LATEST ARTICLES

Your patio pavers are a beautiful addition to your outdoor living space so it is quite natural that you want them to look their best all year round. This wouldn't be possible without proper maintenance.

The cold winter months are not exactly kind to your pavers. The snow and moisture can cause wear and tear. Here are a few tips and tricks for keeping your pavers in great shape throughout the year.

Seal cracks and holes

If there are holes or cracks in the pavers, water from snow will seep into them. This can cause the pavers to break up. You will definitely not want this to happen. And hence before winter sets in, you should get the joints and holes filled with regular or polymeric sand.

Solvent based products like fuel, anti-freeze and oil can cause stains on your pavers. Sealing makes your pavers easier to clean. Sealing also prevents the seeds from germinating in the mortar. If you let them grow, the weeds will ultimately break up your pavers.

Keep them level

You should also ensure that your pavers are level. Pavers that stick upward are safety hazards. Uneven pavers are another problem so make sure to even them out.

Seal pavers regularly

It is commonsense; still, many people forget to seal their pavers on a regular basis. By sealing your pavers you not only protect them from harsh weather elements, but also ensure that they look beautiful year round. Of course, there are no hard and fast rules about sealing pavers. There are mainly two factors that you need to consider while sealing pavers - the kind of material they are made from and their region.

The sealant can be applied in many ways. Of course, the first thing you need to do is to choose the type of sealant you would like to use. Different kinds of pavers require different sealing solutions. If you are not sure, you should talk to your local hardscape company or supply yard to find out the best sealing solution for your pavers.

Choosing the right sealant

Paver sealants are available in several varieties. You can choose from low gloss, high gloss, matte, low sheen and flat finishes. It is essentially a matter of choice and it is impossible to say whether matte finishes are better than glossy finishes. If you choose sheen or gloss finishes, your pavers will sport a shiny appearance. Flat and matte finishes will retain the natural look of the paver.

When to apply the sealant?

Don't apply the sealant as soon as you install the pavers. Ideally you should wait for at least 2 months after installation because the pavers need time to settle. If the sealant is applied immediately after installing the pavers, it may result in a cracked appearance.