Paver driveways, walkways, and patios can last for decades with proper maintenance. To give the surfaces a professional finish right after installation, you have to apply a paver sealer.
The product will create a protective coat that will shield your hardscape against the wrath of weather elements, human traffic, and vehicle traffic.
My pavers are in pristine condition, although I installed them almost 9 years ago. The secret is to invest in resealing after every 1-2 year cycles without fail.
In this post, I’ll share the proper procedure for sealing pavements. Not to mention, it is crucial to prepare and plan for your project ahead of time.
Before I start guiding you applying a paver sealer, let’s read our latest reviews of best paver sealers for a wet look.
How to Apply a Paver Sealer: Step by step Guide
Planning is essential if you want your undertakings to be a complete success. The first thing to do is to gather the required tools and equipment. Here is what you need;
- A garden hose –the pavers ought to be cleaned thoroughly before a sealer is applied
- Metal sprayer – this will help with spraying accuracy and speed
- Roller – useful when applying the sealer
- Polymeric sand – any blasted areas should be filled with sand
- Push broom – helps when replacing sand joints
I’ll need to assume you are yet to purchase your sealer. Well, paver sealers are available in a range of textures and colors. The two most common types of sealers in today’s market include:
- Solvent-base or water-base sealer – more durable and offers a natural finish
- Acrylic paver sealant – for a glossy, more attractive finish
Procedure for Applying Paver Sealer
You guessed it right; applying a paver sealer is easy. Most people with basic home improvement skills can pull out successful DIY projects.
Step 1:
First, ensure your pavers are clean and dry. Use your garden hose to flush out dirt, dust, and stones from the surfaces. In case the hardscape is subjected to too much traffic and is overly dirty with more than a few stubborn stains, we recommend investing in a pressure washing project.
Step 2:
It is usual for some sand joints to get dislodged after blasting the pavers with high-pressure water. Use polymeric sand to refill these areas and ensure your work matches the industry standards.
Step 3:
The metal sprayer will now come in handy and enable you to apply your sealer accurately. It pays to first test the product on a small area of the pavement. If you like what you see, you will be more confident proceeding to apply the sealer on whole sections.
When it comes to using paver sealers, less is more. Over spraying the pavements will only create a mess you are not ready to deal with. Metal sprayers do a better job of ensuring the product is applied consistently and accurately.
You can apply a sealer by spraying it to the paver stones directly. Then again, the product can be applied using a roller. It is perfectly okay to choose either of the two application methods. Irrespective of your choice, ensure the sealer is applied consistently.
Step 4:
At this point, the enhanced aesthetics of your pavements will be apparent. You do not want this to get messed up before the sealer dries, so you need to set up barricades around the freshly sealed surfaces.
Within 24-48hours, the sealer will be completely dry, and your pavements are ready for use.
Step 5:
Even a top-quality paver sealer will not serve you for a lifetime. Depending on the amount of traffic your walkways, patio, or driveways receive, you may need to invest in a resealing project after one or two years.
Final Words:
Now you know how to apply a paver sealer. This is a tough acrylic copolymer designed to enhance the curb appeal of pavements. It also prevents surface staining, efflorescence, vegetation growth, and water damage.
A quality product will contain UV absorbers or blockers. It will hence protect your surfaces from the damaging rays of the sun that cause discoloration and the untimely degradation of construction materials.