Concrete pavers can be an excellent way to add more flair to your outdoor spaces. Besides concrete patios, you can use concrete pavers for sidewalks, pool decks, garden pathways, fire pits, and even outdoor kitchens.
However, when you are finished installing concrete pavers on your extension, you might be wondering, do concrete pavers need to be sealed?
Do concrete pavers need to be sealed?
Concrete pavers, also known as paving stones, are a popular option for outdoor flooring. They are manufactured using the concrete mix to produce a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. In addition, concrete pavers are mostly installed above compacted soil and sand foundation.
When concrete pavers are installed, you will have two options: keep it as it is; or coats it with pavers sealing. Keep in mind that you don’t absolutely need to seal your concrete pavers. However, doing so will make your outdoor pavers look better and last longer.
Pros and cons of sealing pavers
As previously mentioned, sealing your outdoor pavers can provide several advantages. For instance, if you have colored pavers, sealing them can protect the colors from fading due to the sun.
On top of that, it can give your floor a beautiful glossy finish. In addition, giving your pavers proper sealing can prevent moss and mold from growing on them. As a result, your pavement will be more durable.
On the other hand, despite already being sealed, your pavement still requires some maintenance in the form of regular resealing. Other than being a bit tedious, resealing can be a bit costly. Lastly, if the process is not done professionally, resealing can be harmful to surround plants.
When to seal pavers after installation?
It has already been established that you don’t absolutely need to seal your concrete pavers after installation. However, this may not stop you from sealing your freshly installed pavers. As a rule of thumb, you need to wait for 60-90 days after the installation process.
The main reason to wait is so that the naturally occurring white dust build-up, also known as efflorescence, can escape from the paving stones. So, the more pavers get wet, the quicker this process happens. Therefore, the waiting period is highly dependent on the weather.
How to seal concrete pavers
If you wish to seal your pavers yourself, make sure that you follow the right instruction on how to do it. In general, the steps to seal concrete pavers are:
- Pick a sunny day to prevent your freshly sealed pavers from rain damage.
- Clean the surface of the pavers using a broom or leaf blower.
- Remove any weeds that usually grow between pavers.
- Apply the pavers sealer with a low-pressure sprayer. In doing so, make sure to cover the entire surface of the patio/ driveway.
- Use a squeegee to direct the seals into the pavers’ joint.
- For the best result, keep off the pavers for 24 hours to let the sealer fully dry.
So, we can conclude that concrete pavers don’t need to be sealed. However, sealing your new pavers will provide several advantages. So, be sure to know the right method to seal your concrete pavers.