How long does the process take?
It's usually a 2-day process (weather permitting of course). The first day, we treat any stains with various solutions or solvents which is followed up by pressure cleaning, getting almost anything out (stubborn penetrating stains like oil and rust may not come out). The second day, given that the surface to be sealed is completely dry, our sealer is then rolled on. We suggest vehicles not to be driven over a completed job for 48-72 hours. Pedestrians may walk on the sealed surface 2-4 hours after completion.
When do my pavers need re-sanding?
Fine sand is the finishing touch of any paver job. It gets into the little spaces between the pavers and secures them, preventing them from moving or shifting. The sand doesn't need to come all the way to the surface, but if you see large spaces between the pavers you my need resanding. Otherwise, the pavers may shift and be damaged.
Will sealing my pavers make then shine?
Sealing is made to protect the pavers and also to preserve their beauty. When a sealer is applied, it darkens the original colors. Sometimes you might get the pavers to really shine, but it depends on your pavers' colors. Darker colors tend to have a more noticeable sheen then lighter ones. We use a high solids sealer which usually leaves a satin finish. Again this is a bonus that comes with sealing and not its main purpose.
How can you tell if you need to reseal your pavers?
A simple way of telling if your pavers need resealing is to run water on the pavers. If the water does not bead up it is time to reseal.
How often do I need to reseal my pavers?
The first time your pavers are sealed it will last about one to two years depending on the care given to the area, the traffic, and the elements (i.e. rain, sun etc...). You can expect longer life of the sealer with multiple applications. In addition, the quality of the pavers and the condition of the pavers play a role in the longevity.
I had my pavers sealed a few months ago, but now there's a white cloudy film on the surface. Can this be fixed?
There are two reasons cause a white cloudy film to appear on your pavers:
- If too much cheap sealer is applied, the pavers become saturated with the product resulting in a milky white appearance.
- Sometimes after pressure cleaning an inexperienced person will not give the pavers enough time to dry completely. The sealer then traps moisture inside the paver. When the moisture tries to escape, it is blocked by the sealer. We can usually apply a solvent to re-wet the sealer and allow the moisture to escape.
What can I expect when you pressure clean and seal my pavers?
The pressure cleaning and sealing process takes at least two days, depending on the weather and the condition of your pavers. Some covered pools may take 2-7 days to dry from pressure washing before the sealer can be applied.
If we are cleaning and sealing the pavers around a pool, we will take great care to keep your pool clean. If you have a pool cover we will use it. Even with care, pressure cleaning may cause debris and dust to get in your pool. We suggest having your pool company inspect your filters and clean your pool after we complete the job.