In order to keep your pavers from fading, it is important to seal them. Even the toughest of pavers don't stand a chance against the sun, with concrete even fading over time because of the UV rays.
You're wondering what happens if you don't seal pavers. Your pavers won't disintegrate if you don't seal them, but they'll likely fade much sooner than if you applied sealant. You'll also need to clean them more often, and the stains won't be as easy to remove.
“Do I need to seal my pavers?” The short answer is Yes. Paver sealant is an important maintenance tool to keep paver patios, walkways, driveways and pool decks looking as beautiful as they day they were installed.
Pavers should be resealed every 3 to 4 years on average. You will know when your pavers need to be resealed because water will stop beading on the surface and the sheen will diminish. In addition, you may notice weeds starting to grow in between joints and the pavers may start to lose their color.
How Much Does It Cost to Clean and Reseal Pavers per Square Foot? In total, you should expect to pay around $2 per square foot to clean and seal pavers. The price may vary between $1 and $3 per square foot, depending on the sealant and method of cleaning.
Enhanced aesthetic: The paver sealer enhances the curb appeal of your properties and provides perfect finish to the paved areas and at the same time stabilizes the joint sand by locking it in place. It protects the pavement against harmful UV rays and prevents fading.
Fall or spring is a great time of the year to seal pavers. Cooler weather allows the sealer to penetrate into the pavers unhindered.
Most contractors and manufacturers recommend sealing pavers for the many benefits. Both concrete and brick pavers are porous materials that can change quality and appearance when they absorb liquids.
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. It is very important not to walk or drive on sealed pavers at least 24-48 hours after application. A protective sealer enhances the natural color and beauty of your pavers.
Pavers are naturally a low-maintenance solution, but sealant them actually requires more upkeep over time.
One of the best paver sealers is the Siloxa-Tek 8500. It is a penetrating concrete sealer designed to treat a variety of applications with an emphasis on hydrophobicity and reduction of water uptake. It dries completely clear with a natural finish that will not change the look or appearance of the susbtrate.
On Using Pavers for Landscapes
Pavers are great for patios, since they allow water to seep through and not form puddles and pools.
In some applications where the joints between the pavers are rather large (1/4″ or larger) we suggest using the polymeric sand over the joint stabilizing paver sealer because the polymeric sand tends to hold up better in larger joints.
The first day, a chemical wash is done followed by pressure cleaning with a 5,000 P.S.I pressure cleaner, getting almost anything out(stubborn penetrating stains like oil and rust may not come out). The second day, given that the surface to be sealed is completely dry, a sealer is sprayed on the pavers.
The sealant will wear with time, of course, but generally, you don't need to reseal at intervals less than three to five years to keep your pavers protected, prevent weed growth, and keep the original color vibrant and deep. Be sure that the same sealant that was originally applied is used in the resealing process.
Can you power wash pavers? Power washing (also known as pressure washing) is also a very effective method by which you can remove dust deposits and various stains from your pavers. Just make sure that the water jet is not directed directly at the joints between the paving stones.
If you apply too much sealer, even if it is of good quality, the upper layer will become continuous and, therefore, slippery when wet.
Should Pavers Be Dry Before The Sealing Proccess? Yes, it is important to ensure that your pavers and your pool deck are dry before applying sealer. If they are wet, the sealer will not be able to adhere properly and could eventually peel off and cause damage to the pavers.
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.
Paver sealant is an important maintenance tool to keep paver patios, walkways, driveways, and pool decks looking as beautiful as the day they were installed. Concrete is porous and will absorb stains if not sealed. The sun and weather also can cause your paver color to fade.
While a thorough cleaning, sanding, and sealing process can significantly hinder weed growth and prevent them from taking over your paver system, it is important to understand that sealing alone cannot completely eradicate weeds.