If you've ever been out on a hot day and seen water dripping from the side of a building, then you know how cool wet look sealants can be. There are many different types of wet look sealant for pavers that can transform your outdoor living space into an oasis. You don't have to worry about putting these products on yourself though – just follow our three steps below and we'll show you how it's done!
If you've recently decided to use a wet look sealant for pavers to enhance the look of your patio, walkway, or driveway, you may be wondering about the best way to apply it. Putting a quality sealer on your pavers isn't difficult, though you should know a handful of things before you get started. This is the reason we've put this short article together: to help you protect and enhance your pavers with a wet look sealant.
If you're looking for the best-wet look sealant to use on your pavers, here are some things that you should know before buying it.
- Ensure that water will bead and not penetrate the surface after applying a wet look sealer. If this doesn't happen then there is no point in using one because it won't protect your pavers.
- Make sure you put enough sealer on the pavers so it sits on top without puddling or collecting. Use a push broom or leaf blower to move the sealer around for consistency.
- Try to stay away from products that contain silicone or wax because they can attract dirt and grime easily, making the wet look sealer less effective over time.
- If you live in an area where it snows during winter, be sure to use a product that is specifically designed to hold up during the freeze/thaw cycle.
- If you're looking for a wet look sealant that will prevent your pavers from becoming slippery, then be sure to choose one that doesn't contain oils or petroleum distillates because these things can make surfaces slick and difficult to walk on.
- Solvent and oil-based sealers tend to trap moisture under the surface and can haze or blush. Our recommendation is to always use a water-based sealer, not only are they environmentally friendly but they also provide joint stabilization.
- Applying too many coats of any sealer can induce slippery conditions. Be sure to follow the manufacturers' directions.
You'll want to apply the wet look sealer to your pavers for a minimum of 30 days (60 days is better) after installing your pavers to allow the paver to cycle for efflorescence. If there is bad weather in the forecast for several days, we recommend waiting until conditions improve before applying a wet look sealant to your pavers or any other outdoor surface.
Before you start working on your project, make sure that you have everything that you'll need. This includes the wet look sealant, a garden hose with a working spray nozzle, and some rubber gloves to protect your hands from any harsh chemicals in the product.
You should also make sure that there will be no foot traffic for at least 24 hours or vehicle traffic on your pavers for at least 72 hours after applying the wet look sealer. They can be walked on 24 hours after you've finished applying the final coat of the wet look sealant, but it is best to wait at least 72 hours before driving over them with a vehicle or placing heavy objects, such as flowerpots or doormats on freshly sealed pavers.
You will want to apply your wet look sealant for pavers using long even consistent strokes in order to ensure that no parts of your pavers are missed. This type of method is the best way to get sure that you're completely covering all areas, rather than missing spots by going back and forth in a haphazard pattern.
Once the wet look sealant has been applied it will need at least 6 hours to cure (depending on the sealer used) before being exposed to water or other liquids. We recommend waiting at least 24 hours before using the pavers for anything besides walking on them when wet look sealant has been applied to your pavers.
If you're looking for a project that will make your outdoor living space much more enjoyable, consider protecting and enhancing it with a high-quality wet look sealer from Product Authority. Our wet look sealants are easy to apply and will make your pavers safe for use again after they've been coated with one of our products you can be sure that all of the steps above have been followed carefully, while also making it possible to start enjoying your new high-end looking paver surface within a few days!
Step #1: Thoroughly Clean Your Pavers
Before you even think about sealing your pavers, you need to make sure that they are completely clean. Any stains, debris, or moisture that you leave on your pavers will be trapped underneath the wet look sealant. And the whole purpose of sealing your pavers is protecting them from such things!
You can get your pavers clean via several different means. If you have access to a power washer, that's a great option for blasting away any stains. On the other hand, a good cleaning agent and a stiff bristle brush can do wonders too. It doesn't really matter how you get them clean. All that matters is that you remove any contaminants or impurities and give them enough time to dry before applying any wet look sealant for pavers.
Step #2: Sand The Joints Between Your Pavers
Once your pavers are spotless, you'll want to add any necessary joint sand. You'll want to use a mesh 30/20 medium-coarse fractured angular sand. If the sand is too fine or is a round sand it will not allow the sealer to flow into the joints locking the sand into place. Simply pour the sand into the joints and then sweep away any excess. You'll want the sand to sit about 1/8” from the top of the pavers, a 1/4″ for wider joints. Once you've gotten the sand in the paver joints and removed any remaining sand from your pavers' surfaces, you're ready to move to the application step you are ready to apply your wet look sealant for pavers.
Step #3 Apply Wet Look Sealant for Pavers
Applying wet look sealant for pavers generally works the same way as applying any other kind of sealant. You can either use a roller or a sprayer to get the sealant on the pavers. However, we recommend using a sprayer if it is all possible because a roller may leave your paver space with splotchy, uneven coverage. The only time you might have to use a roller is if your sealant is particularly thick. Though, if you go with a water-based wet-look sealant for pavers, you shouldn't have this issue.
With our paver sealer products at The Paver Sealer Store we recommend applying two coats, the first is a flood coat to lock the sand in the joints and the next is a topcoat to form a protective barrier and provide deep color enhancement.
Read 23 Reasons to Seal Pavers
Regardless of how you apply your wet look sealant for pavers, make sure to use long even strokes. That is the only way to ensure that all parts of your paver surface area are covered by the sealer. If sprayed properly, no part of a wet look sealant should end up on any other part of it!
After you've applied your flood coat of wet look sealant for pavers, it's a good idea to let it sit for 15-30 minutes or until it turns clear and tacky before applying a second coat. Once you've finished applying the necessary coats, you'll want to let it cure for at least 24 hours before resuming normal foot traffic.
That's it! The only other thing you'll want to make sure you don't forget is to check the weather before you get started. We don't recommend trying to apply a wet look sealant for pavers during inclement weather.
Our team here at The Paver Sealer Store would love to help answer questions about our products and offer advice regarding which one might work best for you and your project's needs. If you have any questions or concerns about using wet look sealant for pavers, give us a call at 813-308-9202!
The wet look sealant process isn't difficult, but there are a few things you should know before getting started. This article is designed to help guide you through the process of applying your wet look sealant for pavers and improving the appearance of your pavers. If this sounds like it might be too much work for you or if you need guidance on how to choose the right paver sealant style in order to get that perfect finish, please contact us! We can answer any questions about our product line and make sure we find something that fits within your budget while also meeting all your needs. For more information about our water-based paver sealing products click here.
We're sure you have a lot of questions. So, we made this FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) available to you all in the interest that it may be helpful for your paver sealing project and its success!
