In order to preserve pavers it is necessary to seal them. This solidifies the sand joints, helps reduce weed growth, locks out moisture, and reduces freeze/thaw damage. Sealing pavers can also enhance their natural beauty. There are several different finishes available for brick pavers. A matte finish would protect the pavers from the elements but would not alter their appearance. For those looking for a more enhanced look that is not shiny or glossy, a “wet look” may be the answer.

A wet look appearance is just like the name implies, the bricks look wet but not shiny. The wet look sealers are also less slippery when wet unlike glossy finishes. The best paver sealer with wet look but no shine comes down to a couple of choices. One of the best according to the reviews for the best paver sealer with wet look but no shine is Supreme Shield SB-600 Paver Sealer. This solvent based penetrating sealer results in an enhanced color, wet look finish without the fake glossy or plastic appearance. Supreme Shield SB-600 is water, salt, stain, and oil resistant to protect your pavers and preserve their beauty. This easy to use paver sealer is perfect for stamped concrete, concrete pavers, as well as other porous concrete surfaces.

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Paver and concrete sealers are used to prolong the life of patios, driveways, pavers, masonry, and many other brick and concrete surfaces. They repel water and moisture and help to maintain the beauty of these types of surfaces. Most paver and concrete sealers can be applied by anyone using the proper application tools. Always follow the application methods recommended by the manufacturer. In addition, it is best to only apply sealers to a clean, dirt free surface. Therefore washing the surface properly is highly recommended prior to applying any type of sealer. Not doing so may jeopardize the sealer’s effectiveness and longevity.

The best application tools for paver sealers and concrete sealers may be purchased from the same online authorized dealer where you purchase your sealer. Application tools can vary but most widely used are brushes, stain pads, rollers, and a quality pump up sprayer. The type of sealer may determine how it is best applied. Wet look or shiny sealers can be thicker in nature and may not apply well using a pump sprayer. A large brush or roller may work best.

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One of the most versatile surfaces used on almost every property is concrete. Concrete is used for many things such as foundation purposes or for surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, patios, porches, pool decks, garage floors, retaining walls, or landscape edging. The list goes on and on when it comes to concrete. Although concrete is a fairly hardened and durable surface, it is not free from the perils of Mother Nature. Things like water, UV rays, mold, mildew, and deicing salts can wreak havoc on concrete surfaces. These can cause issues like freeze/thaw damage from water expansion in colder climates, pitting, chipping, cracking, heaving, and overall deterioration. Colored concrete is prone to color loss and fading.

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Surfaces such as indoor concrete can be sealed to protect against stains while offering a beautiful enhanced appearance. For an enhanced look with a little gloss the best sealer for indoor concrete that we have found is Masonry Saver Decorative Concrete Sealer. This versatile sealer can be used for indoor concrete surfaces such as stamped, decorative, brick, stone and other masonry surfaces. Masonry Saver Decorative Concrete Sealer protects concrete and masonry surfaces from color loss due to ultraviolet light. It also provides shielding against moisture, abrasions, and normal wear and tear.

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Most concrete surfaces will last a very long time when they are properly maintained. Maintaining a concrete surface is no different than other surfaces, it just needs to be cleaned periodically and protected from the elements. Harsh weather and climate can take its toll on concrete that is not water proofed. When water and moisture are able to penetrate concrete it can cause all types of problems. Most notably, constant moisture can create mold, mildew, and algae buildup. This can break down the concrete overtime and is extremely unsightly. It can also create a slippery when wet surface, which can be dangerous.

In climates that see below freezing weather in the winter, freeze and thaw damage is very common. When moisture penetrates the concrete and freezes it expands. This can cause chipping, cracking, and heaving of the concrete literally breaking it up and ruining the structure. Repairing this type of damage can be costly. The good news is that it is avoidable with some regular maintenance. The best protection you can give any type of concrete surface is to water proof it so water and moisture cannot penetrate the surface.

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A driveway is obviously an important surface when it comes to the exterior of your home. Most of us take them for granted until it comes time to make costly repairs. In areas of the country that see cold winters, salt and erosion can be a huge problem for a driveway. Salt can eat away at the surface of concrete causing chipping and erosion issues. Moisture can also penetrate the driveway and create freezing and thawing damage in as little as one harsh winter season.

To protect your driveway from salt and erosion it is best to seal it. Sealing a driveway will stop most of the damaging effects of winter weather. The sealer will repel moisture and salt so the driveway surface is not harmed. When it comes to sealing a driveway there are a few steps necessary for a successful result. When the weather is appropriate for applying a sealer prior to winter, the surface should first be cleaned. Use a quality concrete cleaner along with a pressure washer to remove dirt, grime, mold, and mildew. The concrete cleaner will help break down these contaminants including tannin stains from sticks, leaves, and acorns so the surface is completely clean prior to sealing.

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Applying a paver sealer to your brick paver surfaces is a great way to protect them from the damaging effects of Mother Nature. The elements can play a vital role in creating dirt, grime, mold, mildew, moss, and unwanted weed growth. Harsh UV rays can fade and discolor pavers that are unprotected. Locking out moisture and preserving the color of your pavers is one good reason to seal them on a regular basis.

In addition to protection, some paver sealers can bring out the natural beauty of the pavers to help enhance their appearance. A deep wet look paver sealer will give your pavers a rich “wet look” that helps bring out the natural beauty in the brick. This deep wet look keeps the pavers looking rich for several seasons. This wet look serves well on pavers and is becoming increasingly popular among homeowners today. This type of wet look sealer also does a great job of solidifying sand joints between each of the pavers. This helps reduce unwanted weed and moss growth as well as sand erosion.

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Acrylic based paver sealers are formulated to seal and protect concrete and brick pavers leaving a wet look high gloss finish. They can be applied to previously coated or bare surfaces. Many of the acrylic based paver sealers are sold at local hardware and big box stores and paint outlets. Doing some research on acrylic based paver sealer leaves quit a bit of concern. When tested these products performed less than expected and some even made the surface look worse than it did prior to application.

One of the problems reported by homeowners using acrylic based paver sealers is an overall lack of gloss. These product are marketed to leave a beautiful “wet look” glossy finish but in most cases, even after applying 2 coats the finish was a matte sheen at best. Many customers leaving reviews report mostly a lack of that deep rich look they were hoping for. Joint sand hardening is average but nowhere near the solidity a quality solvent based paver sealer will provide.

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Basement walls can collect moisture due to the humidity of being underground. Moisture can also seep through the walls from the outside. To keep your basement walls in good condition, it is a good idea to seal them. Basement walls can be sealed to help lock out moisture, which may lead to mold, mildew, and erosion problems. It is best to seek professional advice or do some research prior to attempting this project.

Knowing how to seal basement walls will serve you well, this information can be found online. Here are some basic guidelines to help you with sealing your basement walls. Be sure the walls have been cleaned and are free of dirt, dust, and other grime that may keep the sealer from penetrating. It is best to use water and a concrete or brick cleaner depending on what your basement walls are made of. Be sure there is proper drainage in the basement floor. If you cannot use water use a concrete cleaner and wipe the walls down to remove any contaminants. Allow the basement walls to dry for a day or two.

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Protecting pavers from the elements is an important part of maintaining their appearance and longevity. This can be done by periodically applying a paver sealer to block out moisture and fading UV rays. A paver sealer will also hinder weed growth, moss, and mildew from growing in the paver joints and on the surface. It can also reduce sand joint erosion as well.

Certain paver sealers are better than others. There have been complaints from homeowners using inferior paver sealers that most commonly say the sealer has turned white. A milky white appearance on the surface of pavers can occur when a low-quality paver sealer is used. This milky or cloudy white appearance is extremely unsightly and can be difficult to fix. The white hue is a sure sign that the sealer has failed and now needs to be dealt with in a way that will completely fix the problem.

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Every interlocking brick paver system involves the use of joint sand. This joint sand helps to reduce paver movement by bonding the system together. It is also a vital part of prohibiting weed growth, insect infestation, and sand washout. The proper type of sand needs to be used for the best results. Polymeric sand is highly recommended because once it is applied to the joints, it reacts with misted water and creates a binding agent that helps solidify the sand and locks the pavers together.

The best polymeric sand to use is a brand like Surebond. This special polymeric sand will bind the sand particles together when reacted with water but will not cause a problem known as poly haze. Poly haze is what happens when there is polymeric sand left on the surface of the pavers after the sand has been swept into the cracks. The pavers are then misted with water to activate the binding agent but in turn it also reacts with the left behind layer of surface sand creating a white haze.

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Concrete is a very versatile material that can be used in many applications. It is most commonly used for driveways, sidewalks, porches, and patios. It can also be used for retaining walls, landscape edging, and other areas of construction. Concrete can last a very long time if it is maintained and protected from the elements. Unprotected concrete, especially in northern areas, can be subjected to freeze and thaw damage during the colder months. This most commonly causes cracking, chipping, and heaving of the concrete

Ideally, you want to maintain the nice level clean surface that the concrete was when it was new. To stop any damaging effects it is important to maintain the concrete in several ways. First the concrete needs to be cleaned periodically. This will remove such contaminants such as dirt, grime, mold and mildew, which can cause discoloration and attract and hold damaging moisture. In between cleaning maintenance, about every couple of years, the concrete should be sealed. This will help to waterproof the concrete so moisture cannot penetrate the surface. Sealing concrete is a great way to prevent freeze and thaw damage.

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Landscaping with brick pavers is a great way to increase your home’s curb appeal. Brick pavers come in many different sizes, colors, shapes, and textures. They are versatile and can be used for many different applications. With pavers your own imagination is the limit. The downside, if there is one, is that brick pavers do require some maintenance. If brick pavers are not maintained they can fade, discolor, and be overwhelmed by weeds and moss.

If your brick pavers have been neglected do not fear; they can be restored. How to restore brick pavers is a common question. Without the proper knowledge, it can seem like a daunting task. But knowing how can revive their color and appearance and bring some appeal back to your home’s exterior.

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Brick can come in a variety of forms and be used in many applications of construction. Whether a form of brick is used in house construction be it a retaining wall, chimney, pillars, the house itself, etc., it should be sealed to lock out moisture. Penetrating moisture can deteriorate the brick making it brittle. It can also lead to unsightly problems like efflorescence, fading, discoloration, mold, mildew, or algae. Sealing the brick with a quality brick sealer will provide a protective coat of armor against these contaminants and help to prolong the longevity of the brick.

Prior to sealing brick of any type the surface first needs to be cleaned. Use a quality brick cleaner to breakup dirt and grime. Using a pressure washer, clean the area of the bricks including the mortar joints to remove discoloring dirt, mold, mildew, and grime. If the bricks are suffering from salt leakage be sure to use efflorescence cleaner. If you do not have access to a pressure washer, use brick cleaner and warm water and scrub the brick with a stiff brush. After cleaning allow the brick to dry for a day or two.

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Due to harsh weather conditions such as rain and harmful UV rays, it becomes necessary to protect exterior surfaces. The same goes for landscape pavers. Simply put, pavers will last longer and retain more of their original beauty if they are sealed and maintained on a regular basis.

Knowing how to seal pavers correctly can save you a lot of time and effort. It can also mean the difference between a simple weekend DIY project or having to hire it out to a professional. To seal pavers of any sort you first have to clean the surface. This most likely means using a pressure washer. If no stains are present on the pavers then using chemicals is not necessary. A pressure washer will remove any dirt, grime and pesky weeds or moss that have grown up through the sand joints. If stains are present like irrigation rust or oil then use a cleaner specific to that stain.

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