Sealing pavers is quickly becoming common practice for the modern Central Florida home. Sealants can protect your exteriors from various issues, including permanent stains, cracks, weeds, mold, and more. With that said, the paver sealing process needs the right equipment and know-how to be effective.
Choosing the Right Sealant
We can break down paver sealants into two types: water repellent sealers and acrylic sealers. Acrylic sealers are generally used for clay or concrete pavers. They have high UV protection and help maintain the original color of your pavers.
Water repellent sealers, as the name suggests, help defend against water encroachment and chemical damage. They usually have a natural finish that doesn’t affect the appearance of your pavers, though some sealants on the market can enhance the applied surface’s texture and color.
The Perfect Time to Seal Pavers
Warm, sunny weather is the best climate for sealing pavers. A 75-degree temperature is ideal, but anywhere between 50 to 90 degrees will do just fine.
Sealers also need reapplying after a couple of years. Most acrylic sealants will last from one to three years, while water repellent sealants can have lifespans of up to seven years. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations of your sealer for the best time to reseal your pavers
General Paver Sealing Tips
Before you start the sealing process, you want to prepare your pavers first. Ensure that the entire surface is clean and free of dirt, grime, natural growths, and other contaminants. Otherwise, the sealant won’t stick to the surface correctly.
Not only will this compromise the sealer’s protective capabilities, but sealing in unwanted particles can also lead to a bad look that will be hard to eliminate.
After giving your pavers a thorough clean, let them dry for a few days. Applying treatment to a wet surface will prevent the sealer from adhering correctly. If you use a solvent-based sealer while your pavers are still wet, the resulting seal may develop a milky appearance as well.
If you’re new to paver sealing, it has almost the same rules as painting. Never let one section dry before you finish. In other words, don’t stop once you start. Using an application sprayer makes the job easier and gives a more even finish.
Apply the sealant until the surface is fully saturated and make sure to cover all crevices. You can use a dry roller to soak up excess sealant, thus avoiding drip marks and lines.
Seeking Professional Help
Sealing pavers is an excellent solution to protecting exterior surfaces and maintaining their appearance. It can, however, easily backfire if you don’t know what you’re doing. Getting your pavers professionally sealed or resealed is both a cost-effective and convenient choice.
Why worry about things like getting expensive equipment or which application technique to use? The Top Down Exterior Cleaning team can help you choose the right sealant for your pavers and apply it correctly, so they last much longer. Contact us today to get a free quote for your paver sealing needs in Lakeland FL.
