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.
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.
Generally speaking, you should seal your pavers every 3-5 years. You will notice if and when your pavers begin to fade or show signs that they need resealing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Brick pavers absolutely, 100% need to be re-sanded prior to sealing. The sand in the brick paver joints serves MANY integral purposes. Keeps joints stable, pavers level,and fills the void between pavers to keep them from becoming loose and wobbly.
On Using Pavers for Landscapes
Pavers are great for patios, since they allow water to seep through and not form puddles and pools.
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.
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.
If you apply too much sealer, even if it is of good quality, the upper layer will become continuous and, therefore, slippery when wet.
Then, about 24 hours prior to sealant application, thoroughly cleanse pavers of any remaining residue with Techniseal's Paver Prep, a powerful efflorescence cleaner that will give you a nice clean surface on which to work. Our paver preparator also maximizes sealant penetration and adherence.
Although the Universeal range of paving sealers only take a few hours to dry, it is probably best not to walk on your paving for up to 4 hours. If the sun has been out, then at least 2 hours is recommended. It is also recommended that heavy foot traffic should be avoided for 7 hours.
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.
We alway recommend 2 coats of sealer for optimum performance.
Your concrete pavers will look better than new. 5 gal. bucket covers approximately 500 sq. ft.
Advantages of Sealed Paver Joints
Although paver sealing does not guarantee complete weed prevention, it remains the most effective way to achieve longer-lasting results in weed control. Simple maintenance tasks and occasional treatment of persistent weeds may be necessary.