Paver Maintenance in SW Florida
Pavers are great for giving your patio or entrance that rugged, rocky feel that goes well with greenery and the like. But given that the spaces between individual pieces attract all kinds of dirt, and that they may be spending all day in the heat and all night in the cold, they understandably undergo a lot of wear and tear.
If left unprotected, rainwater and groundwater can seep into the gaps and erode your base. Worse yet, in colder climates, that seeped water cools and expands at night, which can eventually crack your porous paver, or cause it to shift, widening the gap. Whether you’re using natural stone, brick, or concrete, all of them can absorb water and stain. If left in the sun they can even fade and lose their color.
Sealing Pavers Prolongs Life of Brick
By sealing your pavers you basically help prolong the life of the material they’re made from. Sealant prevents your pavers from absorbing or letting through water, and it also prevents them from losing their color. Concrete tends to lose its color overtime due to the UV rays present in sunlight. The sealant protects the stone or concrete from these UV rays, and also gives your pavers a nice shine. It blocks the tiny holes in the stone or rock face that allow water and impurities to seep into the stone, meaning your pavers won’t stain, even if they see a lot of traction or cars.
Sealing your pavers also helps deal with issues stemming from the gaps between individual stones. This keeps your pavers firmly in place and also prevents seepage through these spaces. The spaces themselves can get very tedious to clean, so you’re better off being proactive if your pavers see a lot of foot traffic.
Sunny Florida Weather and Pavers
If you’re in sunny Florida, congratulations, you don’t need to worry about sealing your pavers too often, but as a rule of thumb, you should always apply a fresh coat of sealant at least every 3 – 5 years. If your pavers are not out in the sun, and they see a lot of moisture in the dark, this can make them a target for mold, moss and weeds. Weeds especially may take root within the spaces between your pavers and widen their gaps, ruining the overall aesthetic of your paver patio or entrance, while also compromising the stone’s integrity.
One last thing to be mindful of is the amount of regular moisture your pavers see. A good example to consider is the pavers you might have in the area surrounding your swimming pool. Since some sealants can help increase grit, a fresh coat could mean the difference between you being able to walk with confidence, or falling flat on your face.
While these are general-purpose tips, your unique situation might introduce other variables that we haven’t covered here. Consult your local landscaper, or give Brick Paver Sealing a call.
