How to Apply Paver Sealer
Do you have pavers somewhere on your property? These tessellating stones are used to create a variety of surfaces, such as driveways, sidewalks, patios, and more. When pavers are first installed, they are bright, vibrant, and add a touch of beauty to your property. However, over time, they will be slowly eroded by debris, causing them to become damaged. Because of this, you may begin to wonder how to apply paver sealer so you can protect them. In this blog, we’ll teach you more about this process so you can reap the benefits for yourself!
Allow us to introduce ourselves. We are Prime Exterior Services, a local pressure washing and paver sealing company in Orlando, FL. We look forward to teaching you more about the paver sealing process in the paragraphs below.
Why Seal Pavers?
First and foremost, let’s discuss why you should seal your pavers in the first place. Would it really be that bad if you just let them face the harsh outdoor elements on their own? While it would not be catastrophic, it wouldn’t be a great way to protect your investment, either. Over time, your pavers will collect debris. The particles of said debris will grind against the pavers and gradually sand them down, too. This won’t be particularly noticeable at first, but the longer it happens, the more obvious the damage will be—and this damage isn’t cheap to repair.
Even walking or driving on pavers can contribute to their erosion. This is because it causes friction. The long story short is that if you don’t seal your pavers, you won’t get to enjoy them as long. This alone is a great reason to learn how to apply paver sealer!
Preparing Your Pavers For Sealing
If your pavers need to be sealed, you’ll need to do a few things to prepare them for the process. Of course, you won’t be able to work on the surface if it is covered in objects. For example, your paver driveway might have cars parked on it, or your paver patio might host a collection of furniture and decorations. Please pick up these items and move them to a temporary storage location. (That way, they don’t wind up collecting droplets of liquid sealer.)
Another important part of preparing for paver sealing is pressure washing! It’s important to clean your pavers before you attempt to seal them because you don’t want to trap in layers upon layers of grime. Plus, surface debris will make it difficult to form an even layer of sealer on your pavers. You can either do your own pressure washing or schedule an appointment with a professional business such as Prime Exterior Services. Then, wait a few days for your pavers to dry before you attempt to seal them.
Required Tools For Paver Sealing
You won’t learn how to apply paver sealer correctly unless you have the right tools for the project. So, what will you need to round up before beginning your project? We’ve included a simple checklist for your reference. These are the same tools we use when sealing pavers each and every week.
- Liquid Sealer. Before it solidifies and protects your pavers, sealer begins as a liquid. It is typically sold in buckets at home improvement and hardware stores. Make sure you get enough for your pavers; you don’t want to run out halfway through your project.
- Paint Tray and Brushes. Paver sealer and paint have a lot of similarities. Because of this, it shouldn’t surprise you that you can use a paint tray and brushes to apply it to your pavers. We recommend using a roller.
- Drop Cloths or Tarps. With drop cloths or tarps, you can cover the areas next to your pavers that you don’t want to accidentally splash sealer onto. This lets you protect plants, landscaping, asphalt, etc.
Applying the Sealer
Now that you have everything you need for the work, it’s time to finally discover how to apply sealer to the pavers. First, pour a moderate amount of liquid sealer into your paint tray. Then, dip your brush in and start putting the sealer on your pavers. Do your best to make a thin, even layer of sealer. Once you have completely covered all the pavers, the work is done! It sounds simple, but in practice, this can be time-consuming and physically demanding, so keep that in mind. Like all things, it’s easier said than done.
How long does it take for liquid sealer to dry? Typically one to two days. So, don’t start moving objects back onto those surfaces right away. Be patient, and once forty-eight hours pass, you should be in the clear. Check the surface and make sure the sealer is solid. Then, you’re free to start enjoying those pavers however you like.
Is Resealing Necessary?
Paver sealing protects your pavers from damage. However, this does mean that the sealer will take damage instead. As a result, sealer deteriorates over time, and it will eventually need replacement. We estimate that paver resealing will become necessary every three to five years.
The good news is that resealing is simple. Using a sealer stripper chemical, you’ll be able to break down the original layer of sealer with ease. Then, just use our instructions for how to apply paver sealer as we outlined above. Then, your pavers will be good to go for several more years to come.
Need Professional Paver Sealing?
Does learning how to apply paver sealer make you intimidated? Would you rather spend your time doing anything else? If so, consider reaching out to us for professional paver sealing! At Prime Exterior Services, we are highly experienced in not just paver sealing but also pressure washing. So, we can make your pavers clean and protect them from the elements. We do it all for a fair price that you will appreciate, too. Contact us online to schedule an appointment, and we will be there soon to lend you a helping hand.