That is the question! So you’ve had these beautiful pavers installed, but now you may be wondering if it’s worth it to go through the trouble of sealing them.
We recommend sealing, at the very least with a joint stabilizing sealer. It penetrates not only the surface of the pavers, but the sand as well, causing it to harden and bind together. This creates a much more structured and secure support for your pavers.
Longevity
Give your pavers a longer lifespan with routine paver sealing. It keeps a healthy protective coat over your investment. Natural pavers may be more rustic, but they have a raw, unfinished look that doesn’t offer any protection for your investment. Sealed pavers, on the other hand, complete the look of your driveway, patio, or pool area. Sealing pavers adds a more sophisticated and polished look to your pavers, and can improve curb appeal.
Prevent Damage
Paver sealing covers the cracks between pavers, creating a smooth surface that discourages chipping and additional cracking. Additionally, air temperatures are constantly changing, especially when it rains. And paver sealing reduces the expansion and contraction that happens in the pavers with those temperature changes. Less movement means less chance of cracking, which means your pavers last longer.
Protect Against Stains
Oil, dirt and other debris can stain pavers that are not protected by a sealant. But with your paver sealing you envelope your pavers with a top coat of protection, much like a clear coat protecting a car from oil and water stains. With a hydrophobic sealant you’ll have a smooth surface and fewer stains!
Increase Weather Resistance
Most pavers are naturally porous. This makes them susceptible to water damage and erosion, which is a big problem for Florida homeowners. Sealing adds a resistant layer to pavers that protects from the frequent Florida rain.
Improves Drainage
When pavers are unsealed, they trap and absorb water. That not only leads to water damage and erosion, it inhibits proper drainage for your driveway, patio, or pool area. On the other hand, paver sealing gives pavers a smooth surface that enables water to roll off instead of collecting and wearing away at your pavers.
Resist UV Rays
By sealing pavers, you help protect surfaces against the rays of the sun, which can reduce the natural coloring of pavers over time. Adding sealant helps maintain their coloring for longer. But paver sealing functions as a varnish – it draws out the color and contrast of new and old pavers while protecting them from fading. Whether you’re installing new pavers or giving a facelift to old ones, paver sealing helps them look more beautiful and vibrant!
Enhance Your Style
There are a variety of sealant styles available on the market, including matte and semi-gloss. You can give your pavers a ‘wet’ look so they appear more vibrant or stick with a more classic matte appearance. Generally speaking, darker paver colors will obtain a more pronounced color after you apply a glossy sealant. A glossy sealant is easier to apply to less porous stone than a highly porous stone. It’s important to consider the materials you are sealing before selecting the best sealant option.
Protects Against Weed Growth
Joint stabilizing sealants help prevent weeds from growing through the paver joints, which can compromise your pavers structurally. In addition, since it hardens the joint sand, it helps the sand in the joint resist displacement caused by wind, insects and rain.
Ready to get Started? Quick Tips for Sealing Pavers:
- It is important to reseal pavers using the same type of sealant that was applied previously. We recommend testing out the new sealant on a small strip of the paver to ensure that it looks good and blends in well before applying all over.
- If you apply sealant and decide it’s not what you want, it is possible to strip surfaces and remove the sealant; leaving pavers in their natural and unsealed state.
- Before you begin the sealing process, make sure to sweep and power wash surfaces, as well as pull weeds that are growing within paver joints.
- Application method matters – having a professional install sealant is going to yield the best results. If you utilize a roll-on applicant instead of a spray-on applicator, opt for a sponge roller.
- Give sealant at least 24 hours to set in place before walking or driving over freshly sealed surfaces.
Wait a year after installing pavers before you apply your pavers first sealant. You should reseal pavers every 3 – 5 years for water based sealants, and 2 – 3 years if you use an acrylic sealant. When resealing pavers, be sure to use the same paver sealer that was originally applied. Different sealers use different formulas, and a chemical reaction may occur if two types of sealers come into contact with each other. This generally creates a cloudy, white appearance. If you cannot remember what sealer was originally used, test the new sealer on a small area or strip the original sealer from the pavers before applying the new coat.
Ash Emrich 