REMOVING OIL STAINS FROM PAVING

by Ben Le Roux • 3 MIN • 531 Words

REMOVING OIL STAINS FROM PAVING
REMOVING OIL STAINS FROM PAVING

Motor oil stains on pavers (like concrete or brick/block paving common in sectional title complexes in Johannesburg) can be tricky because pavers are porous and the oil soaks in deeply, especially if the stain is old. Act quickly for best results—fresh stains are much easier to remove.

Step-by-Step Best Methods

Absorb Excess Oil (for fresh spills)
  • Immediately cover the spill with an absorbent material like cat litter, baking soda, sawdust, or even cheap absorbent from a hardware store.
  • Let it sit for several hours or overnight to soak up as much oil as possible. Sweep or vacuum it up before proceeding.

Basic Household Method (good starting point for lighter stains)
  • Use Dawn dishwashing liquid (or similar heavy-duty dish soap like Sunlight or Handy Andy in SA) mixed with warm water.
  • Scrub vigorously with a stiff brush.
  • Rinse with a hose or pressure washer (if available and gentle—avoid high pressure on joint sand). This often works well combined with repeated applications and can fade older stains over time.

Degreaser Method (most effective for motor oil)
  • Apply a strong degreaser or oil stain remover designed for concrete/paving. Let it dwell (soak in) for 15–30 minutes or longer (even 24 hours for tough stains), agitate/scrub, then rinse thoroughly. Repeat if needed.
  • For stubborn/old stains, follow with a poultice (mix baking soda or diatomaceous earth with the degreaser into a paste, apply thickly, cover, let dry 24+ hours, then remove). Pressure washing (hot water if possible) after helps a lot, but be cautious in a complex—check body corporate rules on water/chemical runoff.

Other Tips
  • Avoid harsh acids (like strong HCl) as they can damage pavers or joints.
  • Low-heat torch methods (evaporating oil) are mentioned online but risky—can cause cracking/explosion if moisture is present—avoid unless professional.
  • After cleaning, consider sealing the pavers (e.g., with a product like Resiblock) to prevent future stains. In a sectional title complex, get body corporate approval if using chemicals or equipment that affects common property.

Recommended Products
  • Atlas Paving Cleaner — Concentrated biodegradable degreaser/oil remover for porous surfaces like paving. Very suitable.
  • Resiblock Oil Remover (or similar Resiblock products) — Specifically for block paving oil stains; highly recommended in paving communities. Resiblock SA has a Johannesburg presence.
  • Bidchem Paving Cleaner — Available in various sizes (2.5L, 5L, 25L);
  • Everbuild Oil Away (or similar Sika products) — Good for driveways, block paving, concrete.
  • Household options: Pink Stuff (from Builders Warehouse), or strong degreasers like Pine Gel mixed with soap.
  • Enzymatic/biological types (oil-eating microbes) like some Oil Eater variants or similar on Amazon.co.za/ local suppliers for deeper cleaning without harsh chemicals.

Where to Buy
  • Builders Warehouse — Stocks Pink Stuff, degreasers, dish soaps, cat litter, baking soda, basic paving cleaners.
  • Cashbuild, Leroy Merlin, or CTM — Often carry paving sealants and cleaners.
  • Specialty suppliers — Resiblock products via their SA site/distributors (check resiblock.co.za for local stockists in Gauteng). Atlas Paints or Bidchem.

Start with absorption + degreaser scrubbing, and escalate to a specialized product if needed. If the stains are extensive or in a shared complex area, consider hiring a local pressure washing service familiar with paving in Joburg—they often have the right tools/chemicals. Good luck—it usually improves significantly!
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