To seal or not to seal, that is the question
Paver sealers enhance your pavers' appearance while protecting them from stains, mold, fading, and erosion that can weaken your patio or driveway over time.
Expect to pay around $30 per gallon of paver sealer, which covers 250 square feet, and plan to reapply every three to five years.
Clean your pavers thoroughly and choose between water-based sealant for a natural look or acrylic sealer for a glossy finish that enhances color.
Hiring a local paver installation professional provides expert guidance on choosing the right sealer and applying it correctly for long-lasting protection and durability.
Installing a beautiful patio can take your outdoor space from muddy mess to garden-party-ready almost overnight. But before you bust out the cocktails, you’ll want to use a paver sealer to protect your new patio pavers. Sealing your pavers will help extend their life and protect them from the elements.
In addition to protecting your pavers from absorbing stains, there are several other benefits to sealing pavers, as well as a few cons.
Enhances the colors and beauty of the pavers
Makes pavers easier to clean and maintain
Prevents stains from absorbing into the pavers
Makes it harder for mold and mildew to build-up
Helps prevent substances such as oil or tree sap from penetrating the pavers
Prevents fading
Protects from erosion, which will, in turn, prevent loose pavers
Sealant is an added cost (1 gallon of sealant costs an average of $30 and covers 250 square feet)
Sealing takes additional time to apply
You will have to reapply every 3–5 years
Sealant can cause damage to nearby plants
Whether it’s a brand new paver patio, a beautiful walkway, or you’ve used pavers on your driveway, you might be wondering if you need to add a sealant. The short answer is yes.
Concrete is very porous, which means it can absorb stains very quickly. After all the hard work and the cost of installing concrete pavers, you’ll want to protect them from the elements to prolong their life.
With a little effort and paver maintenance, a sealant will keep pavers looking new for years to come.
While concrete pavers are the most common, there are other paver types that can benefit from sealing. You can also use sealant on brick pavers or stone pavers.
Using sealant on your brick or stone pavers will enhance their appearance and prolong the life of the brick or stone, as well as help prevent stains, discoloration, fading, and mildew.
To get ready to apply a paver sealant, you’ll need to make sure you’ve thoroughly cleaned your pavers. Even freshly installed patios have dust and debris, so you’ll at least want to hose your pavers down and allow them to dry completely.
Once dry, give them one more sweep—it’s outdoors, after all—to be sure they are as clean as possible before applying sealant. Remove any furniture or other outdoor items from the area you plan to seal.
Just like choosing paint, you’ll have many options when it comes to deciding on a sealant. Select between a water-based sealant or an acrylic. Both types offer similar protection, so the difference comes down to appearance, so it depends on how you want the finished product to look after you’ve applied your paver sealant,
Water-based sealants offer a more matte or natural look. Acrylic paver sealants are glossier, and you can even choose between high-gloss, semi-gloss, color-enhancing, wet look, and more.
For patios and walkways, allow the paver sealant to dry for at least 24 hours, although it can take as long 72 hours. If you’ve decided to seal your driveway, make sure you wait at least three days before you drive a car on it.
Pavers are not immune to the seasons or the weather. You should aim to apply your paver sealant on a mild, sunny day with low humidity and no rain in the forecast for at least 24 to 48 hours.
Ideally, apply when the temperature range is between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on where you live, this could be the spring season, midsummer or early fall, and in some southern states like Florida, late winter.
Never apply sealant on a windy day. It will blow the sealant onto your garden beds and trees, potentially damaging them. Not to mention, you’ll spend most of your time removing errant leaves and twigs that keep blowing in your path.
If possible, try to apply your sealant early in the day to allow for maximum drying time while the weather holds.
Most paver sealers will need a refresh every 3 to 5 years, depending on what kind of weather they’ve been exposed to. Seasonal conditions can greatly affect your pavers, too.
Factors like salt to de-ice driveways and walkways, frequent heavy rainfall or flooding, and constant bright sun can all affect the staying power of your sealant, so you may need to apply more often.
If you’d prefer to spend your weekend planning for that garden party, consider hiring a paver contractor who can install and seal your pavers for you. Even if your patio is already installed, you can find a paver installation company in your area that can apply the paver sealant for you.
This company does it right. Firstly, I want to say that Landan was a joy to work with. He was so kind, transparent, and had everything under control. His entire team showed up ready to work and they were all very respectful of the fact that we were in an office space. A little backstory – we...
Krumlauf FloorsAmazing job. Efficient and quick without compromising quality. Basement feels brand new. Would use them again in a heartbeat.
AffordaPro RestorationD1 Roofing delivers outstanding service from beginning to end, backed by a strong warranty and expert teams. I highly recommend them for their excellence in meeting and surpassing expectations with unmatched communication. Choosing D1 Roofing was flawless decision
Division 1 Roofing LLCI'm a repeat customer of All Star Paving & Sealing and I appreciate the service that all start paving has done for me in the past. I just recently had them out for an estimate and things couldn't have gone better. The staff that they send out to do the estimates are very knowledgeable. The...
All Star Paving and SealingSupreme Brick & Chimney did an excellent job restoring the brick and mortar joints on my home. Their team was professional, knowledgeable, and completed the work on time. I highly recommend them and will hire them again in the future! Thanks!
Supreme brick & chimneyOn time, clean and finished fast. Windows seem sturdy and the finish is good. Caulking was done with no smudges. Would recommend.
Window Depot USA of Central OhioThey are very reliable and available. They the drains all the time
The WaterworksMary cleaning service does an amazing job cleaning my home. They go over and beyond the cleaning services that I have had in the past. They are very punctual and thorough with cleaning my home, I’m extremely happy with the service they provide and I highly recommend them.
We had a 20+ year old landscape lighting system that needed replacement. Midwest Lightscapes worked with us to design a much improved lighting system, lighting the exterior of the house and the back yard. Installation of the 45 light system took one and one-half days, and went very smoothly....
Midwest LightscapesManuel Calvillo is the best option in the area for roofing and you won't be disappointed.
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Looking to spruce up your outdoor area? Learn how much paver sealing and cleaning costs in Indianapolis, IN, and what factors to consider when budgeting.
Looking to spruce up your outdoor entertaining area? Learn how much it costs to seal pavers and what factors to consider when estimating your total.
Porcelain pavers are a high-end option for your home’s hardscaping that can completely transform your outdoor space. Here’s how much porcelain pavers cost.
Applying a paver sealer to your driveway or patio will give it new life. Read on for steps to help protect your hardscape from stains and damage.
Restore faded pavers with these 5 DIY methods using everyday supplies to make your pavers look like new again.
Paver maintenance may not be top of mind when you’re outside enjoying your patio or driveway. But if you want to keep your outdoor space looking fresh and updated, you should follow our tips and learn how to maintain your pavers.