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Sealing your pavers can help prolong their life. It protects your investment and ensures you do not waste money on preventable repairs. However, hiring an inexperienced company or using the wrong products yourself can create more work than you realize. Below are the most common results of improper paver sealing.
- Blotchy Patches
Applying the wrong type of sealant to your pavers can be worse than applying none at all. Beware of any sealants that claim they can be used on any type of paver. Paver materials are all different; their finishing properties are unique to their chemical makeup. For example, brick pavers will be more porous than limestone. Pealing, bubbled or discolored pavers may result from using the wrong type of sealant on your pavers. Pavers may appear yellowed, waxy or even clouded with the wrong sealer.
- Efflorescence
Efflorescence is the term used to describe a chemical reaction that occurs when salt migrates to the surface of your pavers. Efflorescence typically presents itself as white streaks or patches on your pavers. The main cause of this is residual moisture within the pavers or filler sand. To help prevent this, the environment should be dry for at least three consecutive days during the summer. When it is cooler, this should be increased to five consecutive days. This waiting period will ensure your pavers are as dry as possible before applying a sealant. While some water-based sealants may be applicable without the wait, acrylic, polyurethane, monofluorethane and many other sealers will need pavers to be absolutely dry before application.
- Excessive Sand
Some professionals may tell you they will throw the filler sand in for free. Beware of this. Most professionals use polymeric sand, which hardens when water is applied. This creates a stronger seal for your pavers. However, many rush jobs or inexperienced Do-It-Yourselfers may just throw sand in the joints. This sand can be spread all over the surface of your pavers, even as you sweep and try to clean up. A true professional will not use this. Moreover, regardless of what they use, they ensure the pavers themselves are clean before applying a sealant. Sealing sand onto the pavers’ surface will cause your sealant to peel off. Dirty surfaces make the sealant unable to properly adhere to the pavers themselves.
- Mold & Mildew
Mold and mildew can grow on the surfaces of both pavers and filler sand. As with the excessive sand, cleaning your pavers before applying a sealant is vital. Mold and mildew can prevent the sealant from adhering to your pavers. They can also create stains that can be hard to remove.
- Organic Growth & Infestations
Making sure plant matter and insects have been removed prior to sealing is important. Organic growth and infestations can degrade the paver foundation. It can also cause your filler sand to break loose. As plants and bugs pour through the joints of your pavers, they can increase the likelihood of cracking and breakage.
- Stains
Grease, rust and other elements can create damaging stains on your pavers. When a sealant is not properly applied (or not applied at all), these stains can become even harder to remove. Rust stains in particular are very hard to take off. If you notice metal rusting on your pavers, you should remove it immediately to prevent further damages.
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