Sealing your paver walkway or patio is a good way to protect your investment. It saves you from a great deal of hassle in the long run. However, before you do there is list of things that you must be aware of. Complete knowledge of certain factors will help you seal your pavers effectively.
Here are some things you need to do before sealing your pavers.
Know the Specs
Before you pay a visit to the local landscape supply store, spare some time to read the manufacturer’s instructions. It will help you understand the spec of the pavers and how to seal them. Furthermore, it will also give you an idea of what sealing products are safe to be used on your pavers. It will also inform you about the amount of time you must wait before sealing the pavers.
Consider the Weather
To begin with, the sealer must be applied to the pavers when they are completely dry. Keep a close eye on the rain and weather forecast. Make sure that it won’t rain at least 24 hours prior to applying the sealer. Furthermore, you should also avoid carrying out a project on days with extreme temperatures. It is alright if it is a sunny day but the temperature must be favorable. Something around 30 to 35 degrees is perfect for applying a sealer. Also, there must be no rain at least for 24 hours after the sealer has been applied.
Clean
Any reasonable person simply cannot seal his pavers before cleaning them. It is of vital importance to get rid of any stains on the pavers before sealing them. Not only is it important to remove the stains off your pavers but you also need to worry about efflorescence and take care of it before applying the sealer. This cleaning step, allows the sealer to bond perfectly with the surface of the pavers.
Removal of Contaminated Sand
If you finally decide to seal your pavers, let it be known that there are no shortcuts in the process. The contaminated sand needs to be removed from the joint sand replaced with polymeric sand. If you are replacing the sand, remember that efflorescence must be done after the replacement of sand. The sealing should be done after the efflorescence.
If you want to seal your pavers successfully, the above-mentioned tips will help you on the way.