Why Seal your Pavers?

If you let pavers go too long without being sealed, you could face a very expensive repair or replacement down the road.

Appearance

When you apply a sealant to your pavers, it gives them a clean, wet look with a glossy finish, depending on the finish of the sealant you use. It will not alter the color of the paver but will instead highlight the hue of the material and enhance the color of the pavers. Plus, the color will stay looking new because sealers provide protection against UV rays that can cause fading.

Protection

Pavers made of concrete, natural stone, and brick can be susceptible to fading, mildew, rust, and staining over time. Applying a sealant can prevent stains and other signs of aging plus it makes it far easier to wash away the dirt, grease, and grime that they’re regularly exposed to without leaving behind residual effects.

Sealers also offer some degree of moisture resistance. Brick, stone, and concrete are porous materials which means that water can easily penetrate the surface. When that water freezes, it can expand and cause the paver to crack. The water can also start to mold or result in grass or weed growth between the stones. The sealer works into the pores of the paver as well as the cracks between to prevent that water from settling and causing damage.

Installation Drainage

Installing pavers constructed of a porous material allows them to trap a significant amount of moisture underneath the installation. This can make it a challenge to create a firm foundation to build your pathway, patio, porch, or whatever have you because there’s no way to remove moisture from underneath.

If you apply a sealer over top, you’re basically creating a barrier that will keep the water from reaching the foundation and making run-off from precipitation more efficient.

If you’ve added pavers to a space that does not receive a lot of foot traffic and is, therefore, less likely to get stained you may choose to skip the sealing process and just display the raw appearance of the paver material. But now that you know both the pros and cons of sealing your pavers, you can decide whether or not you want the benefit of that added protection on your pavers.