Sealing Pavers: Pros, Cons, and Whether You Need It

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. 

Pros and Cons of Sealing Pavers

In addition to protecting your pavers from absorbing stains, there are several other benefits to sealing pavers, as well as a few cons. 

Pros of Sealing Pavers

• 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

Cons of Sealing 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 

Do Pavers Need to Be Sealed? 

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. 

Should All Pavers Be Sealed?

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. 

How to Prepare Pavers for Sealant

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.

What Kind of Paver Sealant Should I Use?

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. 

How Long Should Pavers Dry Before Sealing?

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. 

What Are the Best Time and Weather Conditions for Sealing Pavers?

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. 

How Often Should Paver Sealer Be Reapplied?

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. 

Should I Hire a Professional to Seal My Pavers? 

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.