Frequently Asked Questions

Q.

Why do I need to clean or seal concrete pavers? Aren’t they maintenance free?

A.

While concrete, both in pavers and sidewalks/patios, is low maintenance, it is not free from the need to perform basic maintenance. Concrete is a porous material that can be damaged by the freeze/thaw conditions of the Midwest. The cracking and pitting you see in concrete is generally caused by moisture intrusion, which freezes and thaws through several cycles. By cleaning dirt, oils, moss, and other materials from concrete surfaces, you not only keep the surface attractive but you lengthen its life. Sealing clean concrete prevents moisture from getting in the pores, preventing spalling, and keeping the surface intact longer.

Q.

Why are my pavers gray rather than the colors installed?

A.

Pavers that have not been regularly cleaned and sealed will eventually lose their pigment (color), leaving the gray aggregate (stone) exposed. Even after a decade or more in the ground, a thorough cleaning and the application of a color-enhancing sealer will bring back much of the color of the bricks and extend their life.

Q.

How do I get rid of oil and grease stains on my concrete?

A.

Because concrete (both pavers and sidewalks/patios/driveways) is porous, oil and grease can get deep into the concrete, making it difficult to remove. We use pressurized hot water or steam to get into the concrete pores. If hot water doesn’t remove the stains, we use specially formulated poultices and chemicals to draw out the grime and then we flush it away with hot water.

Sealing concrete will prevent oil and grease from penetrating the surface, allowing you to keep it clean with products as simple as grease cutting dish detergent.

Q.

What can be done about my old concrete driveway, patio, or pool deck?
It's dirty and boring.

A.

APT technicians can clean the concrete and then stain or stencil it to add new zest to an old surface. Stains can be done in many semi-transparent or opaque colors; stencils can be used to make the surface appear to be brick pavers, stone, and many other finishes.

Q.

Can you remove chewing gum?

A.

Yes. We can remove gum from most pavements with no more than pressurized hot water (we have an attachment for low-pressure removal applications).

Q.

I have severe rust stains on my concrete; can you get them out?

A.

Yes. Our rust remover product is formulated to remove rust/iron stains without damaging the surface. In most cases, rust stains will disappear in one application.

Q.

After a wet-look sealer is applied to the pavement does it become slippery?

A.

No, sealers are designed to penetrate the pavement surface so there is no risk of a slippery surface.

Will your products harm flowers or plants?

Our principle source of cleaning is water from your home that is heated and pressurized – obviously it will not harm vegetation. Most of our chemical cleaners are non-toxic. We use controlled applicators to apply all of our chemical cleaners and sealers. Any cleaners will be diluted and washed away so do not pose a threat to landscaping or pets. All sealers will be kept to paved areas only so as to cause no spillage into lawns or planting beds.
Chemical strippers are not compatible with landscaping so we are careful in their application and make certain to protect plants and flowers with appropriate materials, such as aluminum foil.

Q.

What is the white substance on my bricks?

A.

If you have a white powder that completely disappears when wet, it is efflorescence. “Efflo” comes from the salts that naturally occur in the concrete. It will disappear over time or can be chemically removed very easily. Efflorescence is no cause for alarm.

If the white substance becomes a hard crust, it is probably lime run. Lime-run occurs when rainwater collects in the wall during construction, or through a design or structural defect and dissolves soluble calcium compounds. The water finds its way out through the joints and evaporates. As the water evaporates, it deposits the dissolved calcium on the wall surface. The calcium reacts with air to crystallize into hard white crusts. Lime run is a tough, stubborn stain but it can be removed chemically. Once removed, the cause of the moisture should be found and corrected (tuck pointing, caulking, etc.) and then the surface should be sealed.

Q.

There is a white halo or haze on my pavers; what causes that? My pavers’ surface has yellowed and cracked; why?

A.

In both cases, sealer was improperly applied, either because the pavers were not completely dry when sealed or because too much sealer was applied. The only cure is to chemically strip off the old sealer, thoroughly clean the pavers, and apply new sealer, according to manufacturer’s instructions.