Brick Paver Restoration: Cleaning, Joint Sand and Sealing

A lot of homeowners call asking for a driveway wash when what they actually need is a full brick paver restoration. If your pavers have wide gaps between them, weeds pushing up through the joints, or an uneven, faded look even after cleaning, the issue usually isn't dirt — it's lost joint sand and worn-off sealer. Getting the full process right, in the right order, makes a noticeable difference in how long the result lasts.

Why joint sand matters more than most homeowners realize

The polymeric or regular sand between paver joints does real structural work: it locks the pavers together, prevents lateral shifting, and blocks weed growth. Years of pressure washing, foot traffic, and rain gradually wash that sand out, which is why older paver driveways start to feel "loose" or develop wider, weed-prone gaps. Cleaning without replacing lost joint sand leaves pavers vulnerable to shifting and ant/weed intrusion almost immediately.

The restoration process, step by step

1. Deep clean: Remove built-up algae, oil stains, efflorescence, and organic growth from the paver surface and joints.
2. Weed and old sand removal: Clear out weeds, ants, and degraded sand from the joints so new sand bonds properly.
3. Re-sanding: Sweep new joint sand (often polymeric, which hardens when activated with water) into the gaps.
4. Compaction/activation: Settle the sand into the joints and activate polymeric sand per the manufacturer's process.
5. Sealing: Apply a paver sealer once the surface and joints are fully dry, locking in the sand and enhancing color.

Skipping steps — especially sealing right after cleaning without addressing the joints first — is one of the most common reasons a "sealed" driveway looks patchy or loses sand again within a year.

Typical costs for full restoration

These ranges vary with paver condition, driveway size, and how much old sand and weed growth needs to be removed before resanding — a driveway that hasn't been serviced in 5+ years will typically cost more to restore than one on a regular maintenance schedule.

How often to repeat the process

Most South Florida driveways hold up well with a cleaning every 12 to 18 months and a full re-sand/reseal every 2 to 4 years, depending on sun exposure, tree cover, and sprinkler overspray (which accelerates algae growth and sand erosion in specific zones).

Pairing with the rest of your hardscape

If your paver walkways extend to a pool deck or patio, it's worth restoring those areas at the same time for a consistent look and joint condition. See our driveway and paver cleaning and paver sealing pages for more detail, or check out pool deck and patio care if your pavers extend around the pool.

For a free, no-pressure estimate on a full paver restoration, call (561) 566-8138 or contact us and we'll take a look at your specific driveway or patio.