Cleaning stone pavers can be a real chore
Q: I am having a new driveway installed and would like to re-use the Belgium blocks that run down the sides of my existing driveway. Do you have any suggestions as to how to remove tar and driveway sealant from Belgium blocks? — Chris U., Huntington, N.Y.
A: Belgium (or Belgian) blocks, for those unfamiliar with the term, are natural stones used as pavers or curbing. They originally described irregularly shaped stones used as ballast in sailing ships of old; much of the stone at one time was hewn from quarries in Belgium.
When cargo ships landed in one port or another, they loaded or unloaded ballast stones as needed to properly balance the next cargo. The need for such ballast meant that there was a healthy surplus of Belgium stones in every major port. In coastal cities where native rock was scarce, the extra stones were used to pave roads. The next time you visit an old port city like New Orleans, Savannah or Boston, look down — chances are the cobblestones you’re walking on were laid down hundreds of years ago.
Today, cargo ships have no need for ballast stones, and cobblestones can be tough on automobiles, so Belgium blocks and other types of stone paving have been relegated to a decorative role. Most are hewn far from Belgium (India is a major supplier), and many are manufactured from concrete. The result is that you can find these stones in standard sizes and shapes at your home-improvement store. Reclaimed stones are also sought-after, because of the history and character they bring to a garden or driveway.
Cleaning Belgium blocks can be a real chore, especially with old gobs of tar and discolored sealant staining them. If there are not too many blocks, the safest way to clean them — without risking chemical discoloration or breaking from excess pressure — is to gently chisel away hardened tar and scrub the stone with a wire brush and a bit of water.
If elbow grease doesn’t work on a particular stain, a chemical cleaner for stone can be tried (many types line home-improvement store shelves), but test it on an inconspicuous part of the block first. If your Belgium block is actually a concrete paver in disguise, using the wrong cleaning solution can damage it irreparably.
HOME TIP: Spilled asphalt or tar should be scraped off surfaces as quickly as possible. The remainder can be softened by rubbing in petroleum jelly or lard. Carefully sponge in a paint remover and blot up the dissolving material.