Iron-Rich Well Water is Silently Destroying Your Manorville Patio Pavers – Here’s How to Stop It
For homeowners in Manorville, NY, well water is a common source of household water supply. However, what many don’t realize is that iron is a naturally occurring element in the earth’s crust, and elevated levels of iron are usually widespread in the groundwater that serves wells. This iron content, while often invisible to the naked eye, can wreak havoc on your outdoor hardscaping, particularly your beautiful patio pavers.
Understanding Iron in Manorville’s Well Water
When the level of Iron in water exceeds the 0.3ppm limit, you get red, brown, or yellow staining of laundry, glassware, dishes, and household fixtures. But the damage doesn’t stop at indoor fixtures. If you’ve noticed reddish stains on your fixtures or a metallic taste in your drinking water, you’re likely dealing with iron contamination. Iron can enter well water in various ways, including the natural breakdown of iron-bearing rocks near your home, or the corrosion of iron pipes in your plumbing system.
There are two main types of iron found in well water that can affect your pavers. Soluble Iron, aka Ferrous Iron or “Clear Water Iron”, is the most common form. You can determine if you have “Clear Water Iron” with this simple test: pour a glass of cold clear water and let it stand for a few minutes. If you find reddish-brown particles beginning to appear in the glass and eventually settling to the bottom, you have clear water Iron. The second type, insoluble Iron, aka Ferric Iron or “Red Water Iron” is poured into a glass, it immediately appears rusty or has a red or yellow color.
How Iron Water Damages Your Patio Pavers
Rust on pavers comes from metal and water combining. Rusty water can also make its way onto your patio pavers and leave rusty spots. When iron-rich water from sprinkler systems, garden hoses, or natural runoff contacts your pavers, once it is exposed to air, iron becomes oxidized, leaving a solid reddish-brown stain on laundry, plumbing fixtures, and porcelain toilet bowls. Simply put, the more exposed iron is to oxygen, the darker the color it turns.
Their surface is porous and can easily absorb stains. Even if protective measures are taken and sealants are applied to their surface, paver stains and typical dirt deposits can happen even with the best care. If steel or iron items sit on or above paver areas for a period of time, you may end up with rust stains on pavers. As rusting metal drips onto these areas, particularly over a long period of time, removing rust stains on pavers becomes very difficult.
The Hidden Threat: Iron Bacteria
Beyond simple iron staining, Manorville homeowners may also face iron bacteria in their well water. Iron bacteria are small living organisms that naturally occur in soil, shallow groundwater, and surface waters. These bacteria combine iron (or manganese) and oxygen to form deposits of “rust,” bacterial cells, and a slimy material that sticks the bacteria to well pipes, pumps, and plumbing fixtures.
One of the most noticeable signs of iron bacteria is the presence of rust-colored or yellowish stains on plumbing fixtures and appliances. These stains are caused by the iron deposits left behind by the bacteria. They can be particularly evident in toilets, sinks, and showers, where water is frequently used. When this contaminated water reaches your outdoor spaces, it can create persistent staining on your patio pavers manorville installations.
Prevention Strategies for Protecting Your Pavers
The most effective approach to preventing iron-related damage to your pavers is a multi-pronged strategy. First, consider treating your well water at the source. Installing a hydrogen peroxide system is another popular method of rust removal. Hydrogen peroxide is a selective form of bleach, and when installed, it can safely eliminate iron and iron-feeding bacteria. Even high quantities of iron (such as 20 PPM) are no match for a high-quality hydrogen peroxide system.
For immediate protection of your existing pavers, professional sealing is crucial. A good sealer helps protect the paver surface from water, dirt, oil, and stains while resisting the fading that can be caused by strong sun and UV rays. Resists oil, grease and rust stains • Locks sand between paver joints • Reduces efflorescence and freeze thaw effects. Provides long lasting protection against stains, oil and grease.
Professional Paver Sealing: Your Best Defense
The first reason that paver sealing is so important is that it can help to prevent staining and fading. By sealing your pavers, you are creating a barrier between your pavers and the outside environment, which helps keep dirt, dust, and other contaminants from seeping into the pores of the pavers and causing staining or fading. A sealer creates a protective barrier, preventing stains from penetrating and making cleanup much easier.
For Manorville residents dealing with iron-rich well water, working with a professional paver sealing company is essential. Paver Savers is a fully licensed and insured, locally owned and operated company that specializes in paver cleaning, sealing, and restoration. We’re passionate about providing our clients with the highest quality results at the fairest and most affordable prices. Our professionally trained and highly experienced technicians are ready to serve all of your hardscape cleaning, maintenance, and renovation needs.
When to Act: Don’t Wait for Damage
Clean stains and typical dirt deposits as soon as you notice them to prevent permanent marking. Regular maintenance every three months helps preserve your pavers’ appearance. As the Natural Stone Institute warns, “Deep-seated, rusty stains are extremely difficult to remove, and the stone may be permanently stained.”
If you’re already seeing rust stains on your pavers, professional treatment is available. If you have a small, light rust stain on pavers, lemon juice could be enough to lighten or remove the stain. Wait for a sunny day if possible since the sun can help amplify the effects of the lemon juice. However, for more severe staining, Removing rust stains on pavers requires a material that can damage sealers that may have been previously applied. This material may also cause some surface etching on pavers so you may want to apply the material to the entire paver area surface for uniform look. Test a small area first and consult with a paving stone contractor if needed.
Long-term Protection and Maintenance
Finally, one of the most important benefits of sealing your pavers is that it makes them easier to clean in the future – which saves you time and effort down the line! Allowing dirt and grime to build up over time can make cleaning much more difficult later on – but with regular maintenance, thanks to sealing, this should never become an issue.
Our goal at Paver Savers is to provide you with high-quality work at the most reasonable price. Each paver replacement & repair project is handled with attention to detail by the experts who never compromise on quality. Every job, no matter how big or small is treated with the same degree of dedication and expertise at our company.
Don’t let Manorville’s iron-rich well water destroy your investment in beautiful patio pavers. With proper sealing and maintenance, you can protect your outdoor spaces from rust stains while preserving their beauty and value for years to come. Contact a professional paver sealing service today to assess your current situation and develop a protection plan tailored to your specific needs.