8 Benefits of Using Sealer to Complete Your Paver Projects

If you’re working on a paver project, you’ve probably encountered some comments from friends or online videos and blog posts cautioning you about the bad things that might happen if you don’t use sealer. But why SHOULD you use sealer to complete your projects? Is it all about what might happen if you don’t?

In this blog post, we’re looking at the top benefits of using sealer to complete your paver projects. Sealer is more than just a finishing touch. When properly applied, paver sealer is one of the primary things that will ensure your hardscape lasts and maintains its quality.

Benefit #1 – Sealer Reduces Staining

You might not think of pavers as something that stains easily since you can just use your garden hose at any time to clean them off. In reality though, things like algae, mold, coffee, wine, oil, and rust can be absorbed into the pavers and cause stains. Things that stain can especially creep into your paver pores if you have not properly applied sealer before you even began to use the pavers. 

Benefit Bottom Line: if you want to avoid stains on your pavers, use sealer.

Benefit #2 – Sealer Reduces Color Loss 

Did you know that the sun can eventually fade your pavers? Here in the PNW, especially in the high-desert regions, typical UV exposure can actually end up changing the color of your pavers. UV resistant sealers function as sunblock for your paving stones, preventing fading, color loss, or surface degradation caused by sunlight.  

Benefit Bottom Line: if you want to reduce color loss in your pavers, use sealer.

Benefit #3 – Sealer Prevents Discoloration from Mineral Leaching

Another discoloration problem that can occur on pavers happens when they absorb water. The hardscape can then be discolored from minerals from the water (known as calcium carbonate or efflorescence) migrating to the surface and causing light or white spots.

You won’t be surprised to learn that a proper sealer prevents pavers from absorbing that water in the first place, which in turn prevents that mineral discoloration.

Benefit bottom line: to avoid white or light spots appearing on your pavers, use sealer.

Benefit #4 – Sealer Makes Maintenance Easy

One of the most obvious benefits of using sealer to complete your paver project is that your pavers will be much easier to maintain down the road. Sealer creates a smoother surface, subtly filling the porousness of the surface so that it is easier to clean. Easy–to-clean pavers will make your entire experience with hardscape a lot less complicated. 

Benefit Bottom Line: if you want easy paver maintenance, use sealer.

Benefit #5 – Sealer Can Reduce Moss and Weed Growth

If you have seen very much hardscape, you almost certainly have seen moss or weeds growing up in the pavers. Damp climates, like what we have here in the western regions of the Pacific Northwest, are especially apt to perpetuate this paver annoyance.

If you use a sealer that includes “antifungal additives,” your paver sealer can help prevent moss and weeds growing on the surface of your hardscape. Implementing a sealer such as our SB8700/SB7700 can dramatically reduce the likelihood of your pavers turning green and will save you time and energy in the future.

Benefit Bottom Line: if you want to reduce moss and weeds growing on your pavers, use an anti-fungal sealer.

Benefit #6 – Sealer Can Enhance Your Paver Style

Perhaps one of the lesser-known benefits of paver sealer is the potential it has to change the whole effect of hardscape. Certain types of sealers can provide a glossy or wet look on your pavers. Some sealers also are tintable, which enables you to change (typically darken) the color of your hardscape if it turns out differently than you want.

 If you want to emphasize or change the color of your hardscape or simply end up with a sleeker product, you may be interested in one of these style-changing sealers.

Benefit Bottom Line: if you want to enhance the texture or color of your pavers, use a sealer.

Benefit #7 – Sealer Protects From De-icers

Living in the PNW means that both your landscaping and hardscaping will potentially suffer from winter weather conditions. Something that comes with cold weather is the use of salt and other chemicals to serve as de-icers. Most of us utilize something on our hardscape or sidewalks to prevent accidents from happening, usually without considering that those products can actually end up damaging pavers.

While a sealer is not guaranteed to forever prevent any damage from ice melters, a quality sealer that is properly applied to pavers will certainly help protect them from chemical damage.

Benefit Bottom Line: if you don’t want your pavers damaged from de-icers, use a sealer. 

Benefit #8 – Sealers Reduce Spalling

Along with protecting your pavers from salt and other chemicals, sealers reduce the risk of your hardscape spalling. The freeze/thaw cycles that hardscaping lives through generally increases this chipping or crumbling because of water absorbing into the surface of the pavers.

Paver sealer helps prevent that water from being absorbed in the first place, reducing the risk of ice forming and thawing and eventually chipping away the hardscape.

Benefit Bottom Line: if you want pavers that haven’t crumbled because of weather, use a sealer. Sealing your pavers will only benefit your outdoors and reduce the amount of work you have to put into necessary upkeep.

Contact WI for tutorials and expert advice

If you are ready to get started with installing (and sealing) your pavers, you can click here to make your choice from our hardscape selection. You can also check out our DIY with WI page for access to tutorials, and guides. Our team will be happy to assist you with any questions or custom advice you need for your installation.