What Happens If I Don’t Seal My Pavers?
What Happens If I Don’t Seal My Pavers?
If you don’t seal your pavers, they will be more likely to grow weeds in the joints, and they will fade and lose their color from wear and UV breakdown. Over time, the pavers will become dull and chipped, and the joints will become loose and uneven. If you don’t seal your pavers, you’ll eventually have to replace them.
Additionally, if you don’t seal your pavers, they will eventually become stained and faded. Weather, dirt, and other elements will take their toll on the pavers, and you’ll end up with a patio or walkway that looks less than ideal.
In addition, the pavers may become cracked or chipped over time, which can create a trip hazard. By sealing the pavers, you can help to protect them from the elements and extend their lifespan.
Sealing was created to protect pavers from rain, snow, ice, and even the sun. Sealing can also protect your pavers from foreign substances that may fall on them, such as oil, leaves, or spills.
Sealing forms an invisible coating on top of your pavers that repels water, oil, and anything else you could drop by accident, as long as you wash it away as soon as you see it.
Vegetation/weeds are more prone to develop in paver joint sand if your pavers are not sealed.
A correctly built paver patio with adequate drainage can go a long way toward preventing weeds; sealing pavers with a joint stabilizing sealer will harden the sand in the joint, making weed growth extremely difficult.
Many individuals are perplexed as to where weeds in paver joints originate. It’s commonly assumed that weeds grow up through the joint from beneath the pavers, or that seeds sprout in the sand setting bed and grow up through the joint.
Both of these scenarios are incorrect and most likely impossible. Weeds in pavers are nearly always the result of surrounding weeds’ seeds being blown in and deposited into the sand joint.
If you have a lot of weeds in your yard or landscape beds, you almost certainly have weeds in your pavers. Of course, sealing your pavers with a joint stabilizing sealer will aid in weed control.
How Do I Apply A Paver Sealer?
Finally, you’ve chosen the best sealer for your needs, and it’s time to apply it to your pavers or any concrete surface. The processes are the same whether this is the first time sealing or a subsequent sealing.
Preparation Of The Surface.
Begin by performing a visual evaluation of your project. If any of the following problems are discovered, they must be resolved before putting the sealer on the pavers. Depending on the situation, it might lead to a greater problem in the future, therefore correct it immediately. Here are some things to keep an eye out for:
- Replace any damaged pavers with broken or cracked blocks.
- A lack of locking sand in block joints. Fill the joints with sufficient paver locking sand. Because the sealer is a protective top layer, the paver locking sand will serve as a protective barrier for all of your pavers’ other sides.
- Debris and dirt Using soap, water, and a sharp bristle brush, remove the blocks. Remove any growth that has grown between the blocks.
- Efflorescence Clean the blocks of any efflorescence.
- Wet surface Allow your blocks to dry fully before sealing. You don’t want moisture to build up inside.
Use Sealer.
Always follow the instructions on the can of sealer. Before you begin, make a note of the minimum temperature on the sealer label as well as the current weather conditions.
When applying sealer, use a low-pressure sprayer to saturate the pavers and cracks, then return back with a dry roller to soak up the extra sealer to reduce lines and drip marks.
If you intend to seal your patio and adjacent freestanding wall, begin at the top of the wall and work your way down.
This method, any drips or runs may be repaired by rolling the excess sealer downward toward unsealed parts and onto the patio.
Let Fully Dry Before Use.
While watching paint dry is not enjoyable, it will ensure you are satisfied with the outcome. Keep dogs and humans away from the sealed area until it is completely dry; this will help keep the sealer excellent.
Other potential hazards include falling leaves, sprinklers, and lawn cuttings. The longer you let your sealer alone to properly set, the better the results you will obtain.