{"id":1129,"date":"2015-08-10T15:42:03","date_gmt":"2015-08-10T15:42:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.paving.org\/?p=1129"},"modified":"2024-03-14T17:58:46","modified_gmt":"2024-03-14T17:58:46","slug":"apply-block-paving-sealer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.paving.org\/index.php\/apply-block-paving-sealer\/","title":{"rendered":"Block Paving Sealer. How to Apply"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

How to Correctly Apply Sealer to Block Paving <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Learn how to apply block paving sealer and why you might want to consider applying a sealant to your paving. Applying a sealer will protect your block paving against weeds, algae and moss<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apply a block paving sealer to prevent contaminates such as oil and tyre marks on the surface. <\/strong>It also stops joint sand loss from between paving joints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below we learn how to prepare your paving for the application of block paving sealer and what you need to do before you apply to block paving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Things to consider before you apply block paving sealer
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Your block paving needs to be clean for best results before you apply the sealer. The surface needs to be weed dirt, moss and algae free before you seal the paving. This is because once applied, a paving sealer will seal in the dirt or not adhere to the surface correctly if the paving is dirty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you do need to clean your paving before you start please see our guide on cleaning block paving<\/a> on our block paving maintenance page. Once you have cleaned your paving, allow a few days for your paving to dry before application of block paving sealer<\/strong>. This is to make sure that no efflorescence appears on the surface after you have cleaned you paving blocks. Washing you’re paving could cause salts in the paving to rise to the surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More importantly<\/strong>, leaving your paving to dry for couple of days after you have cleaned your paving allows the paving to fully dry<\/strong>. (although how you keep it clean in that time is near impossible, especially from bird muck. Somehow birds seem to take great pleasure in bombarding newly cleaned block paving)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The paving and jointing sand needs to be perfectly dry before you apply the sealer. <\/strong>When dry the block paving and joint sand to absorb the sealer. If the kiln dried sand or paving is wet it will not absorb the block paving sealer correctly. There is the chance the paving will turn white where the paving was damp. To check the sand is dry scrape out a small section of the sand and check that it is not damp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If possible re-sand lost joint sand on the day you apply the sealer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Brush<\/figure>
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If you can, it helps to re-apply the kiln dried jointing sand<\/a> on the day you seal the block paving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That way it guarantees that your paving sand and joints between the paving blocks will be dry. This allows the sand to absorb the sealant<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The paving joints also dry out faster if they are “given a bit of air to dry.” Although this will add a bit of time needed to apply the block paving sealer.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

If you cannot wait a few days between cleaning and sealing your block paving. The general rule of thumb is that once it is perfectly dry and you are happy with the way it looks then that is a good time to seal the paving. Remember that once sealed, it will be difficult if not impossible to remove the sealer from you paving so make sure that all stains and marks on your paving are removed<\/a>. Or that you are completely satisfied how your paving looks. As they will be “sealed in” once the paving sealer has been applied to your driveway or patio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What type of finish do you want for your surface once sealed?Matt, low sheen or gloss?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You need to decide what kind of look you want for your driveway or patio once sealed. Decide on Matt (no shine), gloss (shiny) or low sheen (somewhere between shiny and not shiny). Some block paving need two coats of sealer and some only need one. Usually if you apply two coats you get a glossier finish than using one coat. Unless the sealant has been specially made to give a matt or satin finish when dry.\u00a0 Normally if you want a gloss finish to the sealer it is best to use a polyurethane block paving sealer as these type of sealers hold a gloss better than an acrylic sealer will. You can read about the different types of paving sealer here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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