As Scott Paul, a renowned exterior paver restoration contractor and entrepreneur, I possess more than three decades of expertise in preserving and safeguarding exterior pavers. You can delve into further details about my identity by reading my complete biography here.
How to Seal Brick Pavers
In this updated article, I will explain how to seal brick paving. If you have encountered any issues, have suggestions, or have questions, please comment below.
Sealing brick pavers is something that a do-it-yourselfer can do with good results. Sealing brick pavers such as a porch, patio, sidewalk, or driveway will benefit the pavers and the entire brick paver area.
The Top Benefits of Sealing Pavers
- Prevents sand erosion
- Reduces weed growth
- Deters ant colony activity
- Blocks U.V. rays that cause fading
- Reduces mold/mildew infiltration
- Increases longevity of pavers
- Enhances brick paver’s natural beauty
My Brick Paver Sealing Tips
Before you dive into brick paver sealing, be sure you plan the project during permitting weather. You will need a minimum of two dry days in a row to complete the project.
Cleaning Brick Pavers
Regarding how to seal brick pavers, the first step is to wash the entire paver area with a pressure washer. You can use a brick or concrete cleaner to help break up dirt, grime, mold, and mildew. Be sure to blast all the old sand joints and weeds away. Always wear safety glasses to protect yourself from flying debris. Wash off all the debris and rinse well so no puddles are left on the bricks. After cleaning, you need at least two days of dry weather before continuing.
Re-Sanding Brick Paver Joints
After the brick pavers have dried for 24 hours, re-sand the joints before sealing. It is best to use polymeric sand that is designed for paver construction. Open a bag of sand and spread it around on the paver surface. Use a push broom to sweep the sand, filling in the cracks. Continue until all the joints are entirely packed with sand. Use a leaf blower to remove any excess sand left on the surface. Mist the pavers with water to help pack the sand and lock in the pavers. Now, let them dry for another day.
Sealing Brick Pavers
In new paver construction, the previous step may have been completed already, and the pavers are now ready to be sealed. Remove any debris with a leaf blower or broom. Choose a high-quality brick paver sealer. Depending on your preference, there are numerous sealer finish choices, from a matte finish to a “wet” look. Apply the brick paver sealer with a good contractor-grade metal pump-up sprayer. Note that an inexpensive plastic sprayer will not work.
Depending on the product, two coats may be necessary. Two coats are required if you use a non-slip additive in your sealer. The paver sealer enhances the natural beauty of the surface. It also solidifies the joint sand to create a weatherproof seal and helps keep weeds down. Sealing pavers is the best way to ensure a long-lasting, beautiful paver surface.
Best Brick Paver Sealer Photos
Start at one end, applying an even coat of paver sealer. Be sure to cover all the bricks and sand joints. It may be necessary to cut the edges with a brush. Once the surface is thoroughly and evenly covered with sealer, rope off the area to keep people and animals off the sealed brick pavers for the next day or two while the sealer cures. Follow the cleanup instructions on the sealer container for cleaning up tools and sprayers.
Sealing your brick pavers every several years will keep them looking new and give you many years of use and enjoyment.
Sealing concrete brick pavers
Sealing brick pavers can be a do-it-yourself project if you feel comfortable, or it can also be hired out. The important matter is that the brick pavers and sand joints are protected from harsh weather conditions, water damage, weed growth, mold/mildew, anthill activity, and sun fading. Sealing brick paver areas and keeping them maintained will ensure prolonged beauty and many years of use.
How To Apply Brick Paver Sealer Easily
The Best Brick Paver Sealers Video
Is it applicable against efflorescence?
No sealer can prevent efflorescence.
Scott, I used Super Seal 30 last spring but still have a half can left! I want to use the remaining sealant as a light brush coating ! It’s been sealed and still looks okay to use! Ok with you?
Probably okay as long as it has the same consistency.
Hi Scott Paul. Not sure you’re still reading this thread but thought I’d give it a try. I want to apply the same process you outlined above to traditional clay bricks with mortar between, used in charming walkways and around my pool in the 70s. Will it work?
Wet look and gloss sealers will not work on clay pavers: https://www.concretesealerreview.com/superseal-m-concrete-water-repellent-review/
Does sealing a brick sidewalk make it more slippery in rain and snow?
No.
what is the sealer made of
Which sealer?
Wby will a plastic sprayer not work?
Too thick to spray.
It will in fact work without issues in my experience, but that will depend on the product I’m sure.
What about making a waterproof seal between the stone pavers and a brick wall to prevent water leaking down to a basement?
It will not work.
I have read that you should wait a year after installing new pavers to help mitigate “efflorescence”. We had a brand new paver patio installed by a very good contractor a week ago and it has seen almost no use at this point. Should I seal it ahead of winter or wait until next Spring/Summer?
Do it in the Spring.
Using a roller to spread the sealer picks up sand leaving some joints without enough sand and sand sealed in the pacer surface.
I tried a new sprayer as well, but the tip clogs up almost right away.
Any suggestions?
You sand is too high. Should be down in joints about a 1/2″ from the paver edge. Use a sponge type roller.
Considering using (leftover) 2-5/8 x 8-5/8 (king) bricks on edge instead of pavers in new walkways construction One site would experience heavy water from roof. Other walkways would have only rain impingement. Would use polymetric sand. SInce these bricks have different density that pavers would this sealer help both brick & sand sealing to minimize water absorption (and buckling in (wet freeze-thaw cycles)???
Not sure as we are unfamiliar with the bricks you mentioned. Post a picture and are they clay or concrete bricks?
🙂
Is sealing effective if applied by roller
Depends on the brand and type of sealer being used.
Once I apply the Polimeric sand to the pavers joints, do I need to wet the pavers so the sand hardens? or can I apply the sealer right away and that will wet the sand and harden it?
Wet with water. Let dry for a day or two and then seal.
Once you seal your pavers can they be resanded at a later date?
Yes you can.
Can someone recommend a sealer?
Please reply with the 5 parameters.
Should you mist the polymeric sand and let that dry, before applying the sealer?
Yes
I bought some decorative flagstone pavers from Home depot and was wondering if i needed to use a cleaner on them ? Could i get away with just a good pressure wash and light brushing? Thx 🙂
Most likely, yes.
Had my brick sealed by a contractor . Sprayed it on only. It has been over a week and it it is still sticky to walk on what to do?
Depends on the brand they used. I would ask the contractor to fix it.
Awesome
Just had contractor finish two week project replacing the original 70's concrete driveway to vacation house we bought last year with Flagstone pavers (a Fl-made paver) and having different type/color of same brand used to cover a bad acrylic finish chipping on the lanai patio… We were very careful no to walk or especially drive on driveway after they paid the pavers and before they sanded and sealed… we thought we chose a good contractor but the sanding for the driveway (with thick pavers) and sanding for the lanai with the thinner ones is very different…many gaps between pavers on… Read more »
The sand level should be fairly even with no gaps and definitely nothing on top of the surface. We always leave our sand around 1/8\” to 1/4\” below the top edge.