for. If all you want is your pavers to look new again, in that case, consider just cleaning and resealing them. You’ll be surprised at how great they will look.
But, if you still want to stain your pavers, here’s a simple guide to help you do it.
- Cleaning the Pavers
First, you have to clean the pavers. Make sure they are free of any kind of dirt that might affect the final product. - Mix the Stain
Mix the stain, according to how you choose to apply it, like we previously mentioned, either sprayers or brushes. - Application
With both the pump or the brush, you want to distribute the stain as evenly as possible in a circular motion. - Re-application (If needed)
This is up to you. After letting the first coat dry, if the desired looked is not reached, you can add another coat of stain. - Sealing
Once you get the look you want, it is time to finish the job by sealing the surface.
When It’s Not recommended to Stain Pavers a Different Color
If you are planning to stain pavers to cover other stains, we highly recommend you not to. The result is likely to be different than if you’re applying the color over grey pavers. The staining you’ll be applying won’t be covering and hiding the old stains, you will probably just intensify the old stains.
Precautions to Take Before Staining Pavers
Unfortunately, fewer people take precautions before doing the process, which is bad because once pavers have been stained is impossible to undo the process.
You should never start any process around your pavers without doing a good cleaning first. Cleaning not only means removing debris, like sand and dust, that lies over your pavers, but also means removing any weeds growing in between.
We don’t usually recommend people doing the cleaning themselves. But if you’d like to do it anyway, here are some easy to remember steps:
- Remove any weeds growing in between pavers;
- Scrub lightly with a push broom to remove the debris;
- Spray down with a hose and allow it to dry;
After done with that, stain your pavers the color you want, then reapply the sealant. A quick tip though: Avoid using a power washer while cleaning the area, to minimize the chances of washing down the joint sand.
Can Pavers Be Stained Accidentally?
Unfortunately yes, and it’s quite common for it to happen. From oil stains in your driveway pavers to stains caused by chemical products or paint. Nevertheless, most of those stains can be dealt with. By the way, if your pavers have been properly sealed, the chances of unwanted stains are fairly low.
If you had your pavers accidentally stained, take a look below on what you can do about it.
How to Remove Stains from Pavers?
Now that you know the basics about staining pavers, let’s see how you can remove unwanted stains.
Even if you take measures to prevent it from happening, sadly that’s something very common. As with any porous surface, brick pavers can easily absorb stains. But is there a good way to remove unwanted stains from pavers?
Get In Touch With Contractors
First of all, get in touch with the people who installed the pavers for you. They are likely to have a few guidelines and tips on how to remove the stains. After all, they probably deal with situations like that all the time and they know their product.
Conclusion
In both case scenarios, whether you choose to stain your pavers or want to remove stains, always get help from experienced paver professionals. These people not only are more prepared to respond to your questions, and guide you if needed, but they often have services that could cover any of your needs.
If you live in Sarasota or Manatee and require any assistance for maintaining your pavers, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
FAQ
How Long does Stained Pavers Last?
In the best case, scenario, stained pavers can last between 3 and 5 years. But only if you do an absolute stellar job on them, otherwise they can fade a lot sooner.
Do I Have to Seal Concrete After Staining?
Yes. Sealing is a must when it comes to pavers and a step that cannot be overlooked. You should wait at least 24 hours after the staining process, and then you are free to seal your pavers.
Is it Better to Paint or Stain Concrete?
Painting concrete is complicated, at best. You have to spend a lot on a top-end material, and even so there’s a chance you won’t reach the desired results. That’s why most people chose to stain concrete, since it’s a more reliable option.
What Happens if Concrete is Not Sealed?
Concrete is a porous material. So, it will, absorb liquids and will be stained if not properly sealed. Also, in regions with extreme weather, the freeze-thaw cycles can destroy it, since it will expand the water that is absorbed by the concrete.
