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.
Concrete is porous and will absorb stains if not sealed. Sealants can also protect paver color from fading.
After installation, the best time for sealing pavers is when the new pavers are dry and free of any dirt or debris. Most experts recommend waiting for at least 24 to 48 hours before sealing the new pavers after installation.
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. For this reason, the amount of time to wait may vary depending on what time of the year it is.
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.
There are three ways to darken your pavers: sealing, staining, and painting, with the first being the less invasive option. The first thing you need to do before starting any process of darkening pavers is to clean them.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 culprits of blotchy concrete after sealing
When you find yourself staring at discolored concrete that has already been sealed, there are usually three potential sources of blame: The sealer was applied poorly. Not enough sealer was applied. The concrete itself had varying absorption rates.
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.
Rain can wash the sealer off if it rains right after the application. Ideally, we recommend that there is no rain for at least 24 hours after applying the sealer. However, if necessary, it's possible to use additives that can speed up the curing process. Pavers before & after cleaning and sealing.
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.
Some sealers have high solid content, which can fill up the pores on brick pavers. Brick pavers will then develop a solid layer that can become slippery under wet conditions. Inferior quality sealers have this flaw and they often have a very shiny surface.
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.
We alway recommend 2 coats of sealer for optimum performance.