In short

  • The black comes from oil drops from car leaks, algae, moss, mold or dirt.
  • The normal wash almost always takes it off. Sealer on top then helps keep it from coming back.
  • Moss left for a long time can leave green marks even after a high-pressure wash. Algae or mold sitting for years make big stains.
  • In those cases, a chemical may be needed. We avoid them, and we always tell you first.

How to clean blackened pavers

We wash every paver with a pressure washer, using a turbo nozzle, not the small nozzle that ships with every pressure washer. It takes everything off, and precisely. Almost always, the black comes off with that normal wash.

Sealer on top then helps keep these stains from coming back. It goes on during a separate visit, on clean pavers. The details are on the interlock sealing page.

Where black stains come from

It isn't one thing. The black can come from oil drops leaking from a car, from algae, moss, mold or plain dirt. Tire marks aren't really a case: you notice those right away.

What to use to clean interlock pavers

In the large majority of cases, no special product is needed. Our system is the wash and the sealer, and it almost always solves the problem without a chemical.

If you want to try something at home, first read what vinegar, bleach and dish soap can really do. And if you're thinking about a pressure washer, see the article on pressure washing it yourself.

Blackened pavers to wash?

We come look at your pavers and give you a price on the spot. Free, no commitment.

Free quote Call 819 328-2129

When the wash isn't enough

Sometimes something was left a long time with no attention. Old moss can leave green marks even after a high-pressure wash. Algae and mold that sit there for years make big stains.

That's when a chemical becomes necessary.

Why we avoid chemicals

They can harm the plants and grass around, and gardens matter to our customers. If a product is needed, we tell you first, and you have to be okay with it. We always ask first.

The black stains, in the order of the job

01

We wash

Every paver is washed with a pressure washer and a turbo nozzle.

02

We look at what's left

Almost always, it's all gone. If not, we talk to you before any product.

03

We seal, later

On a separate visit, on clean pavers.

Questions we get a lot

We wash every paver with a pressure washer and a turbo nozzle. Almost always, the black comes off with that normal wash.
Most of the time, nothing special. The wash and the sealer almost always solve it without a chemical.
On a patio made of interlock, we wash every paver, and the black almost always comes off. If an old stain holds on, we tell you before using any product.
Oil drops from a car, algae, moss, mold or dirt.
We avoid them, because they can harm plants and grass. If a product is needed, we tell you first and you have to be okay with it.
Yes. They are the same concrete paver with two names. Everything written here applies to both.

For a wash, see our interlock cleaning in Gatineau page. If the joints are empty too, see interlock repair. For a written price, we can come and look at your pavers.

Émile and Beckett, Duo Vert

Who writes these

We're Émile and Beckett, the two guys behind Duo Vert. We restore interlock in Gatineau and Ottawa, with our own team and no subcontractors. What's written here is what we see on real jobs.