# Paver cleaning woes **URL:** \ **Category:** Residential\ **Created:** [September 20, 2019, 5:24pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/paver-cleaning-woes/22060 "2019-09-20T17:24:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jcfin](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/jcfin/32/21817_2.png) [@jcfin](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/jcfin)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 5:24pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/paver-cleaning-woes/22060/1 "2019-09-20T17:24:44Z")
Hey gang, I’ve recently started doing pavers and my god are they an insane amount of work. Most of my customers have fairly large yards and they are **FILTHY**. I mean yards not cleaned _once_ in 15-20 years, absolutely covered in moss, lichen, who knows what. And of course the filth has seeped into the pavers themselves. The joints are totally filled with weeds underneath the moss. I’m in dire need of some tips and pointers. How do you deal with the mud? It feels like - no, I know I definitely spend way more time fighting the mud and trying to control it than actually cleaning. Apart from using a wand to blast the mud around I’ve also got an Unger Aquadozer, but it’s not enough. Do you use some kind of sump pump to haul the mess outside the property? What would you recommend? Another issue is, well, actually cleaning the pavers and joints. I have a 5.5gpm machine @ 2900psi with a Suttner 20’ Turbodevil and it feels like it’s not cutting it. Is the surface cleaner too large for my gpm? I’ve decided to try a twin head turbo nozzle to blast the moss off first, get rid of it and hopefully that will let the machine actually clean the joints. I’m hitting the surface with 5% SH first and it feels like that isn’t enough. Suggestions? I feel like the pretreatment should help a bit with getting the moss off. Sanding: I’m using kiln dried sand, pushing it around with a squeegee and then following up with a 35 inch broom. Any better methods? This is incredibly time consuming. Thanks for any and all help. Ed: a few pictures of a customer I just did. ![1](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/uploads/default/original/3X/5/e/5eac36e434c01e7090e25433ea8dc5a790dafb42.jpeg) ![2](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/uploads/default/original/3X/d/d/dd08c315efd8a35d7705189dc3ec5b7a97de25c1.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![DisplacedTexan](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/displacedtexan/32/29182_2.png) [@DisplacedTexan](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/DisplacedTexan)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 6:02pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/paver-cleaning-woes/22060/2 "2019-09-20T18:02:52Z")
I just hope that you’re charging accordingly. ---
**Author:** ![Firefighter4hire](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/firefighter4hire/32/21981_2.png) [@Firefighter4hire](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Firefighter4hire)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 6:06pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/paver-cleaning-woes/22060/3 "2019-09-20T18:06:10Z")
Why are you not cleaning off the moss first a weed eater and small blower will go a long way and its dry. You cant use a pressure washer for everything unless you want to be on the same job all day make a giant mess and blow mud all over everything. I use 12.5 and brown stuff apply and go be careful of the plants ---
**Author:** ![jcfin](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/jcfin/32/21817_2.png) [@jcfin](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/jcfin)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 6:14pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/paver-cleaning-woes/22060/4 "2019-09-20T18:14:32Z")
> [@DisplacedTexan](#): > > I just hope that you’re charging accordingly. I’ m not, and just cleaning the pictured yard took 11 hours to get in a decent shape although I personally wasn’t happy with everything. Customer was though. > [@Firefighter4hire](#): > > Why are you not cleaning off the moss first a weed eater and small blower will go a long way and its dry. Can you please elaborate - how would a weed eater get the moss off the top? Am I missing something here? > [@Firefighter4hire](#): > > You cant use a pressure washer for everything unless you want to be on the same job all day make a giant mess and blow mud all over everything. This is exactly what I’ve been doing, lol. > [@Firefighter4hire](#): > > I use 12.5 and brown stuff Straight 12.5? What is “brown stuff”, I’m not familiar with it. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Firefighter4hire](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/firefighter4hire/32/21981_2.png) [@Firefighter4hire](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Firefighter4hire)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 6:18pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/paver-cleaning-woes/22060/5 "2019-09-20T18:18:16Z")
Do you have a weed eater? Its pretty self explanatory. You can do it with a brush also ---
**Author:** ![DisplacedTexan](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/displacedtexan/32/29182_2.png) [@DisplacedTexan](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/DisplacedTexan)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 6:19pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/paver-cleaning-woes/22060/6 "2019-09-20T18:19:28Z")
11 hours? That would mean I’d charge my day rate and then some. You can use a weedeater and blower to remove any grass, etc. Then 12 volt a HOT mix. Let it do it’s thing and then a low pressure rinse while being very mindful of runoff because it will kill grass, etc. I wouldn’t imagine it taking longer than a couple hours. Not many pavers in my area. Thank God. ---
**Author:** ![jcfin](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/jcfin/32/21817_2.png) [@jcfin](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/jcfin)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 6:33pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/paver-cleaning-woes/22060/7 "2019-09-20T18:33:05Z")
> [@Firefighter4hire](#): > > Do you have a weed eater? Its pretty self explanatory. You can do it with a brush also OK, I’m not being combative here but I really fail to see how a weed eater would get the pictured moss out: ![3](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/uploads/default/original/3X/f/2/f22354c57ce50a0fa25167089321029bf93fb536.jpeg) > [@DisplacedTexan](#): > > 11 hours? That would mean I’d charge my day rate and then some. That was just the cleaning. Another 7 and a half hours today sanding. You don’t want to know what I charged, lol. > [@DisplacedTexan](#): > > Then 12 volt a HOT mix. Don’t have a 12v. I’ll look into getting one I guess. > [@DisplacedTexan](#): > > I wouldn’t imagine it taking longer than a couple hours. You’d do the yard in my first post in a few hours? How the hell? ---
**Author:** ![DisplacedTexan](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/displacedtexan/32/29182_2.png) [@DisplacedTexan](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/DisplacedTexan)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 6:37pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/paver-cleaning-woes/22060/8 "2019-09-20T18:37:40Z")
Wait. How are you retreating with 5% if you don’t have a 12v system? ---
**Author:** ![jcfin](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/jcfin/32/21817_2.png) [@jcfin](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/jcfin)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 6:43pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/paver-cleaning-woes/22060/9 "2019-09-20T18:43:35Z")
I’m XJetting 10% 1:1. ---
**Author:** ![Firefighter4hire](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/firefighter4hire/32/21981_2.png) [@Firefighter4hire](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Firefighter4hire)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 7:06pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/paver-cleaning-woes/22060/10 "2019-09-20T19:06:44Z")
You dont need a weed eater for that one only the moss that is growing on top. You are wasting your time with the x jet. Either build a 12v pump or apply with pump sprayer. NOT A BACKPACK SPRAYER. ---
**Author:** ![DisplacedTexan](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/displacedtexan/32/29182_2.png) [@DisplacedTexan](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/DisplacedTexan)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 7:07pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/paver-cleaning-woes/22060/11 "2019-09-20T19:07:16Z")
Ah, gotcha. If you can, get 12.5%. It works much better. Yeah, with a 12v system you could probably apply mix to that entire yard in 10-15 minutes. Obviously, that’s not a good idea but that’s how much faster a 12v would make it go. I’d probably break it up into thirds and clean one area at a time. The pictures you posted actually aren’t very bad at all. You wouldn’t even really need the weedeater. Pretreat Hot Mix Dwell Surface Clean Low Pressure Rinse Post Treat (not sure if this is a good idea for pavers, someone chime in) You doing this by yourself? ---
**Author:** ![Hotshot](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/hotshot/32/35093_2.png) [@Hotshot](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Hotshot)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 7:13pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/paver-cleaning-woes/22060/12 "2019-09-20T19:13:42Z")
Can he mix a hot batch in a poly sprayer right quick to get him done with this job,then invest in a 12v ? Just asking, curious as hell to see the other side of the washing industry that y’all do. ---
**Author:** ![Hotshot](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/hotshot/32/35093_2.png) [@Hotshot](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Hotshot)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 7:14pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/paver-cleaning-woes/22060/13 "2019-09-20T19:14:46Z")
Never mind @Firefighter4hire answered that. Didn’t see it. Carry on. ---
**Author:** ![DisplacedTexan](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/displacedtexan/32/29182_2.png) [@DisplacedTexan](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/DisplacedTexan)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 7:17pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/paver-cleaning-woes/22060/14 "2019-09-20T19:17:35Z")
Yes, he can but I was under the impression that this job was “done” although not to his satisfaction. He said the customer was happy though. Oh, about the sanding part @jcfin: I hate to burst your bubble but brooming the sand in is the only way I’ve ever heard of it being done. Maybe there’s somebody that knows more. Like I said, I don’t deal with them much at all. I’d probably have one guy throwing sand with a shovel and another brooming it around. ---
**Author:** ![Hotshot](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/hotshot/32/35093_2.png) [@Hotshot](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Hotshot)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 7:19pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/paver-cleaning-woes/22060/15 "2019-09-20T19:19:46Z")
I’ve done a polymer sand job on pavers back in the early 2000’s before. Neat stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Firefighter4hire](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/firefighter4hire/32/21981_2.png) [@Firefighter4hire](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Firefighter4hire)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 7:25pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/paver-cleaning-woes/22060/16 "2019-09-20T19:25:08Z")
I like to mix the sand with concrete dust you can charge for it plus after you broom it in and wet it mix will harden then keep the weeds from growing. You do what works for you that’s just what I do ---
**Author:** ![DisplacedTexan](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/displacedtexan/32/29182_2.png) [@DisplacedTexan](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/DisplacedTexan)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 7:31pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/paver-cleaning-woes/22060/17 "2019-09-20T19:31:07Z")
Oh, now that’s an idea. But doesn’t that limit your opportunity to service that customer again in the near future? How long does that last? ---
**Author:** ![jcfin](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/jcfin/32/21817_2.png) [@jcfin](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/jcfin)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 7:32pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/paver-cleaning-woes/22060/18 "2019-09-20T19:32:23Z")
> [@Firefighter4hire](#): > > Either build a 12v pump or apply with pump sprayer. NOT A BACKPACK SPRAYER. I do have a proper pump sprayer, but it feels like that wouldn’t have enough volume to do these kinds of yards in a reasonable amount of time. > [@DisplacedTexan](#): > > You doing this by yourself? Yep, one man show. Also, I am pretreating, letting dwell, then surface cleaning. But I have to go over areas half a dozen times to get the muck out, so I’m definitely doing something wrong since I see guys doing 1 and a half passes and getting everything clean. > [@Firefighter4hire](#): > > I like to mix the sand with concrete dust you can charge for it plus after you broom it in and wet it mix will harden then keep the weeds from growing. That’s brilliant. What ratio of sand to dust? ---
**Author:** ![Firefighter4hire](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/firefighter4hire/32/21981_2.png) [@Firefighter4hire](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Firefighter4hire)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 7:37pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/paver-cleaning-woes/22060/19 "2019-09-20T19:37:44Z")
Not really pavers get dirty one way or the other. Sure does make cleaning it the second time alot easier. Customers love when you go the extra mile plus if you do it for one the rest will follow it happens every time ---
**Author:** ![Firefighter4hire](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/firefighter4hire/32/21981_2.png) [@Firefighter4hire](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Firefighter4hire)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2019, 7:38pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/paver-cleaning-woes/22060/20 "2019-09-20T19:38:14Z")
50/50 you gotta experiment with what you can get locally [Next page](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/paver-cleaning-woes/22060.md?page=2)