Quick Answer
Look at three things separately: the surface, the joints, and the level of the pavers. Dark film, algae, and stains are a cleaning issue. Sand sitting well below the paver edges, or weeds and ant mounds in the joints, call for joint maintenance. Pavers that have sunk, tilted, or spread apart, or that hold puddles, point to a base or edge problem that cleaning and re-sanding will not fix.
Oriole Beach sits along Santa Rosa Sound east of Gulf Breeze, and many homes there have paver driveways, patios, and pool decks. When pavers start to look rough, homeowners often ask for cleaning when the real issue is the joints or the base. Sorting that out first keeps you from paying for work that misses the problem.
If you already know you want cleaning and are wondering what happens to the sand during a wash, our article on pressure washing pavers and joint sand covers that process.
If you already know you want cleaning and are wondering what happens to the sand during a wash, our article on pressure washing pavers and joint sand covers that process.
Dirty Pavers, Joint Sand Loss, or a Repair Problem?
| What you see | Problem area | Usual next step |
|---|---|---|
| Green or black film, slippery when wet | Surface | Cleaning |
| Sand well below the paver edges, joints washing out | Joints | Refill joint sand, often after cleaning |
| Weeds, moss, or ant mounds in the joints | Joints, often with low sand | Cleaning, then joint sand |
| Single pavers rocking, cracked, or chipped | Installation | Reset or replace the pavers |
| Low spots, ruts, or puddles after rain | Base | Evaluation by a hardscape installer |
| Gaps widening along the outer edge | Edge restraint | Edge repair by a hardscape installer |
Many patios have more than one of these at once. The order matters: base and edge repairs come first, then cleaning, then joint sand and any sealing. Sealing pavers that are still settling locks in the problem.
Check After the Next Rain
The Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association’s maintenance guide recommends inspecting pavers during or just after rain, when ruts, settlement, ponding, and runoff from planted areas are easiest to see. A quick walk-through looks like this:
- Note where water stands on the pavers and where it flows onto them.
- Look at the joints. Sand should sit close to the bottom of the paver edge, not deep in the gap.
- Step on any paver that looks uneven and check for movement.
- Walk the outer edge along the lawn or beds and look for pavers drifting outward.
Near the sound, two local patterns are common. Shaded patios and pool decks stay damp and grow algae, which is a cleaning issue. Roof or yard runoff that crosses the same section of pavers in every storm can keep washing sand out of those joints, which is a drainage and joint issue.
What We Handle and What We Refer
Exterior Wash Experts provides paver cleaning, polymeric sand installation, and sealing. Resetting sunken pavers, repairing the base, or rebuilding edge restraints is work for a hardscape installer, and it should be done before cleaning and sealing so that work is not wasted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is some joint sand loss normal?
Yes. Rain, sweeping, and cleaning wear joints down over time, and refilling low joints is routine maintenance. Sand loss concentrated in one area often points to water running across that spot.
Should I seal pavers that are settling?
It is better to correct the settlement first. Sealer does not fix a base problem, and pavers usually have to be lifted to reset them.
Do weeds in the joints mean the installation failed?
Usually not. Weeds tend to grow where sand is low or debris has collected. Weeds in gaps that are widening along an edge can be a sign of edge movement, though.
Water running onto hard surfaces can also leave dirt behind. Read our guide to recurring sediment stains on Avalon Beach driveways.
Request an Estimate
If your Oriole Beach pavers need cleaning or joint sand, request an estimate online or call (850) 426-2058.
