What is the best sealer to seal my pavers?



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Protective paver sealer repels water, dirt and stains while making routine maintenance easier than ever!

 

One of the number one issues with pavers is not using the right sealer for your pavers. With so many different types and finishes of sealers on the market, it can often be difficult deciding which is the best sealer for your project. Ultimately, it really comes down to one question, solvent or water based sealer? After 10 years in the industry, Paver Wash are the experts on the best paver cleaners and paver sealers for your project. So the answer is simple: water based with your selected gloss finish.

Many solvent based sealers contain harsh ingredients known as VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) that not only produce strong odor during installation, but can also cause extreme damage to plants, clothing and equipment which is quite often unrepairable. Water-based sealers are not only better for your health and the environment, but are also easier and faster to work with.

“At PaverWash, we want nothing but the best for all of our customers, which is why we choose to work with some of the top names in the industry, such as Alliance Gator and BP Pro.”

 

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With solvent based sealers, there are many limitations that can delay project completion such as moisture and low temperatures that are not an issue when working with water-based sealers. Compared to solvent based, water-based sealers are also much more user-friendly, making it easier to avoid over sealing your pavers which can result in peeling, staining and permanent damage to your pavers. Once installation is complete, water-based paver sealers are a breeze to clean up quickly. This cuts down on project time and allows you to enjoy your beautiful, newly restored pavers that much sooner!

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Paver sealer not only stabilizes your paver system, but also enhances paver color and texture and is available in different finishes.

At Paver Wash, we want nothing but the best for all of our customers, which is why we choose to work with some of the top names in the industry, such as Alliance Gator and BP Pro. Although there are several top sealer companies around, we choose only to work with companies that provide nothing less than amazing customer service. Both Alliance and BP Pro are known not only for their high quality products that produce the highest quality results, but for offering outstanding support for our customers over the last 10 years.

“We pride ourselves in knowing we use only the best, environmentally friendly, water-based sealers in your home.”

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Driveway paver project in the process of sealer application

We pride ourselves in knowing we use only the best, environmentally friendly, water-based sealers in your home. Every sealer we use contains specialized joint stabilizing agents that not only ensure optimal stability, but are also available in a wide array of different finishes. Choose between styles such natural, enhanced, low gloss and high gloss to give you customisable results that will help your home stand out from the rest.

What kind of joint Sand is Best for my Pavers?



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We use premium joint sand to refill paver joints to improve stability and further protect your paver system.

What is Polymeric Sand?

Polymeric sand is a mixture of premium sand and polymeric powder and when activated with water, it hardens and binds to the pavers, strengthening and creating optimal stability throughout your entire paver system.

What is joint sand?

Joint sand is installed in between each paver stone and is a vital part of the interlocking paver system. Paver joint sand provides stability to keep the stones from shifting under pressure, prevents water from seeping underneath your pavers, helps to prevent weed growth and blocks out pests and insects. It is crucial to ensure that joint sand is filled as needed to keep your pavers in place and looking their best.

What is stabilizing sealer?

Stabilizing sealer is a special protective spray that contains the same stabilizing features as polymeric sand, but in a liquid form. When stabilizing paver sealer comes in contact with sand, it hardens and strengthens the pavers joint, just like polymeric sand.

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It is always best to further protect your paver joints with a layer of protective sealer to harden the joint sand and bind with the pavers.

Brand New Pavers Installation: Recommend – Polymeric Sand

Polymeric sand is such a great tool and vital resource when it comes to installing new pavers due to its ability to harden and create strong joints.
Once the pavers have been carefully arranged, about 1 1/2” layer of polymeric sand is added in between each stone and activated with water to further solidify and stabilize your paver system. It is crucial that the polymeric sand is installed up to 1/8” below the paver’s chamfer (polymeric sand must never be the same height as the stone itself).

Any loose polymeric sand that remains on the surface should be blown away with the proper equipment such as a leaf blower and activated with water to initiate the solidifying process (“wet setting”). Water will then activate the cement particles and polymers in the polymeric sand which binds each paver stone together and hardens the joints.

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This image shows excess joint sand in between paver stones and is often a result from poor application.

Restoration and Maintenance of Existing Pavers: Recommend – Premium Joint Sand

Premium joint sand is the best choice with it comes to refilling and restoring your missing paver joint sand. Compared to polymeric sand, premium joint sand takes less absorption and drying time which makes the restoration process faster and more efficient. Premium joint sand is also more finely milled and is available by the bag. This allow for more control over the amount poured when the joints are being filled.

If you are looking to fill up missing joint sand in between your pavers, then premium joint sand paired with a spray stabilizer sealer will be the best choice.When spraying the sealer on top of your pavers, we deliberately wet the joint areas and allow the special sealer that includes stabilizer polymerics to penetrate the new joint sand. The sealer liquid will penetrate into the sand and when dried, the sand becomes hard and binds to the pavers and preexisting joint sand (if relevant). This process will not work with polymeric sand as the polymeric sand manufacturers recommend at least 1 ½” of thickness which is not always available in most pavers restoration. By using premium joint sand to refill your pavers joints, you can save time and money while making the bond between your old sand and new sand stronger and longer lasting.

6 Tips To Avoid Pavers Sealer Disaster



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Sealers make maintenance easier, adding an extra layer of protection to help prevent serious stains.

1. Choosing The Right Sealer For Your Project

The number one issue when it comes to paver sealer goes wrong is not using the right sealer for your pavers. There are many different types of sealers on the market and most are not design for pavers. Buying your own sealer in local hardware stores such as Lowes or Home Depot to seal your pavers is not a good idea and can often result in irreparable damage. Paver Wash uses top of the line sealers from the BEST sealer manufacturers in America, Alliance Gator and BP Pro.

2. Shelf Life

Many contractors who do not use sealer regularly are often working with expired sealer. As paver sealer nears it’s shelf life, the performance of the sealer decreases as well. Even the best sealers on the market such as Alliance Gator and BP Pro have a shelf life of 12 to 18 months, if it is stored in a cool area and out of direct sunlight.

3. Application

Applying paver sealer is like an art. The beauty and finished look of your paver sealer is determined by so many factors, all of which must be executed precisely. These factors range from operator consistency, the performance of the spraying equipment, the type of sprayer tip, the amount of gallons per minute and many more. Unless you are someone who is sealing pavers on a daily basis, sealing pavers is not the job for you. For the best results and the most cost-effective and efficient process, your pavers should only be sealed by the paver experts.

This image shows how poor sealer application can create uneven consistency on the surface of your pavers.

4. Too Much Sealer

One very common problem when it comes to sealing pavers is over application. When applying paver sealer, you must always be sure to remove any excess sealer on the pavers. Whenever there is a puddle of sealer on the pavers, this will result in white bubbles or milky, white stains once the sealer as dried. These bubbles and stains can quite often be irreparable or if so, the cost of the repair will be very expensive. Aside from stains and blemishes, if sealer is over-applied, the inconsistency will be very noticeable. You will see overlapping lines on your pavers, variations in color and even different finishes.

5. Curing Time

Many inexperienced contractors forget to tell their customers to turn off automatic water sprinklers for at least 24 hours after sealer has been applied. Customers must also allow at least a 24-48 hours of dry weather after sealer has been applied.If the sealer is not cured correctly, water can cause white marks or stains on your pavers and can even be trapped beneath the layer of sealer. It is very important not to walk or drive on sealed pavers at least 24-48 hours after application.

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A protective sealer enhances the natural color and beauty of your pavers.

6. Temperature

Paver sealer should only be applied when paver temperature is between 40 to 75 degrees fahrenheit. Paver temperature can be controlled with water, however it takes an experienced professional to use this technique as it takes the utmost expertise to perform correctly. As with other sealing errors, if sealer is applied to pavers that are too hot, your pavers will be become stained, experience flashing from uneven application and may often start to peel and age prematurely resulting in expensive repair costs.