The decision to seal or not to seal is a matter of personal preference. There are a number of proprietary block sealing products available on the market.

Most sealants contain fungicides which restrict the development of vegetation, protect the pavers against oil and other stains, and may act as a colour enhancer. It is important to get the right sealer for what is required - the top quality sealers are longer lasting whilst being more expensive.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO CLEAN THE PAVING?

The above mentioned brick cleaner, which your paving contractor should be able to recommend, can be used together with a stiff scrubbing brush within the paving cleaning process in order to keep your new paving clean. It is always advisable to test the cleaning agent on a small amount of the paving before use, to check that it will act in the anticipated way.

HOW DO I PREVENT WEEDS APPEARING IN MY NEW PAVING?

Whether or not weeds appear is a good indicator as to the quality of the paving work. Correctly laid paving should prevent the appearance of weeds in the first place. The best method for preventing weeds in your paving is to use weedkiller on the paving from time to time. You can buy weedkiller from any local garden centre. The instructions on the product will offer you preventative measures.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TACKLE OIL AND RUST STAINS?

Tackling paving stains will largely depend on the type of stain. Oil stains are some of the most common stain found on paving as paving is frequently used in driveways where motor vehicles are kept. It can be very annoying to find that your car has leaked oil onto your new paving. The best thing to do if you find yourself in this situation is to treat the oil stain as soon as possible by using an absorbent powder, such as talcum powder, on the oil stain. You may then choose to use a commercial cleaning agent or some household detergent or emulsifier and a scrubbing brush. Rust stains are also a real headache as they are difficult to get rid of and can change the colour of the paving. The best bet here is to use a household detergent and a wire brush.