First thing’s first. Before delving into the nitty-gritty, we’re going to cover the basics. Understanding the types of paver sealers available on the market will better position you for success on future sealing jobs. In this section, we'll give you a clear understanding of how different sealers work and enable you to make sound product selections for just about any type of project you’re faced with. (Even if you’re a pro, a little refresher never hurts!)
Knowing the facts about solvent-based vs. water-based sealers will make all the difference in your outdoor paver project. While they do have some characteristics in common (i.e. protection against wear and tear, a level of stain and UV resistance, a fairly easy application process) it’s the differences that ultimately determine which type of sealer will best fit your project.
Next we’ll explain how to handle previously sealed pavers but it’s important to note here that water-based sealer can never be applied on top of solvent-based sealer!
We’ve discovered that general education on the application and usage of sealer proves to be quite limited (and often conflicting). Unfortunately, making a mistake on a sealing job is costly and very labor-intense to fix. So it’s critical to choose the right product and apply it precisely as specified by the manufacturer.
As if things weren’t already confusing enough, sealer types can be broken down even further! Let’s explore the characteristics of some of the most common sealer classifications.
Acrylics are an economical sealer choice. They’re available in both water-based and solvent-based varieties and are fairly easy to apply. Acrylics typically come as a single component, or 1K (a.k.a. no mixing required), and provide excellent gloss and color enhancement. The downside: they’re moisture sensitive after application and may scratch easily.
Fluorochemical sealers, while relatively expensive, will last for years. Fluorochemical sealers are generally easy to apply. Because they are a penetrating type of sealer, they will not provide any color or gloss enhancement.
Silicones are another economical sealer option. They have a moderate life-span and are available as a single component penetrating product. Silicones will not provide any kind of gloss enhancement but they may slightly enhance the color of the pavers.
Polyurethanes are an excellent sealer choice however, that comes at a price because they’re typically expensive. They’re available in single component (1K) or two parts (2K). Two-part products must be mixed on-site and can be tricky to apply properly. Polyurethanes are also available in both water-based and solvent-based versions. They’re tougher than acrylic sealers, providing high levels of UV- and chemical-resistance.
That was a lot of information … we know! So we’ve developed the Ultimate Sealer Cheat Sheet that you can store on your smartphone for reference anytime you need it. You can download it by clicking the button below!
Alright, so now that we’re up to speed on all of the different types of sealers, let’s talk preparation tips!
Paver sealing is a great way to protect the investment of an outdoor patio or walkway. However, failing to responsibly prep for the process puts the entire surface in jeopardy. In this section, we’re going to outline everything that needs to be done before a sealing job.
There are four primary tasks that must get accomplished prior to starting each and every sealing job. Here's the checklist!
Efflorescence cleaning is a mandatory step when sealing pavers. And it goes way beyond just the removal of efflorescence. There are four main reasons why pre-cleaning is a must for sealing jobs.
As we talked about in the first section, a water-based sealer should never be applied on top of pavers that were previously sealed with a solvent-based product. If you’re sealing a pre-existing surface, it’s a best practice to verify if the pavers had been sealed before and what kind of sealer was used. And unless you have an extremely reliable source who can provide you with this information, it’s wise to make the determination yourself. Here’s how ...
It’s application time! Let’s review the tools needed, general steps of the process, and some tricks of the trade!
Besides the sealer itself, here’s a list of everything you’ll want to bring along to the job site ...
After completing the efflorescence cleaning and all other necessary preparation steps, the application may commence. Outlined here are the three primary steps required! (Note: After efflorescence cleaning, you should allow the pavers to dry for 24-48 hours before sealing.)
Everyone can use a tip or two on how to make their job easier, right? We’re closing out this section with three handy hacks that will save you time and energy on future sealing jobs. Let’s go!
Sealer issues are a very common occurrence in the hardscape world. Lack of preparation … weather … temperature … improper application technique. These are just a few of the things that can cause a sealing job to go very wrong. In this section, we’re going to share the most common issues we see in the field and how to prevent making the mistakes that ultimately lead to them. We’ll also discuss the types of issues that can and can’t be fixed.
Getting a sealing application right the first time is a must. So let’s get straight to it. Here are the most common sealer issues and quick advice on how to prevent them!
Mistakes on sealer jobs are easy to make yet … for the most part … not so easy to correct. While the extent of damage truly needs to be assessed on a case-by-case basis, we’re going to first share a few fixes that might save you from having to strip the job. Then we’ll move onto the types of issues that can’t be fixed.
Each type of natural stone features a unique set of characteristics that will ultimately determine the effectiveness of sealing. In this section, we’ll detail the things you need to know before applying sealer to a natural stone project.
Every natural stone can be broken down by four characteristics: 1. Density, 2. Porosity, 3. Permeability, and 4. Absorption. Let's take a closer look ...
Because characteristics vary greatly from one type of natural stone to the next, it’s impossible to present one sealer and one application method to handle all stone types and installation conditions.
As we mentioned earlier, depending on absorption, sealer coverage rates will vary from stone to stone. It’s also important to note that very dense stone may require wiping off excess sealer to avoid creating a slippery surface when it dries.
Essentially, the moral of the story with natural stone is to get educated on the type of stone you’re working with and then carefully proceed from there! Once you know and understand the characteristics of the stone in your project, it will be time to move onto yet even more considerations …
When applying a natural stone sealer, you should always carefully follow the instructions provided by the specific manufacturer. However, here are some basic rules to follow.
The three keys to being successful in the cleaning and sealing business are 1. Product knowledge 2. Application knowledge and 3. Salesmanship. The previous sections concentrated on items one and two … now it’s time to focus on selling your services the smart way!
For an in-depth look at a company that has aced the art of selling their cleaning and sealing services, be sure to download our case study: Starting A Lucrative Cleaning And Sealing Business.
The first and most critical step in working with a client who wants an outdoor surface sealed is understanding their desired outcome and then being able to align the right product for the job. Here is a list of ten considerations you should make for every sealer job:
After you have a solid understanding of your client’s preferences and desired outcome, it will be your responsibility to recommend a sealer that will best fit the project. If the client’s expectations are unattainable, it’s your job to give them the reasons why and suggest other viable solutions.
At the forefront of this process stands your product knowledge! You’re the expert and your client is relying on you.
Most experienced contractors can agree there is no cookie cutter approach to estimating sealing jobs. Depending on the product used, the application process, and any unique circumstances, quotes will typically have to be prepared on a case-by-case basis. That said, time should always be invested in visiting a job site to accurately assess the scope of work. While there isn’t a black and white estimating template we can give you, here are some common expenditures you should consider for each project:
What (besides sealing) will your crew be doing on the job site? Does contaminated joint sand need to be removed? Are there any low spots that need to be raised? During your site visit, take note of every single task that will affect your labor costs and be sure they’re built into the quote.
Again, the site visit is critical because it will give you a sense of which products (and quantities) are needed. If you’re raising areas of the surface, replacing polymeric sand, or performing stain removal, make certain you’re accurately accounting for product quantities and costs.
What tools will you be using for the job? Here are some common ones you’ll want to consider building into your price: pressure washer, compactor, leaf blower, and sprayer surface cleaner. Don’t forget to include your overhead recovery costs, too!
The Alliance Gator Cleaning & Sealing Quote Worksheet provides a great roadmap to estimating. You can download a free copy by clicking below!
While word of mouth is one of the best forms of advertising, there are other creative ways to market your services in an effort to generate new business. Try some of these techniques to get the ball rolling …
We’re ending on the same note we started with. Paver sealing is an incredibly complex topic! However, a little product and application knowledge puts you way ahead of the curve. We hope you gained some new insights from this webpage. Now get out there and showcase your Master of Sealing skills!
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