How to protect paving stones from dirt and increase their frost resistance?
Paving stones are a building material with a long history and tradition. And although it can be found less and less often outside the old towns of Polish cities, it is experiencing a real renaissance on private properties. A driveway for cars can be arranged with cobblestones, and in the garden - climatic paths and squares for recreation. It is an extremely aesthetic material that can take many forms. At the same time, it is extremely hard and resistant to mechanical damage. Paving stones are almost indestructible, but you need to take care of them skillfully, protecting them against moisture, frost and dirt. How to do it? We're already translating!
Protection of paving stones against rain, low temperature and dirt
There are several professional preparations for protecting pavement available on the market. It is exceptionally effective and definitely worth recommending water repellent Sikagard®-723 Pavement . It has the form of a colorless liquid. It is a one-component aqueous solution based on silanes. It protects paving stones, but also paving slabs or other concrete substrates, and can be used outdoors and indoors, on horizontal and vertical surfaces.
Protection of paving stones against moisture
The very method of laying paving stones guarantees quite good protection of the surface against rain. Between the small cubes there are corridors thanks to which water (even during a heavy downpour) is relatively quickly and effectively drained to the ground. Therefore, puddles do not form on the cobblestones laid on a flat surface. The material itself does not absorb water too quickly, but it is worth additionally impregnating it with a preparation from the Sikagard® line.
Sikagard®-723 Pavement creates a hydrophobic layer on the paving stone surface – reduces the water absorption surface, but at the same time maintains the breathable properties of the material. This is of great importance, because thanks to the hydrophobic layer, the paving stones do not absorb water at all, and this minimizes the risk of fungi, mold or efflorescence . The cobbled surface will retain its aesthetic appearance for a long time.
Protection of paving stones against frost
Low temperature and frost take their toll on any type of surface, causing cracks, cavities or deformations. Nowadays, paving stones are produced in a process vibropressing – is one of the most modern methods of compacting concrete mixes. In this way, the tightness of the material is increased to strengthen its resistance to weather conditions. Despite this, additional protection of paving stones against frost is important. Thanks to this, the paved surface will look just as great in the spring as it did in the fall. The material will not deform or crack, so no repair work will be necessary.
Sikagard®-723 Pavement effectively increases frost resistance of paving stones . In winter, the cobblestone surface is simply cleared of snow, you can also sprinkle it with salt or sand. Water-absorbing, frost-resistant impregnation layer it also prevents the formation of salt efflorescence .
How to protect paving stones from dirt?
Sikagard®-723 Pavement's hydrophobic coating prevents contamination of paving stones. The preparation binds dust and dirt that flows with water (e.g. during rain) and do not penetrate the structure of the material . Along with greater resistance to moisture, the risk of mold and fungus, which is difficult to clean later, is also reduced.
Sikagard®-723 Pavement is too resistant to detergents , so paving stones can be washed from time to time with a chemical cleaner. It is worth using Sikagard® impregnation immediately on the newly built surface.
How to use the preparation protecting paving stones?
Sikagard®-723 Pavement is ready to use immediately after opening. The preparation should be applied in small amounts with a roller or brush , from bottom to top the protected surface. The amount of liquid should be adjusted to the type and absorbency of the substrate. Before impregnating the entire surface, it is worth carrying out a test on a single cube. Preparation cannot run on the pavement - that means there's too much of it! The consequence of applying too much impregnation may be the formation on the surface of the pavement white deposits , efflorescence. As a standard, 0.2 - 0.35 l / m 2 is enough preparation for one layer.
After the first layer of impregnation on the ankle dries, which usually takes about two hours, the second and last layer should be applied. Tools must be washed with water immediately after use.
Sikagard®-723 Pavement is best used in sunny, warm, rainless day (ambient and substrate temperature: +5°C to +20°C). If, within two hours of applying the impregnation, the paving stones are wet by rain, the whole process must be repeated from the beginning.
How to clean old paving stones from organic deposits?
Having years of splendor behind it and not previously impregnated paving stone surface may no longer look so aesthetically pleasing. Organic deposits form on unprotected cobblestones (mosses, lichens, algae, mold fungi). Before impregnating the old paving stone, it must first be thoroughly cleaned. A washcloth, detergent and water will effectively remove dust and dirt, but they will not cope with tarnish and organic efflorescence. You need to use a specialist preparation, i.e. Sikagard®-715W.
Sikagard®-715W completely removes mosses, lichens and algae from most substrates – both from cobblestones and other sensitive surfaces (concrete, brick, stone, wooden, steel). You can also use it to clean the facade of the house, wooden gazebo or terrace. Sika is diluted in water and then applied with a brush or sponge to the substrate. After a few minutes, wash the surface as usual. together any organic dirt will flow off with the water and the ankle can be impregnated so that this situation will not happen again.
What about factory-impregnated paving stones?
In the opinion of many, paving stones do not need to be additionally impregnated. If the cobblestone absorbability is less than 6%, then the material should actually be quite well protected against moisture. The pavement on the streets or squares is not regularly impregnated and works well. However, in the case of paving stones in the driveway near the garage or in the garden (i.e. in places used every day) it is worth providing the surface with additional protection and thus extend its life and aesthetic appearance.
Some paving stone manufacturers impregnate the material already at the production stage, using, for example, systems and technologies of additional paving hydrophobization. In this way, the cube is sealed inside, which effectively protects it from moisture and heavy rainfall. And here, however, it is worth applying an additional impregnating coating, thanks to which the cubes will practically not need to be cleaned .
FAQ
1. Do paving stones need to be impregnated?
It is not necessary only when the cube has been impregnated at the factory. In practice, it is worth additionally securing it to minimize the risk of moss, fungus and mold. The paving stone covered with impregnation is not damaged, it is less dirty and looks like new for longer.
2. How to impregnate paving stones?
An effective impregnator for paving stones is Sikagard®-723 Pavement. It creates a hydrophobic coating on the ankle, and at the same time increases its frost resistance. Prevents the formation of dirt and prolongs the life of the pavement.
3. When to impregnate paving stones?
The paving stones can be impregnated immediately after laying, if at least a month has passed since the production of the paving stones. If there are visible white efflorescences on the paving stone, which indicate the concrete has matured, wait until they disappear on their own.