Is Sealing Your Pavers Worth it?
Pavers are a beautiful addition to any outdoor project. They offer a finished look for patios, pool decks, driveways, or fire pits. Pavers come in a wide variety of colors and materials. This allows you to work with Unique Pavers Design to customize your design for your home. They are also easy to clean. Many materials are stain-resistant. This makes pavers a great choice for a barbecue area or as a driveway.
Pavers are naturally long-lasting. They are strong, durable, and weather-resistant. They are an investment that will continue to raise the value of your home. It doesn’t matter what the project is.
But weather beats down on your paver projects. Over time, even the most durable pavers materials start to fade. Sun bleaches vibrant colors. Mold or mildew grows on the surface. Weeds that grow between where the pavers meet start to crack the actual paver!
So how do you fight against all this natural destruction? The best way to keep your pavers looking new is by having a strong defense. Routine cleaning and maintenance do a lot to keep your pavers looking their best. Sealing your pavers is an option for an added layer of protection.
But is sealing your pavers worth the time and money? Let’s take a look at everything sealing your pavers has to offer. We will also look at the average cost of sealing your pavers.
Sealing Your Pavers: The Process
Sealing your pavers is a very simple process. Unique Pavers Designs recommends power washing your pavers before sealing them. Routine cleaning and maintenance are important. It helps to keep your pavers looking great. But before sealing, you need a more in-depth clean. Make sure you remove old stains and yard debris before sealing. The sealant will make it nearly impossible to remove old stains once it sets.
Unique Pavers Designs does not pressure wash. But we can direct you to a trusted company that does. Many pressure washing companies also offer paver sealing. Square footage determines the cost of pressure washing. The type of pavers you have may also affect the price of pressure washing. Brick pavers need more care. Brick uses more paver sand and needs extra rinsing after pressure washing.
You do not have to pressure wash before sealing. But not pressure washing beforehand can lead to forever stains or sealed in blades of grass. At least sweep and rinse before sealing.
Sealing your pavers takes place after they are clean and dry. A heavy-duty sealant is then sprayed over your pavers. Sealants penetrate deep into your paver to provide a lasting defense. Usually, it takes several coats to seal your pavers. After the final application, stay off your pavers for at least 2 hours.
Quick Tip!
Whenever you seal your pavers, keep a record of it. Keep a written record of the brand of sealant the company uses to seal your pavers. Some sealants will react poorly with others. Sealing is something that needs to be redone occasionally. Do not risk the ugly white haze that comes with mixing sealants. Make things easy, keep a record.
Mold and Mildew Control
Pavers are prone to mold and mildew growth. Especially in areas where they do not get a lot of direct sunlight. Shaded areas breed slimy pavers. Washing and brushing your pavers often helps to prevent build-up. But mold can be a tricky thing to deal with. A common misconception is that bleach kills mold. It does not. Removing mold from the surface of your pavers is easy. But pavers are porous. This means mold spores can live inside your paver. Spores may be lurking under the surface or within the texture of your pavers. Leftover spores allow for second mold growth.
Sealing your pavers limits mold growth to the surface. With a sealed paver, removing the surface mold or mildew is enough. Sealing your pavers prevents mold from breaking the surface layer. Spores will no longer find a home within the pores of your pavers. The same is true for mildew.
Sealing your pavers makes cleaning mildew and mold a breeze. Say goodbye to slippery pavers and to scrubbing mold out.
Keep Your Paver Sand in Place
Pavers are individual pieces of stone, cement, or brick. They fit together like puzzle pieces. These pieces lock together with paver sand. Over time, paver sand erodes away. Water from rain and your hose force sand out of the joints. Replacing the sand is a necessary step in paver ownership. But you can reduce how often your sand needs replacing with sealing.
Sealing is not just a process for pavers. It covers the sand in the joints of your pavers, too. Sealing the sand reinforces the strength of your pavers. It prevents them from moving and cracking. It also helps to keep sand in place. That means you get to replace it less often.
Weed Control
Like mold and mildew, sealing keeps weeds on the surface. Weeds grow between and on pavers all the time. They are a common nuisance that needs constant elimination. The joints between your pavers are naturally more prone to weeds and plant life.
Sealing your pavers prevents weeds from growing in your joints. Sealant goes down deep into the sand in your joints. Sealing your pavers prevents weeds from both angles. From below, they can not grow through sealed paver sand. From above, they cannot get their roots down to the soil through the seal. Any growth can be easily rinsed or swept away.
Unsealed pavers with weed growth are prone to cracking or lifting. Uncontrolled weeds have the ability to compromise your paver design. Stop them in their tracks before they get the chance to wreak havoc.
UV Protection
Many pavers materials come in vibrant colors. Not all pavers designs are a colorful rainbow. For the ones that are, sealing offers some protection.
The sun is a powerful star in the sky. In Southwest Florida, it beats down on us all year long. Your pavers are not immune to the harmful effects the sun has. Think of sealing your pavers as a way to put sunscreen on them.
Sealing your pavers helps keep their colors brighter longer. Keep your pavers looking as good as the day Unique Pavers Designs installs them. We recommend sealing quickly after installation.
Average Cost to Seal Pavers
The cost of sealing your pavers is usually based on the square footage of the area. This means that the cost to seal your pavers varies greatly from project to project. But on average, the cost per square foot in Southwest Florida ranges from $0.90 to $2.
You can get a general idea of how much it will cost you to seal your space. Start by finding the square footage of the area. Square footage is the length multiplied by the width. Take the square footage and multiply that by the cost per square foot. This will give you a good estimate of what your project will cost.
Is it Worth it?
With all the positive evidence, yes. Sealing your pavers is absolutely worth the investment. Sealing your pavers and paver sand can save you money on replacing pavers down the road. Protect the color in your design. Prevent weeds, mildew, and mold growth. Keep your sand in your joints.
For more information on the benefits of sealing your pavers, contact us today!
Unique Pavers Designs is here for all your pavers needs. We create stunning designs meant to last forever. Call us to create your fire pit, patio, home add on, and more! Check out our gallery of projects!