How to Seal Patio Pavers in 6 Easy Steps

Paver patios, driveways, and walkways can last decades. But they also tend to look dingy after years of bare feet, spilled drinks, and arts and crafts projects. Applying a sealer can freshen up your outdoor space, making it feel new again. It’ll also hold paver stones in place and prevent the edges from chipping.

1. Choose the Right Paver Sealer

Here’s a look at what you’ll see when you stare at the options in the home improvement aisle:

Film or No Film 

The first choice to make is film-forming or non-film forming sealer. The film-forming kind leaves a protective layer on top of the paver, while non-film forming penetrates the stone, leaving little or no film. Penetrating sealers generally last longer than filming varieties. 

Finish

Choose your paver sealer from a variety of finishes, including: 

• Clear

• Matte

• Glossy

• Natural

Slip

Glossy finishes will have more slip, so avoid them near pools and where the kids run back and forth all summer. For pool surroundings or high-traffic areas, look for a paver sealer marked non-slip to prevent injuries. You can also add grit with a layer of non-slip additive.

2. Level Your Pavers 

If your pavers have settled, shifted, or broken, it’s time to even them out. To pry the problematic pavers out, you can use two flat-head screwdrivers or putty knives if you have them. Special paver pullers are also available for about $30. 

Level the surface with some fine-grain sand and reposition the pavers. Add more sand as needed to fill in the space.

Leveling existing pavers is the most difficult part of the job, but well worth it. Broken pavers can lead to trips and falls. Plus, the surface will look like new with crack-free stones.

3. Remove Old Sealer (If Necessary)

Many products can be applied directly to the top of an old sealer, making the reapplication process quick and inexpensive. Check the product packaging to ensure you can apply sealer directly to the old layer. 

Otherwise, you’ll need to strip off the old layer before you can apply a new one. A gallon of liquid paver sealer stripper costs $20 to $50 per gallon and cleans 100 square feet of patio space. 

Work in small sections to remove the old sealer:

• Use a paintbrush or roller to apply the sealer stripper.

• Use a nylon paintbrush to work the liquid remover into any uneven or stubborn spots.

• Wait 3–24 hours, or as recommended on the packaging.

4. Clean Your Pavers 

Before applying the new sealer, clean your pavers to remove any stains. Take your time here. Any iron stains from patio furniture or burn marks from a fire pit will become permanent if covered in sealant. Use a store-bought masonry cleaner ($25) to spot-clean, or dilute it with water and clean the entire surface.

Depending on how dirty the patio is, you can spray away debris with a hose, scrub with some dish soap, or pressure-wash. Clear any mold or weeds growing through the cracks, too.

Once the surface is clean, walk away. Let it dry for at least 24 hours on a non-humid day when it’s above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. 

5.  Add Polymeric Sand 

With time, the sand between pavers settles or rinses away with the rain. Now is the time to fill it in with a polymeric joint sand. This is a special sand designed to be swept between pavers’ joints. After it’s swept in, it’s watered in, using the shower setting on a garden hose. After it’s watered in, it will harden like concrete and won't wash away.

6. Apply the Sealer 

The sealant container may suggest applying it with a sprayer or roller. Either way, use your tool to apply a smooth, thin layer. Wait about 2 hours after the first coat to apply a second thin layer. 

Then, walk away and let it dry for at least 24 hours. It could take up to three days to cure enough to walk on the surface. For driveway sealing, it’s best to wait three days to drive a car over it.

The ideal day for paver sealing (and for human happiness) is 75 degrees Fahrenheit and sunny. “It’s also important to look at the forecast for the next few days after sealing, to make sure no rain is expected,” says Tara Dudley, owner of Plant Life Designs. 

How Often Should Pavers Be Sealed?

While a paver sealer is designed to protect pavers from harsh elements—like heavy rainfall, sun heat, or freezing temperatures—sealing isn’t intended to fully prevent pavers from aging.

Reapply paver sealer to your driveway or patio every 3 to 5 years to give your pavers a long life. If you live in an area prone to heavy rain or intense sun exposure, or the surface sees heavy traffic, you’ll need to apply a new sealer more often. 

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

Rolling up your sleeves to seal your patio pavers might save you a chunk of change upfront, but it comes at the cost of time, effort, and possibly your weekend plans. DIY paver sealing costs about $200 for enough sealant to cover 1,000 square feet. That’s usually plenty, even if you don’t get it right the first time. For a smaller area—about 200 square feet—you’re looking at roughly $40 for a one-gallon jug. 

If you’d rather not spend summer weekends maintaining your patio, you can hire a professional patio paver to handle the job for around $50 to $80 per hour. In total, pros typically charge between $300 and $550 for the full job, labor and materials included. That also includes cleaning, sealing, and the know-how to get it done quickly and efficiently. 

Plus, while a DIY project can take days if you make a mistake, a professional can complete it in hours. If you have the time and patience, DIY works, but if you’d rather trade sweat for peace of mind, a professional might be the smarter long-term decision.