Black mold and green algae
This is the most common complaint we get, especially on shaded walkways and north-facing pool decks. It's organic growth feeding on constant moisture, and rinsing alone just moves it around.
It needs a cleaning solution that kills the growth, dwell time, then a controlled rinse. If you only blast it off, it's back within weeks because the spores in the joints were never treated.
Rust from sprinklers and furniture
Orange staining in a fan pattern is almost always well water hitting the same spot every morning. Metal furniture legs and planters leave rings.
Rust needs a rust-specific remover; general degreasers and bleach won't touch it, and pressure alone will erode the paver face before the stain lifts. Adjusting the sprinkler heads matters as much as the cleaning, or it comes right back.
Oil, grease, and tire marks
Fresh oil should be absorbed first — cat litter or an absorbent powder left overnight pulls a surprising amount out before you touch it with anything wet. After that it takes a degreaser and patience.
Hot tire marks, where the sealer lifts in the shape of a tire, are a sealer issue rather than a stain. That usually means a soft or over-applied coating, and the fix is stripping and re-sealing that area properly.
Efflorescence (the white haze)
That chalky white film is mineral salt migrating out of the concrete paver as it cures and dries. It is not mold and it will not scrub off with soap.
It needs an efflorescence remover, and it should be dealt with before sealing — trapping it under a coating locks the haze in permanently.
What to avoid doing yourself
Two things cause most of the damage we're called in to fix. The first is too much pressure held too close, which etches the paver face, blows joint sand out, and leaves permanent wand stripes. The second is straight bleach, which can discolor pavers and kill surrounding landscaping.
- Don't hold a pressure washer wand close to the surface
- Don't use straight bleach near plants or on colored pavers
- Don't seal over mold, rust, or efflorescence — it locks the stain in
- Don't seal a damp surface; it needs to dry fully first
- Replace joint sand after any deep cleaning
When to call us
If the staining covers a large area, keeps returning, or you're planning to seal afterward, it's worth having it done professionally — the cleaning and the sealing are one process, and sealer only performs as well as the prep underneath it. We serve Palm Beach and Broward County with free estimates.
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