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.
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.
Pavers and joints should be resealed every 3-5 years.
Unlike natural stone pavers, porcelain pavers are fade resistant and don't need sealing. Also, they can stand up to almost anything nature can throw at it. Natural stone pavers, of course, are Nature's decorative flooring. Travertine, slate, and quartzite can create eye-popping floors, each different from the next.
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.
After you have invested in pavers, whether that be a patio, poolside deck, etc., it is important to seal your pavers in order to protect from the weathering UV rays. These rays, which are known to impact the skin negatively, also impact the surface of your pavers negatively.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Do my brick pavers need to be stripped? In some cases, it may be necessary to strip off any existing sealer before applying a new sealant, especially if the existing sealer was applied incorrectly. This is especially true if you are switching from one type of sealer to another.
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.
It will not alter the color of the paver but will instead highlight the hue of the material and enhance the color of the pavers. Plus, the color will stay looking new because sealers provide protection against UV rays that can cause fading.
If a white haze appears on sealed pavers, it is less likely that the white spots are efflorescence but rather, water condensation collecting underneath the sealer. Removal is still possible, but a chemical solution is required. If your sealer is oil-based, the fix is to re-emulsify the sealer with Xylene.
Aim to seal your pavers when the temperature is between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit for the best results. Some pavers can also not withstand high temperatures. You will find that when you do the paver sealing during hot weather, the sealer will dry much faster.
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.
A wet cast brick paver has a more dense and smooth finished surface. Sealing these with certain types of brick sealers will make them very slippery when wet.
If your pavers have been sealed, which is a service that we offer, it's a lot easier to maintain and it does slow down mold growth for the simple fact that when your pavers are unsealed, that moisture will sit in the joints and make mold grow. Mold likes damp, dark areas.
For best results the sand should be dry to its full depth before sealing. It is always recommended to test the sealer of choice in a small area first. Always read product label and directions carefully before beginning to use any sealer products.
Your concrete pavers will look better than new. 5 gal. bucket covers approximately 500 sq. ft.
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.
After your pavers have been sealed, it's a good idea to let the sealer fully cure before walking/driving over it. If your sealer was in a driveway it's best not to drive over it for at least 48 hours. You'll know the pavers are ready for activity when the sealer is no longer sticky or tacky.