If you have pavers that create your patio or driveway, one of the things that you are going to have to do is seal them for time to time. Below are the tips that you can use to make sure you seal your pavers properly.
Check the Water Barrier of the Pavers
Before you reseal the pavers, it’s important for you to check and see if your current sealer’s still working. Take your hose and spray water on the pavers. If your water is beading on their surface, you’re lucky and you don’t have to reseal them. If the water’s being absorbed into your paver’s surface, they need to be resealed.
Clean the Pavers
Before you start resealing your pavers, they should be thoroughly cleaned. Remove the furniture that you have sitting on the pavers to make sure that you have quick and easy access to all of your pavers. Cleaning the pavers is a very important part of maintaining them along with being one of the most essential steps before you seal them. Removing any types of stains and dirt that you see on the surface of the pavers is going to let the sealant adhere properly to the sealers. If you choose to pressure wash them, you should be careful. If you do it wrong, it can damage them.
Inspect the Pavers for Any Damage
Your pavers go through a lot during the year, especially during the winter. When water seeps beneath your pavers’ surface during wintertime might have created damage that is beyond what you can see on the surface. A frost may have cracked, pushed or loosened your pavers so that they are uneven. If this has happened, you might want to have a professional to do the repairs. It’s important that you do repairs before they are sealed to make sure that they’re protected.
Refill Your Joint Sand
While you are doing the inspection, look closely at the areas where there’s lost sand in between the joints. It’s recommended by experts that polymeric sand’s used between pavers. When you combine this sand with water, it will create polymer adhesive that’s going to keep the pavers together a lot better. It’s going to be less likely that it will wash away, and it will protect the pavers much better against infestations and weeds.
Check the Instructions from the Manufacturer
Before purchasing your sealant, be sure that you’re reading the instructions that the manufacturer provides. Different types of pavers will require certain sealant types. Make certain that you are selecting the right type of sealant for the pavers that you have. After you’ve discovered the sealant type that you need, you’ll be able to figure out the kind of effect you’re looking for. Some of the sealants just give pavers the waterproof barrier and don’t affect the texture or color. Other types of sealants provide the pavers with natural properties or make them look wet.
Seal the Pavers
Once you have let your pavers sit so that they’re dry and settle, then you want to seal them. With your paver sealer, follow the directions that the sealer comes with. Each of the sealers have different directions, so make sure that you are paying attention to the way that its applied, the number of coats, the length of time it has to stand and others. Use a brush, sprayer or roller to apply your sealer evenly. Don’t use an excessive amount, since it can damage your pavers. Be sure that the area’s dry before you walk on the pavers.
These are the six tips that you can use to make sure that your pavers are sealed properly. Sealing pavers doesn’t just protect them. It also helps them to look their best.