Sealing your brick pavers is a crucial part of caring for your patio or driveway.  Sealing pavers will help protect them from everyday foot traffic, dirt and debris, and harsh winter weather.

Another benefit of sealing your brick pavers is to deter mold growth as the sealant prevents water from getting into the pores of the brick.

There are even some sealants that will enhance the color of the brick or leave a shiny finish. But, when is the right time to seal your brick pavers?

Wait Awhile After Installation

It is a common misconception that you should seal your patio or driveway immediately after it is installed. But in reality you should wait for 2-3 months to allow time for minor shifting and adjustments after the installation. Otherwise, if you seal too soon, you may end up having to pull up pavers, add more sand and relevel the paver structure.

Plan for the Weather

Heavy snowfall, extreme cold, ice that thaws and then refreezes – Michigan winters can be tough on your brick pavers. For this reason, you should seal your paver surface before winter weather hits. But what if you just installed your patio or driveway in the fall? In this particular case, you would not want to wait the whole 3 months before sealing, as stated earlier.

Weather related sinking and cracking is a much costlier repair than re-leveling a few sealed bricks. So go ahead and seal to protect your pavers from the winter weather even if your patio was installed a few weeks ago.

With that being said, the best time of year to install pavers would be spring or summer. This will allow you enough time to give your driveway or patio time to settle and still seal it before winter hits.

Clean Thoroughly Before Sealing

Before you apply sealant, you will want to remove any existing dirt and grime. Thoroughly clean your pavers with a power washer if possible. If you skip the cleaning process, any dirt or stains will be sealed in.

There are some stain removers available for specific stains such as rust and oil. Consult with a Rochester brick paver professional for more information on the best products.

Once you’ve cleaned your pavers, and they have dried completely, then apply a sealant to ensure that your paver surface stays clean and stain free for as long as possible.

You will want to clean and reseal your brick paver surfaces at least every 24 months.  When resealing your pavers, you will need to use a stripper to remove the old product before applying the new sealant.

I Need Brick Paver Maintenance in Rochester, Michigan

We hope you liked this article and learned something from it.  If you would prefer to have a professional brick paver maintenance company apply your sealant, or if you have any questions about paver maintenance, contact JJW Brick at 1-800-BRICK-PAVERS.