How to Seal Pavers

Jan 16, 2023

By Austin Sherman

Reports show that 750 million square feet of pavers were sold in 2018 in Canada and the US. The reports also show that 78% of those pavers were for residential projects.

If you want to seal the pavers for your home project, you need to know how to go about doing this. This is a very important step that you want to do the right way.

Pavers are very common in home projects to elevate the look and value of your home. This is something that many homeowners can do themselves with the right tools and information.

Keep reading to find out how to seal pavers at home and what you need.

What You Need to Seal Pavers

Before you ever start sealing pavers, you need to know what materials to use. There are plenty of different sealer options that you will need to decide on.

The materials you choose are going to depend on your project. Not every kind of sealer is going to be ideal for every project involving pavers.

This is where it is very important to do your information before starting your project. The last thing you want to do is put the effort into this project only to realize you use the wrong materials.

Here are the different kinds of sealer options you have when starting this project.

Solvent Sealer

One type of common paver sealer is a solvent-based sealer. This type of sealer has been around for a very long time and includes acrylics in the formula.

This sealer creates a darker color and a film that forms on the top of the pavers. These two things combined create a wet look that is a glossiness to the finished project.

You can find solvent-based sealers and high gloss or matte varnish options. The one thing to know is that solvent sealers can be more difficult to obtain than other options.

VOC regulations make this sealer harder to find in certain states. Because of this, you may not be able to find them in a local store in your area.

The benefit of solvent-based sealers is that they are suitable for most kinds of concrete surfaces. They help to protect the pavers from water, stains, abrasions, and UV rays.

Water-Based Sealer

If you want to go for a more natural look to your pavers, water-based sealers are ideal. Water-based sealers give paver projects a more natural finish than solvent-based sealers.

This is a sealer that is true to color and isn’t going to bubble or streak as badly. This makes it easier for beginners to apply with fewer issues with the finished project.

You can find water-based sealers in matte or satin finishes depending on the look you want. Because they are water-based, these sealers are easy to apply and easy to clean up.

These sealers help to prevent water damage and protect against UV rays. They offer non-yellowing formulations to help your pavers is to stay true to color even after wear and tear.

For those who have never worked with sealers, this can be the best beginner-friendly option. Water-based sealers are easy to work with and easier to fix if you make a mistake.

Silicone Sealer

If you need to seal pavers, a silicone sealer can be a great option. This is a new type of sealer that has not been around as long as the other options have.

Like water-based sealers, a silicone sealer helps to provide a natural finish. This is not going to impact the color of the pavers, so they stay exactly how they looked before.

A silicone sealer is not going to darken the color like a solvent-based sealer either. It gives a very natural look so that the pavers don’t even look like they have been sealed.

One of the best aspects of a silicone sealer is that it does not need many coats. Most people are able to use one coat only for a faster project.

Not only is a silicone sealer less time-consuming, but it is also very easy to apply for beginners. The main thing to note is that it will not bind to joint sand, and it doesn’t protect against weed growth.

You will need to find other solutions to keep weeds from growing between your pavers.

Wet Look Sealer

If you want your pavers to have a wet look, you will need to choose a specific sealer. This can usually include most of the sealer, as we have already discussed.

You need to find a glossy finish sealer that will provide that shiny top layer. This gives pavers a wet appearance that darkens and enhances the color of the pavers.

The more coats you apply, the higher gloss the pavers are going to have. The glossier they are, the wetter they are going to look, and the more depth of color you will achieve.

This is a great option if you want your pavers to have a very durable seal and a luxurious appearance. This will create a much more eye-catching project than matte finish pavers.

How to Seal Pavers With These Steps

If you plan on a project where you need to seal the pavers, you need to know the steps. There are certain steps to follow to accomplish this.

Paving projects are relatively simple depending on the design you are doing. Even the step of sealing the pavers can be very simple if you know what you are doing.

You can often do this on your own home project with just a bit of research and the right materials. As long as you follow these steps, you shouldn’t run into any issues during this process.

Choose Materials

Before you start this project, you need to have decided on the materials. By this point, you should have a better understanding of the type of sealer you want to use.

Each type of sealer is going to be ideal for different projects. It will often depend on the type of finish you want since they all provide a different look.

If you have never tackled a project like this before, you may want to choose a user-friendly option. Sealer options like water-based sealers are easier for beginners to use.

Preparation

Now that you have chosen the type of sealer you are going to use, now it is time to prepare. You want to visually inspect your paving project before starting to seal it.

It is important to find any issues before you do this so that they can be repaired. This typically includes areas of damage that could lead to issues later on with the pavers.

Broken or cracked pavers should be replaced before sealing everything. The joints should also be filled with enough locking sand so that everything is firmly in place.

The locking sand is the protective barrier for your pavers. This is what is going to keep them in place and looking nice as they are in use.

You may also want to clean off paving it before starting to seal everything. You can use soap and water with a bristle brush to clean off dirt, growth, or vegetation.

If you notice any vegetation growing around or between pavers, make sure to remove this. If this is the case, you may also need to replace some of the locking and sand.

Make sure you let the surface completely dry before you continue to the next step. If you try to seal wet pavers, you are going to trap that moisture, which can lead to serious issues.

Application

Once you have looked over your paving project, you can start the application. You should have read the directions for your sealer before starting this step.

Each type of sealer is going to require some different application steps. This can’t even depend on the brand of sealer that you choose, as they may have a different formula.

Make sure you read the instructions and even look up some instructional videos. It is better to be overprepared than underprepared when you start this project.

Make sure you start application on a day when the weather is sunny or mild. It should not be so cold that the application cannot dry or be rainy weather.

A low-pressure sprayer is ideal for saturating the pavers before applying it with a roller. The roller is used to help absorb excess sealer that you do not need.

Work in a way so that you are getting an even layer of sealer over all of the pavers. Go in a direction that makes sense for the project and allows you to move without touching the sealer.

Depending on the type of sealer, you may need to do several coats. This will also depend on whether you want a wet appearance since more layers will create more glossiness.

Dry Time

When you have applied the sealer, it is time to step back and let it dry. It is very important to give this time since you want the sealer to fully dry before it is used.

Try to keep people and pets away from the pavers until they are dry to the touch. This is why it is also important to do this on a day when the weather is not going to be rainy.

The longer you allow the sealer to dry without interference, the better the finish will be. If you are applying more than one coat, allow each coat to fully dry before doing the next.

You may need to set aside several days to achieve this so that every coat can completely dry.

Why It Is Important to Seal Pavers

You may be wondering why you need to seal the pavers once you have completed your project. After all, this is just one more step that you have to do.

As inconvenient as this may be, sealing pavers are very important. This is going to lengthen the lifespan of your paving project so that it stays like new for a longer period

As inconvenient as this may be, sealing pavers is very important. This is going to lengthen the lifespan of your paving project so that it stays like new for a longer.

Even the toughest of pavers are going to go through wear and tear. Consistent use will gradually wear down the pavers and can even result in chipping or cracking.

Even the sun's UV rays will start to have a negative impact on pavers. This is going to greatly impact their color and start to fade them over time.

Sealing your pavers helps to prevent this issue so that they stay in like new condition. You will need to reseal pavers every 3 to 5 years as a precautionary measure.

But doing this extra step will help to secure your paving project and keep it in fantastic condition.

How to Seal Pavers and What You Need

If you're going to seal pavers, you need to know what steps to follow. This is a relatively simple project, but you still want to know exactly what to expect.

Are you planning on selling your paving project? Contact us today at Coatly for the best sealer options available.