Sealing Pavers Correctly
Clean | Prepare | Apply
Sealing Pavers Correctly
Clean | Prepare | Apply
How to Seal Pavers Correctly
Pavers are constantly exposed to weather, moisture, dirt, oils, food and drinks, organic growth and everyday wear. Sealing pavers can help protect them from these elements, reduce staining and make ongoing cleaning and maintenance easier.
However, achieving a good result isn't simply a matter of applying a sealer. Correct cleaning, preparation and application are just as important as choosing the right product. Whether you're sealing new paving or refreshing an existing paved area, following the correct process will help you achieve better and longer-lasting protection.
For successful sealing of pavers, remember the basic process: Choose → Clean → Prepare → Test → Seal → Cure
Taking the time to properly prepare the surface and apply a suitable sealer according to its instructions will provide a much better result than rushing directly into application.
At WA Sealers, we supply professional penetrating sealers for concrete, natural stone and other porous paving materials. If you're unsure which product is suitable, tell us what your pavers are made from, whether they're indoors or outdoors and what you want to protect them from, and we can help you select the right option.
How to Seal Pavers Correctly
Pavers are constantly exposed to weather, moisture, dirt, oils, food and drinks, organic growth and everyday wear. Sealing pavers can help protect them from these elements, reduce staining and make ongoing cleaning and maintenance easier.
However, achieving a good result isn't simply a matter of applying a sealer. Correct cleaning, preparation and application are just as important as choosing the right product. Whether you're sealing new paving or refreshing an existing paved area, following the correct process will help you achieve better and longer-lasting protection.
For successful sealing of pavers, remember the basic process: Choose → Clean → Prepare → Test → Seal → Cure
Taking the time to properly prepare the surface and apply a suitable sealer according to its instructions will provide a much better result than rushing directly into application.
At WA Sealers, we supply professional penetrating sealers for concrete, natural stone and other porous paving materials. If you're unsure which product is suitable, tell us what your pavers are made from, whether they're indoors or outdoors and what you want to protect them from, and we can help you select the right option.
1. Choose the Right Sealer for Your Pavers
Before you begin, identify exactly what type of paver you have.
Pavers can be made from concrete, clay, natural stone and other materials, and their porosity can vary considerably. The right sealer will depend on the substrate, where it is being used and the type of protection you need.
Consider:
- What are the pavers made from?
- Are they indoors or outdoors?
- Are they exposed to oil, grease, food or drinks, vehicle traffic?
- Is water repellency the main priority or do you need more?
- Do you want to maintain or change their appearance?
At WA Sealers, we specialise in penetrating and impregnating sealers. Rather than creating a coating over the paver, these products penetrate into the substrate to provide protection from within. Because there is no (or minimal) surface film, they won't peel, flake or delaminate like a surface coating can.
2. Clean the Pavers Thoroughly
One of the most important steps when sealing pavers is proper cleaning. Sealing over dirt, stains or contamination can affect the final result. Depending on the condition of the paving, you may need to remove:
- Dirt and grime
- Oil and grease
- Moss, mould and algae
- Organic staining
- Efflorescence or cement residue
- Existing incompatible coatings or treatments
Use a cleaner appropriate for both the contamination and the type of paver.
New paving shouldn't automatically be considered clean either. Construction residue, dust, efflorescence and other contaminants generally still need to be removed before sealing.
5. Apply the Sealer Correctly
Application requirements vary between products, so always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Penetrating sealers generally need sufficient product to penetrate into the pores of the material. Applying too little can result in inadequate protection, while excessive product left sitting on the surface can also cause problems.
- Depending on the product and surface, application may be by roller, brush or low-pressure sprayer.
- Work methodically across the area and pay attention to how quickly the pavers are absorbing the sealer.
- For very porous pavers, additional product or coats may be required to achieve the desired protection.
6. Allow the Sealer to Cure
Sealing isn't finished as soon as the surface looks dry.
The sealer needs time to develop its protective properties, and the required curing time varies between products.
- Avoid exposing newly sealed paving to traffic, water, cleaning products or other contaminants until permitted by the product instructions.
- Always check the relevant Technical Data Sheet for application conditions, drying times and when the treated surface can return to normal use.
3. Prepare the Surface Before Sealing
Once the pavers have been cleaned, inspect the entire area before applying the sealer. Make sure any cleaning residue has been properly removed and check that there are no remaining stains or contaminants that need further treatment.
Also consider surrounding areas. Protect surfaces that aren't being treated, particularly glass, painted surfaces, metals, plants or other materials where overspray or accidental application could be an issue.
Always follow the specific preparation requirements for the sealer you're using.
Do Pavers Need to Be Completely Dry Before Sealing?
This depends entirely on the sealer. Many conventional sealers require a completely dry substrate before application. However, the Pro Seal Range of sealers must be applied to a damp surface, which significantly reduces the waiting time after cleaning.
The important point is to follow the Technical Data Sheet for the particular product rather than assuming every sealer has the same application requirements.
4. Test the Sealer First
Before sealing your pavers, carry out a test on a small, inconspicuous area.
This allows you to check:
- How readily the paver absorbs the product
- Whether the appearance changes
- Whether you're happy with the finish
- How the product behaves on that particular substrate
Pavers can vary considerably, even within the same general material category, so a test area is always worthwhile.
1. Choose the Right Sealer for Your Pavers
Before you begin, identify exactly what type of paver you have.
Pavers can be made from concrete, clay, natural stone and other materials, and their porosity can vary considerably. The right sealer will depend on the substrate, where it is being used and the type of protection you need.
Consider:
- What are the pavers made from?
- Are they indoors or outdoors?
- Are they exposed to oil, grease, food or drinks, vehicle traffic?
- Is water repellency the main priority or do you need more?
- Do you want to maintain or change their appearance?
At WA Sealers, we specialise in penetrating and impregnating sealers. Rather than creating a coating over the paver, these products penetrate into the substrate to provide protection from within. Because there is no (or minimal) surface film, they won't peel, flake or delaminate like a surface coating can.
2. Clean the Pavers Thoroughly
One of the most important steps when sealing pavers is proper cleaning. Sealing over dirt, stains or contamination can affect the final result. Depending on the condition of the paving, you may need to remove:
- Dirt and grime
- Oil and grease
- Moss, mould and algae
- Organic staining
- Efflorescence or cement residue
- Existing incompatible coatings or treatments
Use a cleaner appropriate for both the contamination and the type of paver.
New paving shouldn't automatically be considered clean either. Construction residue, dust, efflorescence and other contaminants generally still need to be removed before sealing.
5. Apply the Sealer Correctly
Application requirements vary between products, so always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Penetrating sealers generally need sufficient product to penetrate into the pores of the material. Applying too little can result in inadequate protection, while excessive product left sitting on the surface can also cause problems.
- Depending on the product and surface, application may be by roller, brush or low-pressure sprayer.
- Work methodically across the area and pay attention to how quickly the pavers are absorbing the sealer.
- For very porous pavers, additional product or coats may be required to achieve the desired protection.
6. Allow the Sealer to Cure
Sealing isn't finished as soon as the surface looks dry.
The sealer needs time to develop its protective properties, and the required curing time varies between products.
- Avoid exposing newly sealed paving to traffic, water, cleaning products or other contaminants until permitted by the product instructions.
- Always check the relevant Technical Data Sheet for application conditions, drying times and when the treated surface can return to normal use.
3. Prepare the Surface Before Sealing
Once the pavers have been cleaned, inspect the entire area before applying the sealer. Make sure any cleaning residue has been properly removed and check that there are no remaining stains or contaminants that need further treatment.
Also consider surrounding areas. Protect surfaces that aren't being treated, particularly glass, painted surfaces, metals, plants or other materials where overspray or accidental application could be an issue.
Always follow the specific preparation requirements for the sealer you're using.
Do Pavers Need to Be Completely Dry Before Sealing?
This depends entirely on the sealer. Many conventional sealers require a completely dry substrate before application. However, the Pro Seal Range of sealers must be applied to a damp surface, which significantly reduces the waiting time after cleaning.
The important point is to follow the Technical Data Sheet for the particular product rather than assuming every sealer has the same application requirements.
4. Test the Sealer First
Before sealing your pavers, carry out a test on a small, inconspicuous area.
This allows you to check:
- How readily the paver absorbs the product
- Whether the appearance changes
- Whether you're happy with the finish
- How the product behaves on that particular substrate
Pavers can vary considerably, even within the same general material category, so a test area is always worthwhile.
How Often Should You Reseal Pavers?
There isn't a single timeframe that applies to every paved surface.
How long a sealer lasts will depend on the type of sealer, paver material, porosity, exposure, traffic, cleaning practices and environmental conditions.
Instead of automatically resealing according to a fixed schedule, monitor the performance of the existing treatment. If the pavers are beginning to absorb water or contaminants more readily than they previously did, it may be time to assess whether another treatment is required.
One advantage of a suitable penetrating paver sealer is that there is no surface coating to peel or delaminate as it ages.
Common Mistakes When Sealing Pavers
Many problems attributed to the sealer itself are actually caused by poor preparation or incorrect application.
Some of the most common mistakes include:
- sealing dirty or contaminated pavers
- choosing an unsuitable product
- failing to test first
- applying too much or too little product
- and ignoring the manufacturer's application conditions.
Another common mistake is assuming that all paver sealers behave in the same way. Requirements for surface moisture, application rates, number of coats and curing times can differ considerably between products.
Taking the time to read the product instructions before starting can prevent many of these problems.
Sealing New vs Existing Pavers
The process can differ slightly depending on whether your paving is new or has been in place for some time.
- New pavers may have construction residue, efflorescence or other contaminants that need to be addressed before sealing.
- Existing pavers may require more intensive cleaning to remove accumulated dirt, organic growth, oil and stains. They may also have previously been sealed, in which case it's important to determine what treatment is already present and whether it is compatible with the new sealer.
Never simply apply a new sealer over an unknown existing treatment.
How Often Should You Reseal Pavers?
There isn't a single timeframe that applies to every paved surface.
How long a sealer lasts will depend on the type of sealer, paver material, porosity, exposure, traffic, cleaning practices and environmental conditions.
Instead of automatically resealing according to a fixed schedule, monitor the performance of the existing treatment. If the pavers are beginning to absorb water or contaminants more readily than they previously did, it may be time to assess whether another treatment is required.
One advantage of a suitable penetrating paver sealer is that there is no surface coating to peel or delaminate as it ages.
Common Mistakes When Sealing Pavers
Many problems attributed to the sealer itself are actually caused by poor preparation or incorrect application.
Some of the most common mistakes include:
- sealing dirty or contaminated pavers
- choosing an unsuitable product
- failing to test first
- applying too much or too little product
- and ignoring the manufacturer's application conditions.
Another common mistake is assuming that all paver sealers behave in the same way. Requirements for surface moisture, application rates, number of coats and curing times can differ considerably between products.
Taking the time to read the product instructions before starting can prevent many of these problems.
Sealing New vs Existing Pavers
The process can differ slightly depending on whether your paving is new or has been in place for some time.
- New pavers may have construction residue, efflorescence or other contaminants that need to be addressed before sealing.
- Existing pavers may require more intensive cleaning to remove accumulated dirt, organic growth, oil and stains. They may also have previously been sealed, in which case it's important to determine what treatment is already present and whether it is compatible with the new sealer.
Never simply apply a new sealer over an unknown existing treatment.
Need Help Choosing a Paver Sealer?
Not sure which sealer or cleaning product you need?
Contact Us for advice on preparing, cleaning and sealing your pavers.