What does sealing do for pavers?
Sealing is meant to protect pavers from the elements (i.e. rain, sun etc…) and anything foreign that were to fall on them. It creates an invisible barrier on top of the pavers that repels water, oil, and anything else you might accidentally drop on your driveway or pool deck, so long as you wash it clean as soon as you spot it. Sealing also preserves the pavers’ natural beauty for years to come. Unfortunately, sealing does not prevent ants from coming up from your lawn or weeds from sprouting up due to seeds in the air. Other products may take care of that problem for you like a good ant killer sprayed in the yard, and a sand joint stabilizer, which is a more expensive product than the regular sealer.
How long does the process take?
It’s usually a 2-day process (weather permitting of course). 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.
One or two coats are applied depending on the need. We suggest vehicles be driven over completed job 24 hours after sealing is done. Pedestrians may walk on sealed surface after just a couple of hours.
When do my pavers need re-sanding?
Fine sand is the finishing touch of any paver job. It gets into the little spaces between the pavers and secures them, preventing them from moving or shifting. After pressure cleaning, sometimes sand is blasted out of place. Re-sanding is recommended where necessary. Most people think that the sand needs to come all the way to the surface. Sand is securing the pavers together and does not need to be seen to do its job. If spaces are unusually large between the pavers, they might be shifting due to damage to your edge restraints and you might be in need of some repairs.
Will sealing my pavers make then shine?
Sealing is made to protect the pavers and also to preserve their beauty. When a sealer is applied, it darkens the original colors. Sometimes you might get the pavers to really shine, but it depends on your pavers’ colors. Darker colors tend to have a more noticeable sheen then lighter ones. Again this is a bonus that comes with sealing and not its main purpose.
How can you tell if you need to reseal your pavers?
A simple test can help you tell if you need sealing or not, but it’s not the only one. Turn on your water hose and watch water bead up on the surface. If water is not beading, you might need a fresh coat of sealer.