[4seasons]

I've never sealed pavers before, but I think I know what to do.
1. make sure area is acceptable to seal
2. clean-- pressure wash or some other way first?
3. sand --- poly or regular
4. sealer -- I'm thinking of using the wet look( techni-seal brand)

what are some does or don'ts that ya'll have learned?

[sandim]

Hey Bruce,

I have not sealed either, but funny enough I was just at a paver conference today. Be sure your pavers are clean and ready for sealing. We were told today that "sand-lok" is the best kind of joint lock to use. Apparently with joint lock you have to get it wet enough but not too wet. The sand-lok is not as fussy.
As far as sealers go, be sure it's something for concrete pavers, not just concrete and not Thompson's.

Hope that is helpful!

[Stonehenge]

I like Techni-Seal quite a bit and have used it for years. As for sealing, it's pretty straightforward - everything you see on the surface of the pavers will be there permanently if it's sealed in. So be sure the pavers are clean and efflouresence-free. My experience is that you don't need the rust cleaner, efflouresence cleaner and every other cleaner out there - they are all derivatives of muriatic acid, so one will pretty much do the job of the rest. You can pressure-wash if you want, but then plan on spending a couple hours dozing, waiting for the pavers to completely dry, or come back for a second trip. We use a simple roller and a pan with disposable brushes for the tight spots. Make sure you get even coverage, and choose your starting spot carefully - start in a place that forces you to go in one direction for awhile, then return to the starting point to go in another direction will result in dried sealer at the second starting point and will be noticeable for awhile (think of the different look between a single coat of paint and a double coat).

We stopped sealing almost all patios, because it was just too time intensive, getting the pavers clean, waiting for them to dry or coming back the next day, then sealing. The time is better spent installing new work, and the process of sealing is something a homeowner can do satisfactorily anyway. Doesn't mean you can't do it as a profitable add-on; we're just doing what works for us.

Hope that helps.

[4seasons]

yeah Stone thats kinda how I feel about sealing also.
Just wanted to try it once to say I've done it.
Can you apply it with a sprayer or do you have to use roller only.
I've just used brushes when putting it on natural stone.
How long will it be till they have to seal again.
this is funny--
they don't want poly on a strip of it because they always need to take it up an cut the tree roots heaving the pavers.
By the way this isn't my job.

[Stonehenge]

Sounds like an odd arrangement.

Yeah, you can use a sprayer, but I've heard of and seen sprayers get gummed up pretty quick. Could've been the applicator, could've been the sealer - but either way, the boss (at the time) had two fancy paperweights in short time.

[4seasons]

i ll just bid it high and see what happens

[Ignatusik]

Who knows if there is a big difference between Techni-Seal & Surebond paver sealers?
We usually try to do the sealing while we are still working on the rest of the project. We powerwash the pavers, let them dry (time depends on weather and if they are in open sun or shade...) and then spray on & rub in couple of coats of sealer. But sometimes we do have to go back just for sealing...