You want your pavers to stand the test of time in Sarasota’s hot and humid climate. The harsh external elements here can be unforgiving toward your property’s paved surfaces. Thankfully, if you don’t want your pavers to wear and fade quickly, you might consider paver sealing to save yourself these headaches.
Sealants protect pavers against damage, enhance their appeal, and extend their longevity, but does the addition of pressure washing make any difference? Certainly, a good pressure wash is an essential step in the proper preparation process before sealing your pavers. Here’s more from Patrick’s Pressure Washing.
Understanding Your Pavers’ Needs
The type of paver you have will determine the correct maintenance and sealing requirements, including costs. Let’s look at some of the most common types of pavers you might find in properties around Sarasota, Florida, all of which do well under pressure washing:
Concrete
Concrete pavers encompass a cement and aggregate mixture, molded and air-dried. They’re durable and weather-resistant. This material makes concrete pavers ideal for:
- Driveways
- Walkways
- Patios
These pavers are also affordable compared to other types.
Brick
Typically, brick or clay pavers contain clay and shale material. The natural properties of these raw materials result in a durable and eye-catching paving product with various shades, from light to dark, earthy red hues.
They have limited color options compared to their concrete counterparts, and some clay pavers can’t withstand freeze-thaw without cracking. In Sarasota’s climate, they’re still popular.
Stone
Stone pavers are available in several styles and types with unique properties that are perfect for particular applications and not others. For example, you can use granite pavers on your driveway, but not marble. Stone pavers to choose from include the following:
- Limestone
- Granite
- Flagstone
- Marble
- Slate
- Bluestone
- Sandstone
- Porphyry
All stone pavers appear natural and beautiful, but they’re more costly than concrete and brick.
The Role of Pressure Washing in Paver Maintenance
What’s the easiest way to maintain the surfaces mentioned above? All of them benefit from regular pressure washing, which uses pressurized water to remove dirt, mold, weeds, stains, loose paint, and more from your exterior surfaces.
Sarasota’s humidity and salt-air environment are notorious for paver discoloration and cracking. However, regular power washing from professional service providers can keep pavers looking amazing. It’s an integral component of paver maintenance.
To Pressure Wash or Not Before Sealing?
In terms of pressure washing your pavers before sealing, you might be wondering whether it is necessary. The answer is a resounding “Yes” because a thorough cleaning before sealing the pavers brings countless benefits.
Firstly, it ensures you won’t have unsightly marks showing through as the sealant hardens. Grease and gunk also prevent the sealant from adhering properly, causing bubbling or lifting. Hot water pressure washers can effectively remove these contaminants and improve sealant adhesion for longer-lasting results.
On the other hand, pressure washing can also damage your pavers if botched. What’s the right amount of hot or cold water pressure to use to prevent damage? What’s the right technique?
Professionals know just what to do here, and also keep the following factors in mind:
- Mild weather is often the best time to get optimal power washing results.
- Your paver material determines the pressure and techniques. For example, concrete withstands higher pressure better than brick.
- The experts adjust the setting of the electric pressure washer based on the level of dirt or stains, gradually increasing it from the lowest setting.
Best Practices for Pressure Washing Pavers in Sarasota
For every surface, pressure washing pavers is a delicate task. Not enough pressure could compromise cleaning results, and too much may cause costly paver damage. Concrete and other resilient materials do fine with 1000 to 1500 psi, but experts will often reduce this for softer materials, like mortared flagstone.
Without experience, using a pressure washer or the wrong nozzle could be detrimental. Professionals also avoid harsh cleaning chemicals on your pavers that can degrade them prematurely.
Sealing Your Pavers: The Final Step
So, after pressure washing and cleaning your pavers, how do the professionals complete the sealing process?
- Fix cracks and other surface imperfections.
- Add sand between the paver joints to make them more stable.
- Choose the right sealant (based on climate, paver material, and finish).
- Apply the sealer to protect your pavers’ original color and increase their UV ray, moisture, and stain resistance.
Contact Patrick’s Paver Sealing
Proper paver preparation ensures the best sealing results and pressure washing is an important part of that. Do it correctly, and you’ll have gorgeous results. So, if you need help with pressure washing and sealing your pavers, call Patrick’s Paver Sealing at 941-799-1571 today!
