Nature can be ruthless, especially in Tampa, Florida. Between sweltering days and hurricanes, your pavers can’t escape the abuse of heat and moisture.
Not only do the sunlight, rain, and wind contribute to the deterioration of your pavers, but they also help a host of organisms that love to live on the surface. Weeds sprout everywhere and mold and algae get a grip on your driveway, patio, and pool deck. And once they move in, it seems like they never want to leave.
But those aren’t the only foes your pavers face. Unsealed pavers are thirsty, and they will soak up every ounce of liquid that touches them, including:
- Motor oil
- Battery acid
- Fertilizer
- Barbecue grease
- Drink spills
This is bad news for homeowners because stains set deep under the substrate and make it difficult to remove.
The best way to protect your pavers from everyday wear and tear is to have them professionally sealed by contractors you can trust. But just sealing your pavers isn’t enough. You have to:
- Prep the area
- Use the right sealer
- Apply it evenly
- Give it time to dry
We know this is a lot to take in. Learning how paver sealer is used correctly is complicated! That’s why the professional paver sealing specialists at Premier Pro Wash & Seal are here to help. When you hire us to seal your pavers, we will handle the details, leaving you to enjoy the gorgeous results.
A Clean Slate
Before applying paver sealer, it’s important to prepare the area. The first step to achieving an ideal sealing surface is to clean it well.
Pretreating any stains or efflorescence is crucial for beautiful results. Otherwise, those unsightly marks will be locked inside and become difficult if not impossible to remove. Once the right solutions are used to lift stains, it’s time to wash them away.
To cleanse the porous surface of pavers in a way that is both safe and efficient, Premier Pro Wash & Seal makes use of a professional rotary surface cleaner that pumps out 8 gallons of hot water per minute. With the combination of fast flowing water and heat, foreign matter is loosened and flushed away.
Next, we fill the joint spaces with sterile sand. But choosing any sand will not work well. Play sand or polymeric sands promote mold growth.
Wet sanding is preferred for filling joints. This method packs the sand down better, reducing air pockets. We fill the sand 1/4″-1/8″ below the paver’s chamfered edge.
Once all the sand has been cleaned up, it’s time to seal!
The Right Paver Sealer
The only paver sealer that should be used in Florida is a water-based one. At Premier Pro Wash & Seal, we use a professional grade two-part water-based sealer to protect your property.
Why?
Using solvent-based sealers is a waste of time and money. In fact, it will cost you more money to fix the damage!
Moisture caught under the sealer will leave behind white, cloudy marks. The water trapped inside will also loosen the sealer underneath, causing it to flake, peel, and wear away.
Fixing this mistake will cost homeowners up to five times more than the cost of a paver wash and seal service. Only chemical stripping will remove a solvent-based sealer once it has failed.
Application
When it’s time to apply, the best tool to use is a spray nozzle. This ensures more control over the sealer and an even coating.
Two or three coats should be layered, being sure not to allow the sealer to pool. (Pooling will cause discoloration.)
Drying Time
Just like when you apply paint, once the job is done, the area needs to be protected. The perfect shield created over your pavers will only defend well if it remains intact. But don’t worry, in only a few hours (roughly 2 days) your pavers will be ready for anything.
After a period of four hours, the sealer is dry enough that you can safely walk on them with shoes. Once the twenty-four mark strikes, you will be able to swim in the pool and pets can walk around. After 48 hours, your sealer is set! Vehicles are able to drive over pavers without harming the sealer, and grass maintenance can resume.
Re-Sealing
Every time we re-seal your pavers, the protection strengthens. More and more of the sealer will penetrate into the porous substrate, each layer defending the one above it.
Although you should wash your pavers at least every 6 months, you do not need to reseal for 2 to 3 years. This will reinforce your previous seal and help to keep your pavers looking like new year after year.
Paver Sealer Professionals in Tampa Bay
Do not allow amateurs to destroy your property after spending so much money on pavers! Protect your pavers by hiring professionals that care. We will apply a long-lasting water-based sealant on your driveway, patio, or pool deck that will never flake, yellow, peel, or trap moisture.
When it comes time to seal your pavers in Tampa, you can count on our specialists to get the job done right the first time! Get in contact with our team now for a free estimate!