If you’ve just finished off your beautiful new patio and you’re wondering what to do next, you might want to consider sealing the pavers. This is something that can act as a decent finish for the paving, but not everyone wants to do it. More to the point, it is not even always possible. To help you make your choice, we are going to take a look here at some of the major pros and cons of sealing pavers. This should help you to decide what you want to do, and how to approach it.
Before Sealing Pavers at Home
First, before making any decisions, you need to know whether you are actually able to seal your pavers at all. It’s not always possible, and it’s certainly not always advisable even where it is possible. As a general rule, however, sealing is recommended. But you need to make sure you have the right type of paving, and you need to decide between using a penetrating sealer or a wet look sealer, for aesthetic as well as other purposes.
Once you are sure of those decisions, you can start thinking about the pros and cons of sealing home pavers in general.
The Pros
So what are some of the pros of sealing pavers at home? There are a few, including the following important ones.
Aesthetic Improvement
Many people prefer the look of pavers that have been properly sealed. Without sealing, your paving might be missing something you can’t quite put your finger on.
Protection
Sealing pavers also protects them against things like stains, work accidents, and food, as well as from the natural elements to a degree. That helps keep them in good nick for a longer time.
Maintenance
It also makes them easier to maintain in the long run, partly because it helps with the proper drainage of rain from the paving slabs. That means less moss growing between the cracks, which is really important to keep them in good repair.
The Cons
However, there are certainly some downsides to sealing pavers, and these are the main ones to consider.
Cost
It will cost you to seal pavers, though the price is not extortionate. However, if you are on a tight budget, you may choose to forgo the sealing process to help things along financially.
Contamination
Nearby plants can sometimes get contaminated by the sealer, even if you are careful. At the least, you might find a nearby lawn has trouble with it.
Appearance Change
Although some like the aesthetic change, as we saw above, that’s not true of everyone. So you need to make sure that you are genuinely happy with how it looks, otherwise, you might regret it.
As you can see, there are ups and downs when it comes to sealing pavers, and the pros and cons are clear. Make sure you are making your decision carefully, and always remember that you can seek the advice of professionals if you are keen to make the right decision. That will always help.