Paver Cleaning & Sealing

What's the difference?

In short, it is the process of Cleaning, Sanding & Sealing your Paver system. Let's discuss a few topics. 

In Miami, FL. we live in a tropical environment that besides the beautiful days to enjoy great weather, we also live with humidity. This creates an environment that promotes the growth of Mold, Algae, Mildew & other organic contaminates. The same conditions create the opportunity for failing Decorative Paver Stone Sealers because of the strength of UV Rays. If that was not enough,  the white or light grey powder (efflorescence) looking stains on your decorative can also  be exacerbated by certain paver sealers locking in the moisture beneath the pavers by not allowing the paver stone to breathe.  Now add rapid weed growth, hard water stains from the sprinkler systems in many cases & things like paver sinking due to many factors the main one being unproperly sealed joints that allow for the sub-base to move around during these heavy rain days and now we have even more reasons to protect your investment in Decorative Paver Driveways & Pool Decks. 

With all of that being said; it is still possible to enjoy beautiful hardscapes year round with the correct maintenance plan. 

What goes into the Paver Restoration process you ask? The answer is it depends. Not every scenario is the same but as a general rule they all involve specialized cleaning to address the above mentioned, in some cases adding sand to the joints may be required and in every case the application of either a Solvent Based, Water Based Paver Sealer or other commercial grade sealer is required.

Let's look at the process a little closer.     

CLEANING 

* Paver Restoration vs Sealing

What is the difference? Restoration involves a more extensive process which can include, Stripping away old failed sealer, the removal of joint sand and its reapplication; along with applying a sealer to protect the system going forward. Optional items such as  repairing sunken pavers, tinting the old faded pavers are also things that can add to the scope of work. 

VS.

Sealing Paver systems. As a alternative some owners opt for professional cleaning and the application of the sealer for both protection and aesthetic reasons. Depending on the paver conditions, Restoration may Not be necessary. Factors that can affect the decision can include things like Age of the Pavers, Loss of Pigmentation due to UV rays, loss of Paver Stability causing the Pavers to shift and the gaps to widen with the weight of vehicle use & other outside motivations such as the preparation of  a property for sale and their desire to present it in the best condition possible.

*  Efflorescence - WHAT IS IT?  In chemistry, efflorescence (which roughly means "the flowering" in French) is the migration of a salt to the surface of a porous material, where it forms a coating. The essential process involves the dissolving of an internally held salt in water or occasionally, in another solvent. The water, with the salt now held in solution, migrates to the surface, then evaporates, leaving a coating of the salt. (source  Wikipedia)

  While we are not going too deep into the explanation of efflorescence what we will say is that it can be both naturally occurring and part of built environments. This can be mitigated with proper maintenance methods.  

* Rust Stains

Hard Water Rust/Oxidation stains on Paver can be unsightly. In many cases these stains can be cleaned by treating them with different chemicals. 

Why treat them? One word, Aesthetics. We have found that despite the possible deterioration of the pavers, most property owners elect to have these stains treated because it detracts from the beauty of the paver system. 

* Organic Contaminates 

Possibly the largest reason to call a professional paver sealing company. Mold, Mildew, Algae and countless other organic contaminates are usually the reason property owners wish to have their Pavers cleaned and sealed. The presence of Paver Sealer(s) makes it difficult for these contaminates to grow and at a minimum reduce the speed of which they do therefore keeping the pavers looking good longer. One of the requirements for their growth is the presence of sitting water and with the help of these sealers it becomes more challenging because of their water repelling properties.  

Not only are  these contaminates not safe for many reasons they can potentially cause slip and fall accidents, they are ugly, they weaken the integrity of the pavers and provide zero benefit to the longevity of the paver system.  

Does Sealing eliminate them from growing? 

No, but sealing does create a better environment for the reduction of contaminate growth. As a general rule, even if your pavers are sealed, you should consider employing a regular maintenance system in order to protect your pavers.

* Oil, Grease & Food Stains

In the case of such stains on your Paver Driveway, Patio and/or Pool Deck; specialty cleaning agents can be used to reduce and in many cases eliminate them from the surfaces. Contrary to opinion, all stains cannot be removed. The use of Hot Water and commercial specially formulated cleaning products do help make the pavers cleaner but cannot guarantee the removal in their entirety. 

This should always be considered as part of any Paver Restoration or regularly scheduled cleaning before sealing. 

PAVER JOINT STABILIZATION

* Sand 

This is yet another area where opinions differ greatly. While it may be impossible to say what is best when it comes to Joint Sand, the consensus is that it should be chosen with care. Polymeric sand, Silica Sand,  Mason Sand, Resin Coated Sand & Concrete Sand are just a few of the popular options available. 

Why is it Important? 

Not all sands are Joint stabilizing nor are all sealers compatible for maximum joint stabilization. One of the factors affecting us in Florida is the fact that we live on a high water table that emits moisture and this plays a role in the overall durability of the installation.    

SEALER TYPES 

Impregnating  vs Topical

When it comes to professional Paver & Natural Stone Sealing there are many school of thoughts, the most common point of disagreement stems from the Benefits or lack there of regarding UV Ray protection. In our opinion, we feel that it is a valid concern & as such it should be discussed and decided by the client. Ultimately, there benefits on both sides of the debate. 

For example, some applicators favor  Impregnating (Penetrating) Sealers due to the benefit of once applied, the need to strip off during future maintenance is completely non-existent. Therefore, the property owner can potentially save money by avoiding the expense of professional stripping agents, as well as the labor cost for removal. Additionally, Penetrating sealers are easier when it comes to maintenance as they can be reapplied without applying additional layers of sealer that require removal therefore prolonging the life of the stone. While this may be true, others argue that they lack adequate UV Ray Protection which is the main reason for sealing to begin with. One could say that of all of the factors that could cause damage to concrete paver & natural stone paver systems is harsh UV conditions. Which is also very true. 

Questions are? 

*What does the future maintenance plan consist of?   

*Are the owners willing to re-invest in a full restoration in 3-5 years?

*Is it a better financial decision to maintain the Paver System with scheduled cleanings, add sand & sealer applications as needed ?

*Does the property owner even care? They might be selling the home and are only concerned with the immediate outcome. 

In the end, what is important is that the property owners are  properly informed of their options and they are afforded the opportunity to decide what is best for them.

Other FAQ'S

* How often do you have to seal your pavers? Barring any unforeseen extreme weather, you should expect to seal your pavers every 3 to 5 years when part of a regular maintenance program.  

*Are weeds in the pavers gone forever? No, prior to sealing the owner can elect to have them removed but during a Paver Restoration they are removed as part of the process. 

* Why are the Pavers fading? Loss of pigmentation due to UV Ray exposure. 

* Will the Pavers look New once restored? While one of our goals for every project is Substantial Aesthetic Improvement, age and condition play a major role. In the event the opportunity to Tint/Add color is an option we will discuss with the owner prior to commencing the correction.