{"id":7221,"date":"2026-07-16T12:42:21","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T16:42:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ambiancebp.com\/?p=7221"},"modified":"2026-07-16T12:44:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T16:44:41","slug":"guide-to-maintaining-paving-stones-and-slabs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ambiancebp.com\/en\/guide-to-maintaining-paving-stones-and-slabs\/","title":{"rendered":"Guide to Maintaining Paving Stones and Slabs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A few simple habits are enough to preserve their colour and appearance for years. Here are the essentials \u2014 and you can download Techo-Bloc&#8217;s complete care guide below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/techo-bloc.canto.com\/direct\/document\/9m2fg9ne1l397bble7t65rji4d\/RuRnOT3ZdmWPimYPWAvzsoBwi9s\/original?content-type=application%2Fpdf&amp;name=TB2024_Customer_Care-Maintenance_EN_V01F.pdf\">Download the care &amp; maintenance guide (PDF)<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">General maintenance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>How do I remove snow from my Techo-Bloc pavers?<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your pavers can be shovelled and scraped just like a concrete or asphalt surface. If you hire a contractor for snow removal, ask for protective (Teflon) blades to avoid scratching the surface. Common de-icing salts (sodium or calcium chloride) won&#8217;t damage Techo-Bloc products \u2014 with the exception of the Stonedge collection, where salt isn&#8217;t recommended.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Should I apply a sealant?<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sealing is optional. It enhances the colour and makes upkeep easier, a bit like waxing a car, but the durability of your products doesn&#8217;t depend on it: it&#8217;s mainly an aesthetic choice.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>A whitish residue appeared on my pavers. Is that normal?<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. This whitish haze is called efflorescence: a normal, common phenomenon on all cement-based products. It usually clears up on its own, often within a few months, sometimes over a year or two. If needed, specialized cleaners (Alliance Gator, Flexlock) speed up the process.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What should I avoid using?<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Avoid metal brushes and cleaners based on strong acids (sulfuric or muriatic acid), which can damage the surface.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Should I have my pavers cleaned by a professional?<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Several companies specialize in cleaning pavers and walls. We can refer you to one suited to your project.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cleaning basics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>How often should I clean?<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As needed, based on what you observe. In the fall, sweep leaves regularly to prevent organic staining. The rest of the year, a quick rinse with the hose is often enough to keep the surface clean.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Which products should I use?<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most stains come out with cleaners made for concrete or properly diluted household products. The right product depends on the stain \u2014 the Techo-Bloc care guide covers each case.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>How do I remove moss from the joints?<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The joints are the most vulnerable areas, especially in the first year. For moss, a mix of water and chlorine bleach (about 5 to 1), scrubbed lightly with a nylon brush and rinsed well, works nicely.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Can I use a pressure washer?<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With caution. Used incorrectly, a pressure washer can cause permanent damage to the surface and void your warranty. Check the care guide before using one.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Removing stains<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Leaf and organic debris stains<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Concrete has low porosity but can absorb pigments from leaves, petals and buds. Sweep regularly in the fall: stains left under the snow all winter are tougher to remove. The exact method varies by product \u2014 refer to the guide.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Food, drink, oil and grease stains<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Clean up quickly and rinse with warm water. Dish soap or liquid detergent removes most food and drink stains. For oil and grease, use a degreaser that&#8217;s safe for pigmented concrete.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Rust stains<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rust stains (from steel, fertilizer or iron-rich water) can be removed with a professional rust remover such as Gator Clean. After fertilizing your lawn and beds, sweep or blow off the surface: some fertilizers contain iron that can stain.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-e742d70e wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:#f5f5f5;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Need the right products or a hand?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">We stock Alliance Gator and Flexlock cleaners and sealants, and our experts can recommend the right product. For a deep clean or a new installation, we can also refer you to a qualified landscaper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-20772d9a wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/ambiancebp.com\/en\/accessories\/\">Shop cleaners &amp; sealants<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-outline is-style-outline--1\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/ambiancebp.com\/en\/find-a-landscaper\/\">Find a landscaper<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">For specific cases and exact dilutions, always refer to Techo-Bloc&#8217;s official care guide and the instructions specific to each product.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Techo-Bloc concrete products are built to last, but like any surface exposed to the weather year-round, they benefit from a little care.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7219,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[67],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7221","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-planning"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ambiancebp.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7221","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ambiancebp.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ambiancebp.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ambiancebp.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ambiancebp.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7221"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ambiancebp.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7221\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7222,"href":"https:\/\/ambiancebp.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7221\/revisions\/7222"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ambiancebp.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7219"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ambiancebp.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7221"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ambiancebp.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7221"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ambiancebp.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7221"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}