It is not recommended to do the paver sealing in the winter, as the cold weather can cause the sealer not to dry properly.
What are the ideal weather conditions for sealing? Ideal conditions would be 75 degrees and sunny; however, anywhere between 50-90 degrees is generally fine. Take note that solvent-based sealants evaporate faster, so lower temperatures are better for application.
Every project has different environmental factors to consider, but I still suggest using the 50-degree rule as a safe guideline. Choosing to seal concrete at temperatures below 50 degrees substantially increases the risk of premature sealer failure.
Never Too Late to Seal Pavers
It's always best to seal soon after a new installation. But, our proven system of repairing, cleaning and sealing will also bring back the original luster to old, dirty and fading pavers. Sealing is the final step in a comprehensive process.
Sealing Pavers Con #2: Sealing is not cheap
Quality sealers are thicker and more durable whereas inexpensive sealers are thinner and break down faster. Once the surface is sealed, you'll have to reseal the pavers, which means there is an initial expense plus an intermittent cost each time you do maintenance.
Fall or spring is a great time of the year to seal pavers. Cooler weather allows the sealer to penetrate into the pavers unhindered. Pavers will have an adequate amount of protection for when it's time to seal again. Make sure to keep leaves and other debris off the pavers while they are drying to avoid blemishes.
The Issue with Pouring Concrete in Cold Weather
When temperatures dip below 40 °F, the chemical reactions that strengthen concrete slow down and can lead to weaker concrete. If concrete curing temperatures are below freezing, the water inside the concrete can freeze and expand, resulting in cracks in your surface.
If nighttime temperatures are below freezing, the water in the concrete will freeze and expand, causing cracks. Additionally, if temperatures reach below 40 °F (but not freezing) during set time, concrete will take much longer to reach required strength.
Concrete sets more slowly when it is cold—very slow below 50 degrees Fahrenheit and below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the hydration reaction basically stops and the concrete doesn't gain strength. Anything below 40 degrees Fahrenheit will slow the curing process and may even stop it altogether.
Using a nap roller for sealer application will take several times longer than using a paver sealer sprayer and joint stabilization is difficult to achieve. Spraying is the preferred method of applying water based paver sealers as it allows enough sealer to get into the joints.
How long should I wait before sealing my new pavers? Typically 60-90 days. The main reason to wait is so that efflorescence can work its way to the surface and be cleaned off. The more the pavers get wet, the quicker this happens.
You need 48 hours of dry weather after your sealer has been applied to cure it. (Remember to turn off your automatic water sprinklers.) If the sealer is not cured correctly, water can cause white marks or stains on your pavers and can even be trapped beneath the layer of sealer.
Sealing your pavers is the most effective way of protecting them from snow, ice, and any other damaging elements throughout the year. Applying a seal coat is relatively simple. A brush is used over the surface and sides of the pavers to apply seal coating.
One of the easiest ways to maintain your pavers during winter is to simply sweep them whenever possible. Sweeping debris and snow off of your pavers protects your pavers against the freeze-thaw cycle by keeping the pavers drier. A 24” soft-bristled push broom will make quick work of the job.
After discussing the factors you need to look for and the regional location of the project, in broad terms, Spring is in fact the best time of year to seal concrete. With its moderate temperatures and humidity levels, it tends to provide ideal conditions for the application and curing of sealers.
In no case should concrete be allowed to freeze during the first 24 hours after it has been placed.
Concrete must be protected from freezing until it reaches a compressive strength of 500 psi. This usually occurs within the first 24 hours. Water expands 9% in volume when it freezes. The formation of ice crystals in the concrete will cause paste expansion that reduces the final strength of the concrete by up to 50%.
Fresh concrete can freeze at 25°F (-4°C), so it is important to warm fresh concrete until it has the proper compressive strength measurement. This can be done more efficiently using a concrete temperature and maturity meter, such as SmartRock®.
Covering the concrete is the correct course-of-action for cold and/or wet conditions: Visquene both protects the concrete from the cold by helping to keep the heat it is generating during cement hydration as well as provides curing protection by preventing the concrete surface from drying out.
The hardening, or curing, continues as long as moisture remains in the concrete. If too much water is lost from the concrete through evaporation, the hardening process slows down or ceases.
At specified curing temperatures, well-portioned concrete mixtures should attain this strength within 24 to 48 hours. Therefore, it is critical that newly placed concrete be protected from freezing for the first 24 to 48 hours or until the concrete attains a strength of approximately 500 psi.
Acrylics. Acrylic paver sealers, either solvent- or water-based, offer the most comprehensive ultraviolet (UV) resistance. Acrylic sealants can be breathable, depending on their solid content.
Paver sealant is a great tool to keep paver driveways, patios, walkways, and pool decks, in mint condition, but it's not always necessary. While it's not a must-have, pavers that aren't sealed typically grow weeds in the cracks, lose color over time, and can even have shifting caused by a lack of joint sand.