Porcelain is one of those stones that is the easiest to maintain and clean. The incredibly hard-wearing stone has a slip-resistant finish and is known for its fire resistance as well. They lend walkways, patio, and outdoor places a sophisticated look. Besides looking good, Porcelain Pavers also withstand wear & tear and weather extremities without losing their shape, colour, or shine.
Porcelain Pavers are becoming widely popular for outdoor use. Among other reasons, one important feature of this stone is that it can take on the appearance of everything like stone or wood. It can be made to look like a natural stone surface like Travertine, Bluestone, or Limestone.
While there are several advantages of Porcelain Pavers, one is compelled to think if they need any maintenance. Well, every stone whether natural or engineered, needs some maintenance, especially when laid outdoors. Here are a few easy ways to help you with the upkeep of Porcelain Pavers.
1. Cleaning dirt
Sand and dirt that generally come with foot traffic have an abrasive effect on the stone. Light coloured Porcelain gets dirty quicker than dark ones.
- The rule of thumb to clean Porcelain irrespective of the colour is regular brushing with a soft bristle brush or broom. Avoid coarse scrubbers or steel wool as they can damage the surface.
- An occasional wash with warm soapy water will also suffice to get rid of soil or loose dirt.
2. Removing stains
Porcelain pavers being naturally non-porous, have a low water absorption rate which makes them naturally stain resistant. However, in case they get stained, follow the simple tricks as mentioned here:
- Never use bleach or ammonia to clean stains. They have a disastrous effect on Porcelain Pavers or other stones for that matter.
- If warm soapy water does not help, use mild alkaline detergent and rinse well after washing. Please ensure no residue of the cleanser is left behind on the surface.
- For stubborn inorganic stains, you might need to use a specific acid treatment. Read the packaging instructions carefully before applying and practice great caution. Do consider the percentage of acid in it since too much acid will only damage the surface more than anticipated.
- In case of stains from organic materials like cola, oil, coffee or wine, wax or ice cream, we recommend using alkaline and neutral solutions.
- For rust marks, a solution of lemon juice or white vinegar would be sufficient. Just pour the solution over the stain and wait for at least five minutes before gently scrubbing with a soft-bristled brush. In the end, don't forget to rinse the surface with clean water.
- Avoid oil-based wax cleaners and dye-based solutions as they cause the stone to lose its original shine and colour.
3. Managing weed
- If Porcelain Pavers are regularly in use, chances of weed growth may be minimal. However, if they occur due to less usage or humidity in your area, just pull the weed out of the joints.
- If the sand gets disturbed or removed while pulling the weed, replace it immediately after cleaning.
- To keep weed growth under check, you can either cut the grass frequently or use mild herbicide meant for pavers.
4. Power washing
For general maintenance and to keep the pavers in good condition, power washing is recommended. However, make sure to hold the power lance at a narrow angle while moving it over the surface. The power lance should not be pointed directly towards the joints while spraying.
5. Seasonal maintenance
Maintenance of Porcelain pavers differs in extreme temperature and climate changes.
- If your place receives snowfall, it is advisable to remove snow from the pavers to avoid slippery surfaces. You can also use de-icing salt on the pavers without damaging the stone.
- Post winters in spring, clean the Porcelain pavers thoroughly and check for any damage or cracks. Repair the damage as soon as you find one to stop it from spreading or making it irreparable.
- Autumn or fall is the time when leaves or fruits begin falling off trees. It is advisable to keep fruits, leaves, berries away from the pavers by regular vacuuming, sweeping, or blowing. Remember, the longer they stay on the Porcelain surface, the higher are the chances of stains, especially when wet.
In conclusion
Porcelain is easy to maintain and doesn't require much care, unlike natural stones. Since it is a clay material kilned at high temperatures, it is relatively harder and more durable. This quality makes it suitable for outdoor use and never disappoints. Our Porcelain Pavers of 20mm thickness are of the highest quality that lasts a lifetime. Avoid the above mistakes and your Pavers will sustain forever. For more information on the varieties of Porcelain Pavers, browse here. For a free sample, call us on 1300 830 274 or write to us at [email protected]
*Disclaimer: All information and advice given above in the blog are to the best of our knowledge. Please reconfirm at your end before execution.
