Are you looking for the best paver cleaning and sealing company or the correct way to clean and seal your pavers?
If so, look no further! This guide is perfect for you. It's packed with tips that will help you get the most out of your paver cleaning and sealing experience. You'll learn everything there is to know about how to properly care for your pavers, including what products work best and which techniques are the easiest. We promise it isn't like any other guide on the market today!
Once you read through our step-by-step instructions, we guarantee that you'll feel confident in knowing exactly what needs to be done when it comes time to clean and seal pavers. You can finally say goodbye to all those frustrating days spent scrubbing away at stains only for them to come back again later down the line! This guide has everything you need in order to keep your pavers looking beautiful year-round.
Learn How to Seal Pavers: The Complete Guide: Tips and Tricks for a Paver Sealing Success
Paver sealing is a process to protect and enhance the appearance of a paver system. It also provides long lasting protection from water, oil, chemical stains, and/or other substances that may penetrate the joints and the pavers.
What is Paver Sealing and Why Do I Need It?
Paver sealing is not an easy job and it takes time to do properly. Paver sealing and restoration professionals have been doing this work for years because they know what they are doing when it comes to paving sealer application. The following 10 step guide will show you how to take care of your pavers so that you can enjoy them for many more years!
How to Choose the Right Sealant for Your Project
There are a lot of sealants out there that you can choose from. Our guide will help you learn about different sealers so that when it comes time to make your decision, you'll have all the information you need in order to pick something suitable for your project.
Different Types of Sealers and Their Benefits
A water based paver sealer is a great choice for many projects. This type of sealant offers benefits such as It's eco-friendly so it doesn't harm the environment when you apply it to your pavers. Plus, there are no harsh chemicals that could potentially damage your paver stones.
The Benefits of Paver Sealing
Paver sealing is a must if you want to keep your paver system looking great. Without proper protection, your pavers can easily be stained or damaged by all kinds of substances that are out there.
What You Need To Know About Joint Sand Lock and Water Based Sealers
If you're using a water based sealer, you may be wondering about how it will affect sand lock. Joint sand lock is achieved by using the correct sand and a water based paver sealer that penetrates the joints locking the sand in place. This will protect your investment for years to come!
Why Is Deep Color Enhancement Important?
If your paver stones are starting to fade and lose their color, then deep color enhancement is just what you need. This is a process that will allow your paver stones to look very close as when they are wet and the entire job can be done in one day!
What is Joint Stabilization and Why Do I Need It?
Joint stabilization ensures that your paver stones are properly sealed so moisture cannot penetrate them or the joints. With this process, you'll have peace of mind knowing that the joints between each stone will be protected from water damage and this can help prevent settlement, movement, rocking and inhibit weed growth and ant mines.
How to Apply a Paver Sealer with an Electric Spray System
There are many different ways that you can apply your paver sealer. Our guide will show you how this is done and we even include helpful tips that may come in handy during the application process! You'll also find out about which type of sprayer to use and why it's important.
How Do You Keep Your Pavers Clean?
You can avoid stains by keeping your pavers clean on a regular basis. This will help them maintain their color for many years down the line! The best way to do this is by using a water based paver sealer.
What is the Difference Between Water Based and Solvent Based?
One of the biggest advantages to using water based paver sealers over solvent based ones is that there are no harsh chemicals involved. If you want your paver stones protected without any harmful effects, then this type of sealer may be what you're looking for.
Why Solvent Based Paver Sealers Are Not a Good Choice
Solvent based paver sealer traps moisture and will turn white over time when it does this. There is also the risk of having discoloration after just one application which can be frustrating to deal with! If you want your pavers looking great for many years, then it's not the best choice.
How to Use an Electric Spray System to Apply Your Paver Sealer
Applying your paver sealant using an electric spray system is a great way to save time and get the job done right! You'll find out how it works, what kind of machine you need, and if there are any additional tips that may come in handy. There are many electric spray systems on the market but we recommend the SealThane spray system. It puts out the correct amount of sealer every time! Whether you are applying a flood or top coat.
Preparing Concrete and Brick Pavers for Sealing
You need to make sure that your paver stones are clean before you apply a sealer. You also want them to be free of dirt, dust, and debris so the sealer can do its job properly.
Prepare your pavers for cleaning and sealing by power washing thoroughly to remove all dirt, oil stains, and other contaminants with a flat surface cleaner making sure to clean in both directions starting from the bottom and working your way up. Use a turbo tip and wand to clean the edges especially against the grass.
High pressure cleaners and using the wrong tip and wand may harm the pavers so proceed with caution. Make sure to rinse the pavers well with water making sure no detergent or chlorine residue remains. Any residue can affect the PH balance of the concrete paver sealer and can cause issues down the road or during the paver sealing process.
After cleaning and rinsing the pavers, blow off any excess water. Use a leaf blower or air compressor making sure not to blow any dirt into the joints where you will be applying sealer later on. Do not use heaters or fans as they can damage your paver surface!
Be patient and let it dry at least overnight or for a couple of days if planning to dry sand or “broom” the sand into the joints. Otherwise, the sand can become trapped in the top of the joint and not fill the joint.
Wet Sanding the Joints with a Medium Coarse Fractured Angular Sand to Provide Joint Stabilization
You need to make sure that the joints between each paver stone are wet sanded with a medium coarse fractured angular sand.
Once the paver surface is clean, you can begin applying the sand into the joints using a wet sanding method with a medium course fractured angular which allows the sand to be carried fully into the joint. Wet sanding is a method in which a flat blade of water is used to move the sand into the joints. Water will always seek its lowest level and will carry the sand into the joint filling the joint up with sand. The sand level should come an eighth of an inch below the chamfered edge or if there is no chamfer edge an eighth below the top edge of the paver, this is important in order to achieve sand lock and provide joint stabilization.
Once the joints are filled with sand, stop and blow off any excess sand and any standing water. It is a best practice to let the pavers dry for a little while in order to remove the sand completely.
If you decide to dry sand, use a stiff broom to sweep the sand evenly into all of the joints. Make sure that you are not sweeping too hard because it can damage your paver surface! Also, make sure any excess water is blown off before applying the paver sealer. Otherwise, this can lock moisture in and cause efflorescence or white deposits in the paver joints and on top of the pavers due to the sealer pooling and collecting when there is excess moisture.
Applying a Wet Look Water Based Paver Sealer
After all standing water is removed and the surface is damp and clean, you can begin applying your sealer! It is best practice to use an electric spray system that has been designed for a wet look water based application of paver sealers such as the SealThane Spray System. Use a tip designed for gloss coatings when spraying to ensure that you get the proper amount of sealer onto each brick paver surface. It is important to remember not to over apply your sealer and to follow all manufacturer's instructions when using any sort of equipment or chemicals!
How to Apply Your Paver Sealer With an Electric Spray System Designed Specifically for Water Based Paver Sealers and Paver Sealing
Apply the paver sealer or concrete sealer with an electric spray system designed specifically for water based paver sealers and paver sealing. You can also use a pump up garden or irrigation type sprayer, however, this will take way more time which you may not have so it is best to hire a professional company that specializes in paver restoration and paver sealing. Make sure that you have the right equipment to do it correctly and efficiently.
Take your time while applying the sealer with a roller or brush on a long handle in vertical, horizontal, and diagonal directions making sure all of the pavers are covered evenly without leaving any areas uncovered but realize that rolling or using a brush will not provide joint stabilization. Spraying or letting a professional paver sealing company clean and seal your pavers will provide optimal results.
Once you are finished paver sealing, it is important to remember that they will need time to dry and cure before using them. Allow the sealer to dry for at least 24 hours or 1 day for foot traffic, 48 hours or 2 days for vehicular traffic, and 72 hours or 3 days or more for placement of furniture, doormats, or parking vehicles. This really depends on climate and weather conditions for the full cure time of paver surfaces before allowing any traffic onto the sealed area. The cooler it is, the longer it will take to cure, so give yourself some extra time if it is in the cooler months before driving or parking on a freshly sealed brick paver surface.
What is Paver Restoration?
Paver restoration is the process of cleaning and resealing pavers to restore them to their original luster. Paver sealing should be done every two years for best results, depending on your climate conditions. The paver sealer prevents dust from settling in between each stone which may cause discoloration over time.
Maintaining a Paver System and Paver System Maintenance
Maintenance of a paver system includes the process of cleaning and resealing pavers.
Cleaning your pavers is an important part of maintaining a paver system because any debris trapped in between each stone can cause discoloration over time depending on what you are exposed to such as oil, dirt, or other contaminants.
In order to maintain your paver surfaces, make sure you sweep off any leaves or debris from pavers in a timely fashion before they have the chance to decay on the surface of the sealer which will cause staining. Always follow up with a mild degreaser every few years depending on climate conditions to clean and rejuvenate the pavers.
You should clean your paver system at least once a year but it is best to do so every two years if you want the best results and for maintaining them over time. If there are any cracks in the pavers, be sure to fill them with an epoxy filler that will not crack when exposed to water or that will have any effect on the paver sealer or replace the paver itself although there will be a color difference as the new paver has not been exposed to the elements as long as the original brick pavers.
Water Based vs Solvent Paver Sealers?
There are water based and solvent based types of paver sealers to choose from. The main difference is in their application process, which can determine how well they perform over time. We recommend SealThane, a two component urethane. It has excellent durability, excellent chemical resistance and will stand up to the tests of time! With a water based paver sealer, you can apply it through a spray system designed specifically for water based paver sealers. This will allow the product to be distributed evenly and with less waste as compared to solvent based products which require more frequent reapplication due to their quick drying time.
Water Based Paver Sealers & Solvent Paver Sealers Pros & Cons
A water based paver sealer can be sprayed on and then back rolled over the surface to spread it evenly. Or a leaf blower or push broom can be used to move the sealer around for consistency. It is easier for a paver sealing company to apply than solvent based products because there is easier cleanup, they're environmentally friendly, do not have a strong chemical odor, lock in the joint sand providing joint stabilization, inhibit weed growth and ant mines, and are safe for vegetation, pets, and children.
If there is excessive moisture, the short dry time of solvent based products may cause it to pool and make white deposits within the joints and on the top of the pavers or at least discoloration which can be an eyesore! Water based pavers tend not to leave these unsightly marks like their solvent based paver sealer counterparts.
Solvent based paver sealers are more expensive than water based paver sealers but it can sometimes offer a better look for your pavers if you can afford the excessive reapplication of paying a paver sealing company and don't mind the mess or whiting that goes along with using them! They tend to be thicker in consistency which allows for an easier paver sealing application process by roller, paintbrush, or sprayer but the quick drying time of water based paver sealers without the smell will allow you to get back to your outdoor activities sooner without worrying about pooling or white residue on the pavers due to trapped excess moisture after paver cleaning and sealing!
If there is excessive moisture during application with a water based paver sealer, it can cause efflorescence which are deposits of soluble salts that appear as a white, powdery residue at the surface of the brick paver. This usually happens if you do not back roll or brush out these areas once applied with water based sealers which is why we recommend SealThane wet look water based paver sealer to avoid this issue when paver sealing!
Water Based vs Solvent Paver Sealer – The Verdict?
A water based paver sealer is the best choice for your pavers!
This is why we use SealThane, a wet look water based two component urethane concrete paver sealer that provides excellent durability and chemical resistance. It will stand up to any test of time making it a great product to protect against damaging chemicals like oil or grease stains from vehicles as well as dirt and grime.
It provides deep color enhancement which makes it ideal for reviving old pavers, especially when there is a lot of discoloration or even pitting on the surface to provide complete paver restoration.
SealThane will also provides joint sand lock and that inhibits weed growth and ant mines while providing joint stabilization to give your pavers their original, clean appearance!
Water based paver sealers are the way to go when it comes to protecting your pavers from damage due to weathering, dirt, and grime buildup. If you care about maintaining their original look for years after installation or paver restoration, a wet look water based paver sealer is definitely the choice for you but if stains, discoloration, or even pitting is an issue for you, SealThane will give your pavers a revitalized look with deeper color enhancement and superior protection from damaging elements!
Paver Cleaning and Sealing Results
Joint stabilization, sand lock, and deep color enhancement are all achieved by following these paver sealing steps which will allow the paver sealer to penetrate more deeply into the pavers resulting in a longer lasting beautiful appearance! This is the reason we only use SealThane and Inseco INC, products for paver cleaning and sealing and paver restoration.
The deep color enhancement and long lasting appearance of SealThane wet look water based paver sealer is second to none. This is why we only use SealThane and Inseco INC, products when it comes time for paver cleaning and sealing your patio, driveway, or pool deck because they are designed specifically with paver joint stabilization in mind so you never have to worry about cracks, spalls, joint sand loss, or other problems that can arise. We can help you by giving you a free consultation on what type of product will work best for your home or commercial property!
