Pavers - To seal or not to seal?

[GeneJ]

I'm having a new pool put in and the deck area is all pavers. A couple of questions for those with experience on this topic:


Do the pavers need to be sealed?
If so, is this a DIY project or should I hire a specialist?


Thanks>

[villagetinker]

The pavers will tend to fade if not sealed, and may have more mold. As for DIY sealing, you need to talk to a professional, if the sealer is not applied correctly it can become cloudy. You need to be careful which type of sealer you use, water based or solvent based, and be sure to save the container so you have the information for future resealing. I just had multiple discussions with the firm that painted our driveway, they are no longer resealing or recommending resealing due problems with the sealer becoming cloudy. Several months ago, I did a DIY sealing of landscape block. I used H&C WATER based sealer which so far seems to be working very well and did not get cloudy.
One final word of caution, you should mix in a friction additive like 'shark grip' or equal so that you do not end up with a very slippery when wet surface. Hope this helps.

[Toymeister]

Sealing is certainly a DIY project. I have done it. Far simpler than painting.

Sealers come as solvent based or water based. Water based has approximately half as much of solids and it is the same price. Solvent is superior but it does stink at application.

[Nucky]

Definitely Seal The Pavers. You will not regret it.

Doing it yourself depends on your ability but it is not a hard task to do properly.

[GeneJ]

Thanks for the feedback!

[DAVES]

The pavers will tend to fade if not sealed, and may have more mold. As for DIY sealing, you need to talk to a professional, if the sealer is not applied correctly it can become cloudy. You need to be careful which type of sealer you use, water based or solvent based, and be sure to save the container so you have the information for future resealing. I just had multiple discussions with the firm that painted our driveway, they are no longer resealing or recommending resealing due problems with the sealer becoming cloudy. Several months ago, I did a DIY sealing of landscape block. I used H&C WATER based sealer which so far seems to be working very well and did not get cloudy.
One final word of caution, you should mix in a friction additive like 'shark grip' or equal so that you do not end up with a very slippery when wet surface. Hope this helps.

If, it is a lacquer based product and there is dampness in the pavers and or the air it will get cloudy. There is likely an additive you can mix it that will prevent this. It used to be called retarder and it slows the drying.

[stadry]

short answer - ' no' but sealing will keep them cleaner,,,pavers are just concrete w/added color- probably white cement unless you think shades of gray ( then portland's used ,spray on 1st coat & backroll w/3/4" nap roller cover- 18" rollers let you finish faster,,,ALWAYS add sealer by working from wet edges small roller covers make this extremely difficult,,, pick a sealer that's uv resistant,,, 'CSS' beats all other acrylic solvent sealersolvent das its lasced w/methylmethacrylate but may not be available to any who are not licensed by elitecrete... NEVER attempt sealing on a bright sunny hot day good luck
rareky did we add
ratrely did we add non-slip additive to pavers

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