Why You Should Seal Your Paving Stones

Why Should You Seal Pavers?

It is good to seal your paving stones to keep them looking new and functioning their best for years. Here are the benefits of sealing your pavers and some advice on the best way to seal pavers:
1. Protect pavers from fading
2. Enhance the pavers’ colors
3. Stabilizing joint sand in between pavers
4. Limits stains on pavers
5. Reduced vegetation/weed growth
6. Less ant activity
7. Reduced mold/mildew growth
8. Increased durability
There are two types of paving stone sealants: film-forming and non-filming-forming. Film-forming sealants offer ultimate protection because they create a physical barrier on the paving stone surface. However, non-film-forming sealants offer great protection and last a little longer.

When Should You Seal Pavers?

Some manufacturers say to wait one year after installation before applying a sealer. That is enough time to allow the efflorescence to escape from the paving stones. However, there are sealers that are breathable and do not require you to wait.
The ideal weather conditions for sealing your pavers is 75 degrees and sunny, but anywhere from 50-90 degrees works too. For solvent-based sealants, lower temperatures are better because they evaporate faster.

How to Seal Pavers

A few steps on the sealing process and preparations for your paving stones before sealing:
• Make sure surface is dry (rain isn’t in the forecast for at least the next 24 hours).
• Clean the paving stones surface: remove debris and stains – clear weeds.
• Apply sealer to entire surface with low-pressure sprayer.
• Use squeegee to direct material into joints & remove excess.
• Let paving stone surface dry to 2-3 hours before walking on.
• Keep off pavers for 24 hours for sealer to fully dry.

How Often To Seal Pavers

Usually, paving stone sealers should be reapplied every 3-5 years. This will maintain the quality of the materials long term. For film-forming sealants, you’ll notice when the sealant shows signs of wear. For non-film-forming sealants, you’ll notice a significant color change when it rants as the sealant wears thin.