Sealing pavers is essential in Perth’s harsh climate. But not all sealers are created equal, and not all applications are going to give you the seamless finish you want.
If you’re on the fence about whether you need to seal, what to use, or whether to go for a professional sealing service instead – we’ve covered all the essentials in this guide.
Why seal your pavers at all?
Pavers are porous, though the level of porosity will vary depending what material they are made from; for example, limestone will be more porous than concrete, and . Regardless, these tiny pores in the stone are perfect for catching dirt and grime – which means homeowners need to take steps to keep them clean and hygienic.
Additionally, pavers left unprotected in the elements can start to wear away. We tend to see this most obviously in areas where there is uneven shade or protection, like if the roof extends over part of a courtyard but not all of it.
When you seal pavers, there are two main benefits:
- Restoring the natural beauty of your stone pavers.
- Helping protect the surface against spills, mould, lichen, and general wear and tear from UV rays, rain, and traffic over time.
Because sealing is so important to the look and longevity of your pavers, special consideration also needs to be given to the sealer formulation and application. You’ve made the investment to have beautiful pavers in the first place – now you need comprehensive protection from a high quality sealer.
Click the following link for a deep dive on why paving sealant is necessary.
Does the type of sealer matter?
It absolutely matters. The type of sealer you choose needs to be suitable for the paver material, and able to hold up to whatever the area is used for.
Water based vs solvent-based acrylic sealers
Technically speaking all sealers are solvent based. As far as categorising the types goes, the industry has split them into:
- Water-based solvent sealers, which protect from the inside out. These are lower odour, more environmentally friendly, and can be applied on wet surfaces for a quicker turn-around after the pre-sealing pressure clean. These penetrating sealers get deep into the paver stones to build up stain resistance and grip.
- Solvent-based sealers, which form a layer on top of the surface only. These are more accurately called oil-based solvent sealers, but “solvent” is typically used as the shorthand. These can only be applied when the surface is completely dry. They do tend to have a more high gloss finish if that look is important to you, though this may not be suitable for high foot traffic areas where durability and non-slip properties are more important.
Note: Old-school solvent based paver sealants are considered more hazardous to work with because of the chemicals they use. These harmful fumes can be a risk to yourself, plus any pets and children while curing. It’s best to only use these in well-ventilated outdoor areas, with the right PPE – if you’re looking to do this yourself, be sure to go strictly by the manufacturer’s instructions for safety.
Related: What Sealer Should I Use?
How cheap paver sealers might cost you more
Cheap sealers may look ok to start with. However, they tend to create a non-breathable layer over paver surfaces. This can cause the sealer to fail – so you have to redo the job sooner, and potentially fix other issues caused by inadequate sealer protection.
Breathability is important because it gives water somewhere to go. When water (from rain or rising damp) comes to the surface of the otherwise permeable pavers, it needs to be able to get out. Otherwise, it gets trapped in the paver. This can cause discolouration and eventually delamination. In natural stone it can also create unsightly salt deposits under the surface of the paver sealer.
With water-based sealers and new technology solvents, moisture in the paver can be released naturally as water vapour. This prevents the damage to both the sealer and to the pavers themselves.
Beyond that, many lower quality sealers simply do not apply as well – and aren’t DIY-friendly because of it. Poorly applied sealer can mean an uneven finish, peeling, and a failure to protect your pavers. Not something you want if you’re trying to enhance your home’s curb appeal!
Related: Caring for Sealed Surfaces
What are the best paver sealers?
Quality matters when it comes to selecting sealers for beauty, longevity, and achieving the desired finish. For that reason, Mr Blastit uses either Pro Seal or Guard Industry sealers to bring out the best in your stone pavers.
Pro Seal Water-Based Sealers
These paver sealers are perfect for:
- Concrete pavers
- Porous pavers like limestone, clay pavers
- Honed aggregate
- Exposed aggregate
- Coloured concrete
We use Pro Seal 896 most commonly, as this is a hugely versatile paving sealer. The acrylic co-polymers are tightly cross-linked in this formula, which allows for maximum protection from stains, spills and other contaminants. It’s also water-permeable, which helps to ensure long-lasting performance.
Other sealers from the Pro Seal range are also excellent as specialised stone treatments, such as Pro Seal 770 as a base to reduce porosity on coarse stone, and Pro Seal 898 on dense stone or for a glossier final coat.
Guard Industry (for premium surfaces)
To bring out the inherent beauty in natural stone like travertine, marble, granite, or in new homes with other premium masonry surfaces, we use Guard Industry products. These are penetrating paver sealers that can enhance your stone and protect it, without leaving a visible layer on top.
They are high performance and look fantastic – we call Guard Industry ProtectGuard WF Premium the ‘Rolls Royce’ of sealers for a reason. This breathable paver sealer has a wet-look finish that richly enhances the colour of the paver material. It’s highly versatile and can be used on any stone surface without risk of delamination, blistering or peeling.
ProtectGuard WF Premium also provides a better grip underfoot, making it perfect for family homes in Perth – such as around pool areas, where extra traction on slippery stone will always be a good idea.
Why choose professional sealing for pavers?
Using a professional sealing service is a lot easier than researching, buying supplies, and doing the job yourself. Sealing your pavers properly also involves first cleaning your pavers and removing any previous sealant; this is much easier for a trade professional to do with a pressure cleaner.
Professionals use tried and true, industry-leading sealers from trusted brands – their work is their reputation, so they know exactly what to use to get a result clients will rave about.
If you want your pavers to look great and stay that way, consider going straight to the professionals for the best products and application.
The importance of using Certified Applicators
Certified applicators know everything about the product: How it works with different stone, how application might be affected by certain conditions, and best practice to keep it pristine for as long as possible between applications.
Mr Blastit is a certified applicator for Water Based Sealer Pro Seal and Guard Industry products. We use the best sealers – and make sure we’re highly skilled and trained to do so – in order to provide the best paver sealing service for your home.
Related: How to Clean Aggregate Concrete
Experience the Mr Blastit Difference
Mr Blastit is a fully insured, family-owned and operated small business delivering services across Perth metro. areas, plus Pinjarra and Mandurah. We have the thorough understanding, training and experience to get any paver sealing job done right – with minimal disruption to your daily life.
Sealing your pavers doesn’t have to be a big deal. You can trust Mr Blastit to provide highest quality services and a result you’ll love. Call 0419 350 332 or email us today for a free, no obligation quote.
