How to Seal a Paver Driveway: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Driveway conditions can often cause headaches for homeowners. Your paver driveway can get stains, fading, and erosion from usage or weather conditions. This puts blemishes on your otherwise perfectly neat driveway.

Sealing is an excellent solution for this damage. It can protect your paver driveway against heavy usage and environmental factors. It is also a simple process, meaning that you can manage it easily with proper guidance and the right set of tools.

In this blog, we will guide you step by step on how to seal paver driveways. As it’s important to know, we’ll also discuss paver sealers, when you should do the sealing and the benefits of this process. Read on to learn how you can ensure the wellbeing of your beautiful driveway!

What Is a Paver Sealer?

Let us start by exploring paver sealers. A paver sealer is a protective coating that is applied to paver surfaces to preserve perfect conditions. Sealers help to lock in color, prevent staining, and protect against UV rays and water damage. You can seal pavers to protect the surface of many outdoor spaces, such as driveways, walkways, patios, and pool decks.

Paver sealers can be of two primary types: penetrating and film-forming. Both types can be water-based sealers or solvent-based sealers.

Penetrating Sealers

Penetrating sealers form a protective barrier on the surface of the pavers without altering the appearance, texture, or tread. When applied, it soaks into pores and blocks them from absorbing water, oil, dirt, and other impurities that break down the concrete.

This type of sealer can last for years with little maintenance if applied correctly. It provides a natural and matte finish. However, you can also find something that gives your paving stones a semi-glossy look.

Film-forming Sealers

Film-forming sealers protect the surface of your outdoor space from moisture and wear and tear. When applied, it creates a protective film that repels impurities to preserve your driveway health.

This type of sealer is also known as a topical or surface sealer. It is versatile for aesthetics and can provide either a glossy or matte finish. It also provides long-term protection against moisture, UV rays, and temperature fluctuations.

Film-forming sealers are good choices for driveways. These sealers provide a good mix of durability, affordability, and versatility.

Should You Seal Your Pavers?

Simply put - yes, you should. Applying a sealer protects your driveway against damage from usage and climate conditions. It extends the lifespan of your driveway, enhances appearance, and makes cleaning easier.

You could skip sealing driveways if you live in a low-traffic area. Since your driveway is unlikely to see heavy usage, it can last longer without sealing.

When Should Pavers Be Sealed?

After you install pavers, you should wait for 1-3 months before sealing. This is because powdery white calcium salts can form on the concrete surface. Waiting allows this efflorescence to escape.

It is better not to wait for longer than 3 months, as external elements can wash away the joint sand that holds the pavers in place.

You can also reapply sealants every 3-5 years, depending on the level of wear and tear. This keeps your driveway in top shape for continued usage.

Spring or early fall are ideal seasons for sealing pavers. Temperatures are moderate during these seasons, and weather conditions are also favorable.

Things to Consider When Sealing Different Types of Pavers

Different paving materials need different types of sealers or sealing processes. For example, the process of sealing concrete may be different from that of brick or natural stone. Let’s examine:

Concrete

Concrete pavers tend to absorb more sealer quantities. It also requires a sealer with a different chemical composition than brick or natural stone sealers. Siliconate-based sealers are generally used to seal concrete driveways. These sealers immediately penetrate the concrete surface and block pores.

Natural Stone

Natural stone pavers are sealed with silane or siloxane organic sealers. These react slowly with the porous stone and penetrate deeper to protect the surface without damaging the aesthetic appeal.

Brick

Penetrating silane or siloxane organic sealers serve brick pavers best. These preserve the breathability and protection of brick. Using these sealers can also enhance the color and appearance of brick pavers.

How to Seal Paver Driveway? Step-by-Step Process

Now that you know about different sealants and their conditions, let us look at how to seal a paver driveway:

1. Prepare the Surface

To start, clean the surface thoroughly. You can sweep or use a leaf blower to remove dirt and other impurities from the surface. You can also use a pressure washer for a deeper cleanse. Pressure washing can help remove stains from the surface. It is better not to use pressure washing on high settings. This can damage the surface and wash out the polymeric sand from joints.

2. Let it Dry

It is extremely important to let the pavers dry out completely before you apply the sealer. This is because moisture can prevent the sealer from sticking to the paver. Without a solid bonding, the sealer can start to peel off and ruin your paver’s appearance and protection.

3. Choose the Right Sealer

You should make sure to choose the right sealer. If you prefer a matte finish, choose a sealer that creates a muted look. If you like glossy finishes, choose one that gives a wet look. You should also check to see if you are using the right type of sealer for your paver material.

4. Application

Make sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions before you start sealing. You may also want to test the sealer on a small area before starting the project.

Once you are ready, start applying your paver sealer when good weather is expected. You should make sure the surface is completely dry. Use a sprayer with an adjustable nozzle head, a foam roller, or a short pile roller to apply the sealant evenly. You can also use a metal sheet along the boundary to prevent over-spraying on adjacent surfaces.

Apply a generous coat of the sealer to the paver surface. Let the sealant penetrate the joints. Allow the initial coat to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Afterward, apply multiple thin coats to ensure you do not miss any spots.

5. Drying Time

When you have completely sealed all the pavers, let the surface dry for at least 24 hours. Most sealants can take vehicle pressure 24 to 36 hours after application. If you want, you can wait for a little longer to ensure better results.

Benefits of Applying Sealant to Seal Pavers

Sealing pavers protects your driveway in a lot of ways, including:

Protection Against the Elements

Sealing offers protection against harmful UV rays. It also protects against damage from rain and other weather events like freeze-thaw cycles.

Prevents Staining

Applying sealants can provide greater stain resistance. Sealers repel oil, grease, and other impurities from staining the surface.

Enhances Color

Sealers can bring out the natural colors of pavers. You can improve your driveway’s color by choosing a glossy finish for a vibrant and wet look. Sealants may also protect against discoloration for many years to come.

Longevity

Sealed pavers have a long lifespan, meaning you can extend the longevity of your driveway by sealing.

Easier Maintenance

Sealing concrete pavers eases maintenance. You can easily wash away dirt and spills to preserve an attractive look for your driveway.

Essential Tips for Paver Maintenance

There are several ways to maintain sealed pavers. You can clean regularly, reapply sand, spot-reseal, and avoid using harmful chemicals to maintain your sealant. 

Regular Cleaning

Cleaning your sealed pavers on a regular basis can maintain longevity and appearance. You can easily sweep away dirt or use a pressure washer to spot-clean spills.

Reapply Sand

If needed, you can reapply sand between the paver joints for better stabilization. This will also prevent weed growth and insect infestations.

Spot-reseal

Areas that see high traffic and usage can sometimes wear down quickly. You can reseal these areas for better durability.

Avoid Harmful Chemicals

Using or spilling harsh chemicals can degrade sealants. To prevent this, avoid using such chemicals on or around your sealed pavers.

How Much Does It Cost to Seal a Paver Driveway?

Sealing a paver driveway can cost differently depending on how you perform the task. DIY-ing the sealing process will cost differently from hiring a professional to do it for you.

DIY

If you decide to DIY the sealing, you will need cleaning supplies, sealers, and tools for your project. Pressure washing can cost you between $100 and $350. An average 500 square foot driveway can need around 5 gallons of sealant, which can total up to $350. Sealing tools can also set you back another $100. This brings the total cost of sealing your paver driveway to around $800 if you do it yourself.

Hiring a Professional

Hiring a professional to seal your driveway pavers saves you the trouble of doing it yourself. Professionals quote prices based on the size and condition of the driveway, type of sealer, paver material, and geographic location.

Considering all factors, professional paver sealing services can cost you around $4 to $10 per square foot on average.

DIY or Hire a Professional?

You should weigh the pros and cons to figure out if you want to seal pavers yourself or hire expert help to do it for you. A DIY project can save you money but could result in poor finishing and a delayed completion time. Professionals can offer expert results and better long-term protection for your driveway.

You should consider all factors before deciding on how you want to seal your driveway. Think about the size, skill required, manual labor, and budget to make a sound decision.

Conclusion

Sealing a paver driveway is an important investment for homeowners. It protects your paver materials, like concrete, from damage to maintain driveway health. Good sealers last for years and offer protection against dirt and stains. It can also create matte or glossy finishes to make your driveway pop with a rich and vibrant look. This increases curb appeal significantly and makes it stand out. Sealing your pavers can even increase your home value with a good return on investment (ROI)!

You can choose to seal your paver driveway yourself or hire professional help. Consider your requirements, weigh the pros and cons, and decide which approach suits you best. This will help you ensure the best sealing possible for your beautiful driveway.

For any queries about paver sealing, contact Outdoor Escapes. We have been providing expert help in the paver industry in Central Florida for 25 years. We understand the importance of a nice and welcoming outdoor space and are committed to providing unparalleled customer service.

Call us at 407.456.7000 for all your paver needs!