Your pavers get regular exposure to harsh elements, and eventually, they show the effects. Stains, cracks, fungal growth, and pest infestations can all come with unsealed pavers—and costly treatments and repairs.
Many homeowners overlook the importance of sealing their pavers, thinking their home won’t need it. While not a hard and fast necessity, this practice helps you reliably protect your investment.
Learning The Types of Paver Sealants
The wide selection of available sealants on the market can overwhelm any buyer. Generally, we can break down sealing products used for masonry purposes into two main types:
Film-Forming Sealants
Film-forming sealants offer excellent protection by creating a physical barrier on paver surfaces. They often have a gloss or semi-gloss finish that can enhance a surface’s color and improve its appearance.
Non-Film-Forming Sealants
Non-film-forming sealants penetrate your pavers and protect it against stains and water damage. These hydrophobic products work well when you need a water-resistant method for protecting your pavers.
While they don’t improve your paver’s appearance as much, many homeowners prefer non-film-forming sealants for their abrasive qualities, along with their UV and heat protection.
How Long Does Paver Sealing Take?
Before you can apply sealant, the pavers need to be treated, washed, and dried to remove stains and surface contaminants. Since Jacksonville usually experiences warm and sunny weather, pavers can dry and be ready for sealing in a few hours. However, if you seal your pavers on cooler days, the drying process can take up to 24 hours.
When the pavers are ready, we start applying the sealant. In most cases, you can walk on the newly-sealed pavers 2-4 hours after completion. However, we don’t recommend that you drive over them until after 2-3 days have passed.
Do Pavers Need Resealing?
It’s recommended to seal your pavers every 1-2 years. Sealants can last longer if you maintain your surfaces and limit their exposure to traffic and the elements. Here are a few ways you can tell that your pavers might need resealing:
- Film-forming sealants are usually easier to assess because it forms a barrier that shows visible signs of wear.
- Non-film-forming sealants often change color when wet once the product starts thinning. However, it’s important to note that heavy rain can darken even the most well-sealed pavers, and this isn’t an indication that your sealant is faulty or needs replacing.
- You can run water through your sealed surface and see if it beads up and slides off. If you notice it absorbing into the pavers, it might be time to reseal.
How You Can Benefit from Our Services
As New Again Pressure Washing only uses high-quality materials for every job. With our expertise and years of experience, we choose the best sealant for your pavers and apply it correctly to provide advantages like:
- Weed and fungal growth prevention
- Stain protection
- Enhanced appearance
- Easier maintenance
- Waterproofing
Paver sealing works best when you leave it to the professionals. Call us at (904) 881-9743, and ask us how we can help protect your pavers from early signs of wear.
