Paver patios are external fixtures that adjoin your home for the purpose of recreation, entertainment or beautification. Depending on your personal preferences and taste these pavers can be made out of either stones, bricks or concrete with each material giving your hardscape a contemporary, modern or traditional look.
Paver patios need to be maintained regularly as they lose their luster and shine over the course of use due to certain environmental and man-made features. This maintenance helps to restore it back to its original nature and giving your pavement a more refined and sophisticated look.
What is a water sealant?
A water sealant also referred to as a water-based sealer, is a formula that is soluble in water. When a water sealant is applied to the paver surface, it does not produce a continuous film.
After application, water sealants will stabilize to give your paver a fresh wet like & glossy while at the same time cause the sand in between the joints or weak spot to harden and become stronger. This will keep the sand intact and prevent it from being loosened easily by any of the factors mentioned earlier.
Why do you need a water sealant?
Paver patios like all other man-made fixtures for your exterior is that they become worn out with use. Over time they begin to fade and lose their origins shine and beauty. Luckily, there are effective solutions and preventive measures for this type of unpleasant situation.
There are some factors that cause these problems such as;
The ultraviolet rays and heat from the sun can make certain components such as the color to become weakened and start to fade. Erosion from rainfall or the intermittent freezing and melting of snowflakes washes out the sand from within the brick joints which can cause the bricks to become loosened and unequal.
Droplets of sap from ornamental trees and plants that drop and stain the outer surfaces.
Also, the use of wrong cleaning practices using the wrong equipment and products to remove stubborn spills, oils, greases from parties or social gatherings can alter and reverse the original glow and beauty of your brick pavers.
If the above problems are ignored and left unattended to, the state of your paver patio will deteriorate further and worsen because the flow of water from rainfall and melting snowflakes will wash the sand in between the brick joints out, making it an open space for weed growth, clear entry for insects to make camp and moving of the brick pavers from their original set position.
Brick sealing with water sealant will be the best-recommended solution in fixing and preventing this unpleasant scenario. Therefore, you need to use the best sealer coating available to protect your sitting wall, driveways, walkways or decks.
If you have a concrete driveway, then you need to pick the best concrete sealer for your concrete driveway, walkway, edging, etc. Concrete sealing can help to;
• Maintain your concrete hardscape
• Prevent excess water absorption which takes dirt and tiny particles on the top surface into tiny pores within the concrete to compromise it.
• Increase the concrete hardscape’s lifetime.
• Make your exterior concrete surfaces much easier to clean.
How to use a water sealant
It is a little bit technical when it comes to sealing a paver but when you experienced in sealing pavers and also equipped with the right equipment such as a sprayer, rollers, etc, Including the necessary wet look sealer for pavers then you are good to go.
If you do not have the necessary skill or technical know-how on how to seal pavers, then it would be a good idea to contact an expert or hire the services of a paver company to come to your site and take care of it for you.
It is important for you to exercise great care and caution during the entire process to prevent any mishaps or incidents.
The steps involved in using a water-based sealer includes;
1. Carefully read the instructions on the water sealant to understand it’s proper use. This is because the water sealer may come in a thick or thin form.
Note:
Water-based sealers with a thick consistency are mostly applied with a roller.
Water-based sealers with a thin consistency should be applied using a sprayer with a specific nozzle.
Some water sealants with a consistency that is neither too thick or thin can be applied using either a roller or sprayer.
2. Wash the pavers with clean water. You need to also pay attention to areas of the surface stained with tire marks, grease or oils. To clean this area, you should use a surface cleaner with mild soap and hot water.
If you should seal the paver without proper cleaning, you will to be trap in dirt and minute debris into the pavers.
Closely packed pavers can be washed using a power washer. Pavers with sand in between their joints should not be washed using a hose with high pressure as it forces the sand out and makes it a point of weakness.
Pavers on the driveway may be stained with grease and tire marks, therefore, they should be washed thoroughly to remove the stains.
Pavers with a smooth surface that does not get easily stained can be washed lightly.
3. Fill your sprayer with the required amount of water sealant. To apply, move the nozzle in a circular manner, this way you get to cover more area faster. If you are using a roller, dip it gently until the entire roller head is covered with sealant and then apply in the most convenient motion.
Be sure to take note of areas you have sealed in order not to end up spraying or applying too much sealer which will take a longer period of time to dry.
4. When you are done sealing the entire area, be sure to wash your roller or sprayer with flowing water and hand gloves. Store the remaining water sealant and equipment properly.
Advantages of water sealants
There are numerous benefits of using a water-based sealer. Some of these benefits include;
1. Water sealants have an easy flow which allows for increased penetration into the joint sands.
2. Water sealants can cover a wider area of the paver.
3. Water sealants do not make your pavers to be too darken or overly too shiny, it gives it the right amount of gloss.
4. Water sealants strengthens the hold within joint sands and prevent weed growth or infestation by insects such as ants.
Disadvantages of water sealants
1. Water-based sealants need to be double-coated over the surface area making it time-consuming and stressful.
