After finishing the paver patio of your dreams with the perfect design pattern and the exact colors you envisioned, the next step will be getting your pavers sealed. The decision on whether to seal or not to seal pavers attracts a lot of debate. While it may not seem like that big of a deal, getting pavers sealed will save you a lot of money in paver restoration. But what factors should you keep in mind when deciding on whether to seal or not to seal your pavers? In this post we will be taking a look at the pros and cons of getting pavers sealed.
Before Sealing
The first thing you must do is determine if you can seal the pavers. While sealing is always recommended because it is the safest way to protect your money and time, you cannot use just any sealer. To avoid expensive paver restoration in the future, you have to select the right sealer for the job. Do you need penetrating sealer or wet look sealer?
Penetrating sealers add a protective coat around the pavers without altering the aesthetics. The wet look sealers, on the other hand, add a shiny finishing touch and can alter the general feel and color of the pavers. The type of sealer you use will depend on the look you want and where the pavers are located. For example, you want to avoid the wet look sealers on pavers located near a pool in order to avoid slippage. An experienced paver can help you know which type of sealer to use for your specific project.
Pros of Sealing Pavers
- Appearance change
The best thing about getting your pavers sealed is that you will be able to keep the amazing look of your pavers for longer. Sealing protects pavers from the damage effects of sunrays and other elements. This means your pavers will not discolor. The shiny look that comes with sealing further improves aesthetics.
- Added protection
In addition to protecting pavers from the elements, getting pavers sealed further protects against man-made stains such as work accidents and spills. Your pavers will be protected from acid rain, snow, freeze-thaw and other damaging environmental factors.
- Easy maintenance
Getting pavers sealed improves drainage on the patio. This is because water will not be absorbed into the pavers. There are also no cracks between the pavers. This eliminates the issue of water pooling and the growth of weeds. Your drainage will work better when your pavers are sealed.
Cons of sealing Pavers
Getting your pavers sealed is not without some cons. The main ones are it is expensive to get pavers sealed, poor sealing techniques can contaminate nearby plants and sealers have to be applied every year.
All things considered, sealing offers more benefits more so if you want to avoid expensive paver restoration. The rule of thumb, however, is that you must hire a competent paver to help with sealing.
