“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We alway recommend 2 coats of sealer for optimum performance.
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.
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.
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.
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 choice between regular and polymeric sand depends on personal preference and the type of hardscaping project. Polymeric sand is the more reliable and durable option for filling in the paver gaps.
If you apply too much sealer, even if it is of good quality, the upper layer will become continuous and, therefore, slippery when wet.