“Do I need to seal my pavers?” The short answer is Yes.
Paver sealant is an important maintenance tool to keep paver patios, walkways, driveways and pool decks looking as beautiful as they day they were installed.
However, “too much of a good thing” can come into play, and you should be wary of over-applying paver sealer by reapplying too often, which could create a haze. This week’s blog offers tips for knowing when it’s time to seal and how to best achieve the desired look.
Should all concrete pavers be sealed?
Yes. Concrete is porous and will absorb stains if not sealed. Sealants can also protect paver color from fading.
Do all paver sealant brands offer the same basic protection?
There are definitely some poor paver sealing products on the market. Don’t trust the fact that you bought it at a big box store or that it’s a high-profile brand. Just because a brand is good at one product category (like paint) doesn’t mean they are the best in another. Belgard recommends Techniseal® sealants. When it comes paver sealant, Techniseal® is a pioneer in the industry has a robust R&D department, resulting in effective and durable products specifically created for paver installation and maintenance.
Is any one paver sealant finish more protective than another?
There are basically two types of paver sealants: film-forming (gloss or semi-gloss finish) and non-film-forming (matte finish). Film-forming sealants, such as Wet Look and Clear Look, offer the ultimate protection because they create a physical barrier on the paver surface. However non-film-forming sealants, Natural Look and Color Boost, still offer excellent protection and last a bit longer.
How long should new pavers cure before they are sealed for the first time?
If using a non-film-forming paver sealant, wait one week before sealing. If using a film-forming sealant, wait 30 days to avoid trapping moisture under the protective barrier.
Is there a prep process before applying paver sealant?
Even new pavers should be cleaned with Techniseal® Paver Prep prior to sealing. Not only will it clean the pavers, but it will open the pores on the surface to allow better penetration of the sealant. Older pavers will also benefit, as Paver Prep will remove any efflorescence (or whitish salt buildup) that has accumulated. Any stains should be removed prior to applying Paver Prep, using the specific stain remover for the type of stain. For more information, read last week’s blog on paver stain removal.
How long should pavers dry after being cleaned and prepped?
The answer depends on your climate. In warm, sunny climates, the pavers will be dry and ready to seal in a few hours. In cooler climates or shady areas, it’s best to wait about 24 hours.
What are the ideal weather conditions for sealing?
Ideal conditions would be 75 degrees and sunny; however, anywhere between 50-90 degrees is generally fine. Take note that solvent-based sealants evaporate faster, so lower temperatures are better for application.
How often should paver sealer be reapplied?
The basic rule of thumb is every 3-5 years. For film-forming sealants, you will be able to notice when the physical barrier is showing signs of wear. For non-film-forming sealants, you will begin to see a significant color change of pavers during a rain when the sealant is wearing thin. Keep in mind that in cases of a really heavy rain, even well-sealed pavers may darken for a couple of days until the water fully evaporates, which is not an indication of sealant failure.
PAVER SEALING APPLICATION TIPS:
- Like with painting, it’s best to keep a wet edge on a continuous area. In other words, don’t let a section dry before you finish. Once you start working, keep working.
- An application sprayer (available at any hardware store) makes it easier to work faster.
- Apply paver sealant to saturation. Get the pavers good and wet to make sure all crevices are covered. Then use a dry roller to soak up the excess to avoid lines and drip marks.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- When in doubt, hire a professional. To find qualified contractors in your area, visit the Belgard contractor locator.
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Cleaning and Paver Prep
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78 comments
How to determine what you should pay a commercial person to seal pavers?
Pricing for this service can vary from market to market. To get quotes in your market, find qualified contractors on the Techinseal contractor/dealer locator by clicking here.
I’m planning to clean and seal my pavers in the near future. Unfortunately, a few pavers appear damaged when the painting or masonry contractor was cleaning small spills with acidic solvent and stiff brush. These areas are unsightly. I’m unsure if the sealer will help. Any recommendations.
For help with your specific issue, click here to visit the Techniseal support page where you can submit photos for a more accurate response.
I have Cambridge Pavers totally lightened, they are in direct path of weather elements. I have other pavers that underneath an Overhang the color is more Vibrant I have complained to Contractor but Ann Getting no help. These pavers are only 2 years old and I had noticed the difference in color almost immediately. Can you offer advice to fix Even sealing you can still see color difference.
Techniseal offers a sealant with stain integrated into it called NuLook that you might want to look into. To find a dealer or applicator near you, click here.
Should we use water based or oil based sealer on our lani pavers. We want a matt finish.
There are pros and cons to each, and you can get a matte finish in either type. Solvent-based sealants will often darken the pavers a bit, emit odor more during application and be a little more difficult to clean application tools afterwards. However, they offer stronger UV protection and will often wear longer. Another consideration is that solvent-based sealants evaporate faster in warmer weather, so it’s better to apply when it’s not quite so hot outside. For additional assistance, click here to visit the Techniseal support page.
How often does sealer does need to be re-applied to a concrete paver driveway AND is it necessary to remove the “old” sealer before re-applying.
Sealant needs to be reapplied every 3-5 years, depending upon conditions. You can tell that it’s time when water no longer beads at all, but immediately seeps into the surface. You don’t need to remove old sealant, per se. But for best results, use Techniseal HD Paver Prep, which will dissolve efflorescence, remove ground-in dirt, and chemically prepare the pavers to accept the sealant.
Sealing concrete helps to make sure that it lasts longer and does not crack quickly or stain. Before reading this article I didn’t know that concrete was porous and absorbed things. I’ll be sure to reseal my pavers soon since I last did it about three years ago.
Are there sealants that will keep a surface cooler? We have a large paver patio around our pool and it can get pretty hot during summer months.
According to the experts at Techniseal, this is not a benefit currently provided by any sealants on the market, but they feel it’s a trend worth pursuing, so stay tuned!
Within less than 18 hours of a second application of sealer in 50 to 60 degree weather in the afternoon, the surface was still sticky and there were still areas with white patches of excess sealer the next morning when it rained enough to get everything wet again. More rain is expected over the next couple of days. Has this or will this harm the effectiveness of the application? Should another coat be applied when finally dry?
You question was forwarded to Techniseal, and we will update this reply with their answer. For a quicker response, please click here to contact them directly.
Do recommend to seal a belgard fireplace? One that was prebuilt.
If it’s a wood-burning fireplace, it might not be a bad idea to seal the face around the opening with a natural finish sealant. Also not a bad idea to seal the hearth. Those are the areas most prone to staining.
Prepped and made sure my pavers were dry and it was sunny. Most of the job looks pretty great however some spots look like I may have dripped too much and look white. Should I let it dry all the way then assess or try to remove excess while tacky?
I apologize for the belated reply. There was a technical glitch, and I did not receive a notification of your question. Were you able to resolve your issue? If not, please email service@techniseal.com.
I like how you mentioned that pavers should have a certain amount of time pass before making sure that the sealant has been cured since there is a process when it comes to applying paver sealant to masonry brick tiles. Another thing I noticed is that you should be careful when it comes to buying sealing products off the market just in case you might come across a counterfeit one. While I haven’t the slightest when it comes to looking for paver sealing, at least I can guarantee that there aren’t going to be any fake products on the market since I know what brand names to watch out for in the future.
Di you seal the pavers before or after the joints are poly sanded
Sand the joints and then seal. If using a non-film-forming paver sealant, wait one week before sealing. If using a film-forming sealant, wait 30 days to avoid trapping moisture under the protective barrier.
I just had 3717 sq ft of Belgard Holland Stone 4 x 8 pavers done. 2300 sq ft of driveway and walkways and 1400 sq ft of patio. Border is charcoal and interior 45 degree herringbone of gray and granite. House is 700 ft. from ocean in Vero Beach FL ( and no I am not rich or even close.)
Pavers were installed 2 weeks ago and I want to get the very best protection with longest lasting coat.
Driveway sees sunlight most of the day. Patio 1/2 the day. Just built home so I can’t afford $6000 to seal pavers. If I missed a necessary point let me know. I used to seal my pavers at my former inland house in gloss with shark grip mixed in.
The specific recommended product would vary depending upon what aesthetic you’re looking for (natural look, matte finish, satin finish, color boost, wet look). There’s also an anti-slip grit available called “SureFoot” that’s available for either solvent-based and water-based products. For more specifics on each, contact service@techniseal.com.
Thank you, I am looking for the longest lasting, most protective.
With that goal in mind, you would do best with Wet Look solvent-based sealant.
There is no techniseal dealer in 32963. yet Belgard pavers sold there. Any ideas?
Try reaching out to service@techniseal.com. They should be able to recommend an applicator in your area.
I was looking for a place to buy the product and could not find a dealer or store selling it near me. I was not looking for an applicator to spray it on.
I had to go with Ure Seal out of Lakeland FL. Will let you know how it goes.
I had a contractor come in and do a sidewalk for me laying down Lafitt Granada slab.4 days after he layed it it is all changing color and is all lifting. Also does this have to be sealed the contactor said no.
Belgard always recommends sealing to protect pavers from damage caused by UV rays, stains and debris. If the pavers are changing colors and lifting, contact your contractor for a followup visit. By changing color, do you mean there appears to be a whitish film on the surface of the pavers? If so, that’s a natural process called efflorescence that happens in certain climates. The salts in the pavers can migrate to the surface. If so, you will want to remove the efflorescence before sealing by using a cleaner like Techniseal Paver Prep. In the odd case that the color issue is due to a defect in the product itself, Belgard offers a lifetime limited warranty. Your contractor should warranty the workmanship for at least a year from installation if you used a Belgard Authorized Contractor.
Thanks for helping me understand that any stain must be removed first before applying the seal coat to ensure the effectivity of it. With that in mind, it would be better to hire professionals to do this for us since I am not that confident with my skills. We just need the driveway to be fixed before the cracks widen and have a more costly repair needed.
I’m glad you mentioned that you need to clean the paver before you seal it. I’m sure that’s true for any surface. If you have a lot of dirt trapped under the sealant, it can make it easy to scrape off. At the very least you’ll have a bunch of dirty looking spots permanently on your floor.
I just had Bluestone nicely laid in an outdiir 5 x 9 foot porch, protected with an overhang, yet still exposed to weather, some moisture. Should Bluestone be sealed and if so, what product is best.
Pardon the delayed response. Our expertise is in concrete and porcelain pavers, so I’m reaching out to the experts at Techniseal to get their input and will pass the information on to you.
It is much beautiful when you put some seal coat on the floor. I also wanted this, just having my research to pick the best. Thank for the resource!
My pavers, around pool, patio and walkway , are constantly bringing out sand and dirt. Gets worse if I sweep, hose or use blower. Always dirty. I can’t power wash pavers. What is my best solution for this problem ?
Is the dirt erosion from the joints or another kind of dirt?
I had Cambridge Pavers installed in a large area of my pool, patio, paths. A few years later Cambridge had their recommended people seal between the pavers to stop sand and dirt from coming up. This did not work. I tried again, still no good. I don’t think they sealed the surface of the pavers; just the spaces in between. Before I spend any more money, please tell me the proper method to clean and seal my pavers and stop sand and dirt from leaking out
Did they joint with polymeric sand or a different type of sand? Polymeric sand includes a polymer binder. It sweeps into the joints like regular sand and then is activated with water to harden. Once the polymeric sand cures (about 30 days), pavers and joints should be sealed with a quality sealant to protect the pavers from stains and the joints from erosion and insect infiltration. If they did not use polymeric sand, the best recommendation would be to remove the joint sand and rejoint with Techniseal HP NextGel Polymeric Sand, which is the best sand on the market. Pavers and joints should be resealed every 3-5 years.
I just had Dublin cobble pavers in lueders gray installed for my patio which is a lighter color than my previous aggregate. It has a western exposure and I live in hot Texas. In the afternoon the patio is so bright it’s hard to look at. I noticed they are darker when wet. If I apply a matte finish sealer will that slightly darken the pavers making them easier to view? I don’t want a wet look and I don’t want them a lot darker. Also want to retain their “natural look”. Please advise. Also please advise on water vs solvent. I prefer water if more environmentally friendly.
I will reach out to the Techniseal team to see what the best option would be and report back.
Hello, we just poured a 3′ concrete ribbon around our pool and are now installing Laffit Grana Belgard Pavers around the concrete for the patio. My question is can i seal both the pavers and the concrete with the same sealer? The pool is a salt water pool and looking for a non slip, no gloss sealer? Thanks
You would have to use a sealer that is compatible with both poured and drycast concrete. This may limit your choices of aesthetic finishes. Techniseal recommends to use Techniseal Natural Look IN Sealer on the pavers and Techniseal Brick and concrete sealer on the poured concrete. It will leave the same matte finish and look on both surfaces.
Just moved into new home in a Las Vegas community. Driveway and patio are Belgrade pavers. The driveway pavers have white spots on them about 1/2” each. Toll Brothers says it is from the pavers being stacked. Is that correct? Should we attempt to clean pavers before sealing?
You should always clean pavers before sealing. Those white spots could be efflorescence, which is a natural process that often happens with pavers in which the salts within the pavers migrate to the surface. Techniseal Paver Prep will help remove efflorescence and will also chemically prepare your pavers for the sealant, allowing for optimal penetration. This will extend the durability of the sealant.
What can I do for my Tremron pavers to make it cooler to walk on around the pool will getting it sealed help at all. I am in Alabama and it is hot !!!
Great question! Are your pavers dark in color? If so, that could be why they’re absorbing more heat. We’ve reached out to the Techniseal R&D department to see whether they’ve done research on if or how different sealants affect the solar reflective index (SRI) of pavers. We’ll follow up with the answer to see whether sealants can help bring you some relief.
Just prepped my Lafit 3 piece Danville beige paver patio with the Techniseal paver prep and am noticing that the pavers appear speckled, the tiny rocks inside the concrete pavers are showing through, almost like the tiny gravel inside the concrete were covered by the coloring of the paver and the paver prep ate it away especially on the holland midnight trim brick. I purchased and am planning to seal with the IN (natural look) sealer from Techniseal. Please help!
We forwarded your question to the Techniseal technical support team.
According to the Techniseal support team, there are several factors that could be at work here, including the possibility that the product was not diluted enough. But they would need more detailed information (including photos) to help you finish your project with the best results. Please reach out to Chris Callahan by emailing photos and project details to ccallahan@techniseal.com.
We had our pavers sealed a week ago and they are still tacti. They were cleaned, sand put down and two coats applied. They dried for a day before sealing. First coat was applied then a few hours later a second coat was applied. We have had over 90 degree sunny weather and rain each day; should they still be tacti? They had been sealed over 2 years ago, also .
There could be several factors at work. If any moisture got trapped under the sealant, that could be the culprit. There’s also the possibility that too much product was used. If the pavers are slick and greasy, you can apply a citric degreaser that can be purchased at a hardware store. If they are sticky, you can possibly resolve the situation with Techniseal Paver Prep. Before proceeding, you might want to call the Techniseal Customer Service Department at (800) 645-7325.
Thanks for explaining that concrete pavers should cure for at least 30 days to make sure no moisture is sealed inside them. My husband and I are looking for a masonry supplier in our area because we like the idea of having a circular brick patio added to our new backyard, now that we finally have the space for one. Do you know if the timeline for sealing brick pavers is the same as concrete ones?
If you install brick pavers with mortar or polymeric sand, the joints need 30-60 days to cure. If there is no jointing materials, you can seal them at any time as long as they’ve been dry for 24 hours.
My walkway is stone and I noticed it is leaking sand onto my driveway. There is no crack or sinking noticable. How can I fix it? Would sealing it fix it?
What type of jointing material did you use…regular sand or polymeric sand? If you used regular sand, you might want to consider rejointing. You would use a low-PSI pressure washer with a rotating tip to remove the sand from the joints, blow off the debris, and let it dry completely (typically 24 hours). Then, refill the joints with polymeric sand. If it’s natural stone, the best to use is NOCO jointing sand. If it’s manufactured stone, go with HP NextGel. Allow to cure for 30 days and then seal.
We are about to get Belgard pavers installed and have been told conflicting information about when to have the sealer put on. We live in Florida. One said to wait three to four weeks. The other said we should have it put on the next day. Which is the better approach? Thanks!
When it says to wait 30 days to avoid trapping moisture, is that referring to moisture held in the pavers during storage before installation? Like what if it rains 14 days after installation? Does rainwater evaporate quicker so this is referring only to the water that has permeated the pavers deeper down?
Water is used to activate the jointing sand. It takes the joints a couple of days to harden and 30 to cure. As long as it doesn’t rain 48 hours after installation or 48 hours before sealing, you should be good to go.
What product do you recommend to kill and clean the black mold off of the pavers and sand between?
A lot of products that treat mold are terrible for pavers and can actually discolor them. Techniseal Organic Stain Remover can safely treat and remove mold without damaging the pavers.
Hello, I live in Seattle and I understand I need to wait 30 days before I can seal my driveway and patio pavers that were just installed. But we are entering the cold, rainy season. Should I just wait until Spring?
You may want to wait. You definitely want them to be good and dry and for the temperature to be over 55 degrees. When you do seal them, you can clean them with Techniseal Paver Prep to get rid of any dirt that accumulated since installation and for maximum penetration of the sealant.
I just had a contractor install a large patio and pool deck with Catalina Grana pavers. In many locations he used the butt end of a hammer handle to set the pavers, leaving white marks where they were hit. The pavers do not yet have joint sand applied. The contractor says that sealing with a matte finish sealer will eliminate all the marks. I don’t want the pavers locked in place with a polymeric sand followed by a sealer that doesn’t solve the problem. Do you have a suggestion?
Your question has been forwarded to our customer care center. They will reach out to you shortly to get additional information and make recommendations for a course of action.
We just had a paver patio and pool installed. They did not seal the pavers. I believe the the installers splattered pool shock on the pavers. Which product would be the best to clean that? Plan to seal the pavers in Spring.
Your pavers definitely need to be sealed. Hopefully, the stains you are talking about are efflorescence and not from the pool shock, as shock contains chemicals that could potentially discolor unsealed pavers. Efflorescence is a natural process that can happen with when the salts inside of the pavers migrate to the surface. If this is what you’re seeing, Techniseal Paver Prep will remove efflorescence and prepare the pavers to receive the sealant.
A pool company we’re looking to work with are looking to install Belgard white based Titanium color pavers for our pool deck. They said the pavers shouldn’t be pressure washed or sealed for a year. They said they’ll use concrete baes paver sand to set the pavers and said a year in the sun will ensure better color matching. Does that sound accurate?
For protection, we recommend sealing once the joints have cured (typically about 30 days). Unprotected pavers and joints are more susceptible to fading, staining, ant infiltration, weeds, mold, etc.
It’s great that you talked about paver sealing and when you should re-apply it! Last week, my parents said they wanted to invest in their driveway. I believe my parents would love to get their driveway sealed, so I’ll be sure to suggest it! Thanks for the advice on why you should inspect it after heavy rains!
Do you recommend sealing paver walls that surround a paver patio? If so how would you clean them prior to sealing?
You do not need to seal walls but may want to seal caps when used where there will be the potential for stains (like a seat wall or the top of a kitchen or bar). We recommend using a natural look sealant, which can be applied with a foam roller like with pavers.
Does Belgard porcelain pavers need to be sealed?
Porcelain pavers are non-porous and do not need to be sealed. They are highly resistant to stains, mold, mildew and fading. Definitely a tremendous benefit to choosing porcelain.
Make sure to use a breathable sealer. I live in Tampa Florida and used Island Way Clean and Seal and they did a phenomenal job. Belgard has great info also
What is the best sealer to put on a pool deck to help eliminate slipping? We have the Catalina pavers and it seems that the Wet Look would be slippery. Also, do not want to darken the pavers any more than necessary.
Barry, Thanks for your question
We recommend use the IN water-based sealant by Techniseal, it will protect against the chemicals in your pool and moreover it is non-slip. You can also add the water-based Techniseal Surefoot Anti -Slip to your sealant for better protection. Both products are on the Techniseal web page. Please let us know if you need any other assistance. Thanks!
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