Pavers can completely transform a space into an appealing and functional area of the home. If you are contemplating pavers for your place, it’s a good idea to do a little research first. One of the things you may come across is sealing pavers. Is it necessary? And should you do it or not? While you don’t have to seal your pavers, there are many advantages to doing so. Below are some of the benefits of sealing your pavers.
It Can Help Your Pavers To Last Longer
Pavers are hard wearing however, when you apply a suitable sealer and reapply as recommended, you can extend their longevity significantly. Sealer adds a protective layer to the paver and inhibits weed growth and in turn, can help them to last much longer than if they had no sealer at all.
Easier to Clean
Pavers are most often installed outdoors, and they will likely get dirtier than your indoor flooring. As mentioned, sealer adds a protective layer and rather than spills and contaminants seeping into the often porous material of the paver, it propels off from the surface. This means no more laborious scrubbing every time your pavers get dirty. A quick rinse off with a hose is all that is needed in most instances.
Enhance The Appearance Of Your Pavers
There are several different sealers you can purchase for your pavers. Some types give the pavers a wet look, and others bring out the textures and colours in the material. If you want to enhance the patterns and hues in your pavers, sealing them is a great way to do it.
Prevents Pollutants From Causing Damage
Pavers are generally textured to provide traction for walking on and are naturally porous, some materials more so than others. Without a sealer, it provides the perfect conditions for contaminants such as moss, spills, and stains to adhere to. Once these types of stains are set in, they can be tricky to remove. Sealer protects the paver and makes it much harder for contaminants to attach to the surface. If you do get pollutants on your pavers over time, sealer makes it much easier to shift them without having to use abrasive chemicals.
Provides A Defence Against The Elements
There’s no denying the climate here in our glorious country can be relentless at times. Many quality sealer brands contain UV protecting benefits, this can help to stop fading and deterioration of your pavers from the harsh sun. The sun is not the only element that can affect your pavers, water can cause premature wear by permeating into the surface of the paver. This can cause them to crack over time. When sealer is applied, it fills in the tiniest of gaps, nooks and crannies and adds a waterproof barrier that can prevent this from occurring.
How Regularly Should Pavers Be Sealed?
This is a common question we get asked about when it comes to sealing pavers here at Bonita Stone. The answer to the question will depend on the type of material you are using for your paving project. Softer types of pavers such as travertine generally need to be sealed more often than more dense and harder pavers such as Limestone Pavers. Thin sealers do not usually wear as well as thicker varieties, and they are prone to leaving a film behind when the sealer starts to wear. This can look unsightly. You can avoid this from happening by choosing a quality sealer in the first place.
How To Know Which Sealer To Choose
It is essential that you choose the right sealer for the job to ensure it’s safe, long-lasting and doesn’t damage your pavers. There are two different sealers available for pavers, and they are penetrating sealers and wet-look sealers. Both work equally as well, the difference is the finished look. The wet look sealer produces a glossy looking finish whereas penetrating sealers maintain the original appearance of the paver.
How Are Pavers Sealed?
- Sealing your pavers is simple, you only need a couple of items and a bit of free time. Here is how you can do it yourself:
- Check the weather forecast to ensure there is no rain predicted for the day. If it rains and your sealer has not had a chance to cure, it can be detrimental to the finish.
- Ensure your pavers are clean and free of dirt and stains before sealing them. Let your pavers dry completely.
- Remove weeds, if any.
- Open your sealer and give it a good stir, once you have done this, you can tip some of the sealer into a paint tray. Cut in the edges using a paintbrush and seal the remaining area using a roller.
- You can apply a second coat if required.
- Make sure that no one walks on the wet sealer. Give the sealer a good few hours to dry before walking on it.
Ready To Seal Your Pavers?
The benefits that sealing can offer your pavers are hard to ignore, it is a great way to ensure that your beautiful looking pavers remain in good condition and maintain their appearance for years to come. It is a smart move and one we recommend doing once they’ve been installed at your place.
If you would like more information on sealing your pavers or pavers in general, contact the professionals here at Bonita Stone.