If you’ve decided to seal your patio pavers, congratulations! This is a great decision that will help protect your investment in the future. But before you begin, there are a few important things to know about DIY Paver Sealing—and by extension, avoiding costly mistakes. Below, I’ll discuss some of the most common DIY paver sealing errors and how to avoid them.
Know the requirements of your sealer before you begin.
- DIY Paver Sealing
Before you even think about pouring that first gallon of sealer onto your pavers, make sure you know what your sealer is supposed to do and how long it should last. You may need to choose between a penetrating or non-penetrating sealer, which will determine whether it stays wet (and makes a mess) or dries quickly after application. Some types of pavers require periodic resealing more frequently than others. Keep in mind that if your paver sits in direct sunlight on hot days, it will deteriorate faster because heat can affect the chemical composition of a polymer used in sealing products; likewise, if it’s kept cool and shaded all the time—and never gets any direct sunlight—the polymer might not degrade as quickly over time. The rule here is: “the less UV radiation exposure (sunlight), the longer lasting.”
- How much do I need? Most manufacturers recommend using one gallon per 10 square feet (946 cm2). If you’re concerned about wasting product or want an extra layer of protection against staining from oil spots on driveways and sidewalks near where they meet up with pavers, use two gallons per 10 square feet instead.
Don’t apply sealer in cold or wet weather
- Sealers are designed to improve the life, color, and texture of your pavers.
- To get the most out of your sealer, you should apply it in warm weather when it’s dry (ideally 70 degrees or above).
- Sealing in cold or wet weather will make the job harder on you, as well as potentially damage your pavers. For example, if the sealer gets wet before it has had time to set up completely—which takes about 24 hours—then it could be washed off by rainwater before curing.
- If you are DIY Paver Sealing, you must know this.

Clean your pavers thoroughly before applying sealer
If you’re DIY Paver Sealing, for best results, you will want to clean your pavers thoroughly before you apply sealer. Dirty pavers tend to absorb more sealant than clean ones and may prevent them from bonding properly.
You can use a power washer or pressure washer to remove all of the dirt and grime from your pavers. If you don’t own one of these tools, simply use a garden hose with a spray nozzle attachment (or several!) to spray off any loose dirt from your patio surface. A brush is also useful for removing stubborn grime that cannot be removed by water alone.

Start with the dry run
A dry run is a test coat that helps you get the sealer applied correctly. It’s also a good way to make sure you don’t overdo it with the sealant.
If you’re DIY Paver Sealing the best way to do this is by applying the sealer in small sections, and using a paintbrush. This will help you easily identify areas where it is too much or not enough of the product on your pavers.
Apply a test coat of water-based sealer first and wait 24 hours before applying the final coat to see how it looks
As a DIY Paver Sealing, before applying a sealer, you should do a test coat first. This is to make sure the sealer will look good on your pavers. Apply a thin layer of water-based sealer to one or two patches of pavers and leave it for 24 hours. If the test coat looks good, continue with the rest of the job. However, if you don’t like how it looks after 24 hours, you can try another brand or type of wax.

Use the right tools for the job
The right tools can make your DIY paver sealing job go a lot smoother. If you’re using a roller or brush, you want to use something that will prevent streaks and provide even coverage over the pavers. A good rule of thumb is to avoid using brooms or any other kind of tool that will leave marks on your sealer.
When it comes to applying sealant, stick with either a paint roller for large areas or a paintbrush for tight spaces—a rag or towel can be used to wipe up any spills on the pavers before they dry and create more work for yourself later on!

Make sure to do your homework before you start sealing pavers!
DIY Paver Sealing, you want to make sure that you are doing everything possible to avoid mistakes before they happen. You should always do your research and know the requirements of the sealer before starting the job. For example, if you choose an oil-based sealer, it will require extra prep work to clean the pavers before applying the sealer.
It is also important that you only apply your paver sealing in dry conditions as this prevents any issues with application or curing time due to moisture in the air.
Finally, we recommend beginning with a ‘dry run’ where you test out how much material your applicator will need for each slab. This will allow for less waste during application!
Conclusion
We hope that this article has been helpful in answering some of your questions about DIY Paver Sealing. Sealers are a great way to protect your investment in these beautiful materials, but it’s important to do your homework first! We have outlined some key points here that will help ensure you get the best results possible when applying sealer or other finishes on your paver patio or driveway.
To learn more visit Apex Paver Sealing!