# How to clean Portuguese paving without damaging the joints Canonical: https://www.puroterraco.pt/en/guides/clean-portuguese-paving-without-damaging-joints/ Language: en By Puro Terraço3 min readPublished on 13 October 2026 ![Street laid in Portuguese calçada, pale and dark stones forming the paving, joints visible in the foreground](https://www.puroterraco.pt/_astro/07-calcada-portugaise-lisbonne.DomMk_31_e0Hzg.jpeg) Portuguese calçada in a public space. The stone and the material filling the joints do not behave the same way during washing, and that difference decides the method. In this guide Before cleaning Portuguese paving, or calçada, assess the joints and the stability of the stones. A suitable method should remove dirt without treating the jointing material as waste. An open joint, a loose stone or a sunken area changes the decision: the paving may need repairs before washing begins. Portuguese calçada combines individual stones and joints into one surface. The useful question is therefore not just which machine will be used, but how the whole paving system will be preserved. ## Start by looking at the joints Choose a busy area, a less-used section and somewhere with concentrated dirt. Compare the visible depth of the joints and look for gaps or stones that appear displaced. Do not use pointed tools to test resistance or try to pull out material that is firmly in place. The same property may contain areas installed or repaired in different ways. Do not assume that a sandy-looking joint has the same composition as the one beside it. If you have an installation invoice or know which material was used, include that information in your cleaning enquiry. To understand the risks to the finish, also read our guide to [when pressure washing can damage stone or tiles](https://www.puroterraco.pt/en/guides/can-pressure-washing-damage-stone-tiles/). Stone, joint and level: what to look at closely The first box is a real close-up of calçada; the second is a schematic section, drawn to show what a photograph taken from above cannot reveal. 1. **Close-up of the joint**At eye level you can tell the stone from the material around it. That reading decides the method. 2. stone; filling; joint level **Schematic section**Seen from the side: the stone sits in place and the filling occupies the space between pieces. When that material drops, the stone loses its lateral support. ## What to agree before work starts Ask the quotation to distinguish three tasks: surface cleaning, treatment of localised stains and any work on the joints. The phrase “complete cleaning” does not explain whether replenishing jointing material is included. An assessment may involve: 1. Identifying fragile areas and previous repairs. 2. Removing loose debris that can be collected without damaging the surface. 3. Testing the method on a representative area. 4. Examining the dry finish and the condition of the joints. 5. Defining what can be cleaned and what requires a different type of work. The test should not be limited to the strongest stone. It also needs to include an actual joint in the paving. A test area without joints does not answer the main concern for this type of cleaning. ## Is it normal for sand to come out during washing? A small amount of loose material does not, on its own, establish from a distance whether damage has occurred. However, continuous material loss together with deeper joints or unstable stones calls for stopping and reassessing. Sweeping sand over the top is not enough to consider the matter resolved. Any replenishment must suit the existing system. Sand, mortar and specialist jointing products are not interchangeable. The choice belongs to the paving assessment and should not be improvised to conceal the effects of cleaning. ## Take care where different stones are used Colour alone does not identify a stone’s composition. Some calcareous stones are sensitive to acidic products, so a cleaner used on a neighbouring surface may be unsuitable. The Natural Stone Institute recommends identifying the material before selecting a cleaning approach. [Natural stone care guidance](https://www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/consumers/care/). If you do not know the stone, keep an unfiltered photograph, show any spare pieces and look for the supplier’s reference. Do not perform an acid test to try to identify it. ## What to photograph in Ílhavo, Aveiro or Vagos Include an overview, a close-up of the joints and a more heavily worn area. If part of the paving is used by vehicles, show it separately from the pedestrian area. These are different uses, and the total area alone does not explain the paving’s condition. The scope of [stone and Portuguese paving cleaning (page in Portuguese)](https://www.puroterraco.pt/limpeza-pedra-calcada/) should reflect the material and the conditions observed. The location helps organise access and assessment; it does not mean that all calçada in the region is the same. ## Frequently asked questions ### Does cleaning calçada include rebuilding the joints? Only if that work is expressly included. Confirm the area, material, preparation and who will carry it out. Ask the quotation to state what is excluded too. ### Will clean calçada necessarily look uniform? No. Wear, repairs, differences between stones and old stains may remain visible. Compare the result with the starting condition and agreed scope, rather than with the appearance of new paving. Unsure about the joints? [Request an assessment with photographs](https://www.puroterraco.pt/en/quote/) before deciding how intensive the washing should be. Further reading - [clean paving without damaging the joints](https://www.puroterraco.pt/en/guides/clean-portuguese-paving-without-damaging-joints/) - [pressure washing risks for stone and tiles](https://www.puroterraco.pt/en/guides/can-pressure-washing-damage-stone-tiles/) - [request a patio cleaning quote](https://www.puroterraco.pt/en/quote/) ## Tell us about your patio Send photographs, the locality and the approximate area. These details help us provide initial guidance before confirming any points that need an on-site check. [Send my photos on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/351934826260?text=Hello%20Puro%20Terra%C3%A7o%2C%20I%20would%20like%20an%20assessment%20for%20cleaning%20Portuguese%20cal%C3%A7ada%20at%20my%20property.%20I%20can%20send%20overview%20photos%2C%20close-ups%20of%20the%20joints%2C%20the%20approximate%20area%20and%20the%20locality.)[Request a quote](https://www.puroterraco.pt/en/quote/) [All guides](https://www.puroterraco.pt/en/guides/)