Most homeowners consider granite pavers a suitable option for outdoor uses i.e. the areas that receive a significant foot and vehicular traffic every day. These areas need strong pavers that endure the weight and heavy movements. Sealing Granite Pavers is always recommended.
As compared to pavers, tiles are a permanent solution to your driveways and walkway paving requirements. Pavers do not need adhesives. They are placed over the layers of gravel and sand. Tiles, on the other hand, need strong adhesive. Tiles require a concrete foundation. It can be quite expensive than granite pavers. Moreover, the process of laying granite tiles is hectic and time-consuming.
Do Granite Pavers Need to be Sealed?
Natural stones used for paving require sealing. Granite pavers that are sealed keep your driveway from catching stains. It prevents liquid and oil debris, which are considered the most common causes of paver stains.
Your granite pavers tend to retain their beauty and shine for years if they are maintained and sealed properly. Sealants can be classified into two types – water sealant and resin-based sealant. The latter is an effective and permanent sealant solution. It impregnates granite pavers and keeps them from dirt and stains. You could also opt for water-based sealants. However, they tend to wear away quickly.
What is the Best Way to Seal Pavers?
The first step is to select the best paver for the stone. Make sure you wash the area that needs to be sealed thoroughly before applying sealant. It is also important to fix crooked pavers and level them. You could apply the sealer with either a roller or sprayer. Every edge and surface needs to be covered when you are applying sealant. If you have chosen thin sealers, then you could simply spray it on the pavers.
Thick sealers, on the other hand, need rollers to be applied. Either way, you should read the manufacturer’s instructions on the sealant container before getting started with the application.
How do You Seal Pavers with a Sprayer?
Thin sealers can be sprayed. Pick a wide fan spray to ensure a smoother and equal coating to the entire paver surface. We recommend bug sprayers. You can find it in a local hardware store.
Once you have washed the surface, spray the sealant on the pavers. Measure the area that needs to be sealed and seal one section at a time. For instance, you can seal the outer edges first and create a boundary. You can then divide the whole surface into 2-4 sections so that the sealant is applied to each paver. As you coat the surface with the sealant, it will get wet and darker.
How do You Apply Sealer to Granite?
Before you coat your granite surface with a sealer, test the absorbency of this stone. It is best to stick to the penetrating sealer that offers a long-term sealing solution, especially if your granite absorbs water and oil rapidly. Remember that there isn’t a stain-resistant sealant. But, a good quality sealant will allow you enough time to wipe the oil and liquid stains from the granite pavers before they are absorbed.
Start with cleaning the surface. Test the sealant in a small corner to see how it works. Coat the entire surface by applying the sealer evenly across granite pavers. Wash the surface in 20-30 minutes.
What Happens if You Seal Wet Pavers?
Whether you purchase water or resin-based sealant, make sure that you do not apply the sealant on a wet surface. Even if the surface is slightly damp, wait for it to dry. If you use a solvent-based sealer on a damp surface, there is a good chance it will end up in a milky surface.
You have to wash the surface thoroughly before applying a sealant. However, do not coat the wet surface instantly. Wait for some time or at least until it dries. Experts suggest sealant should not be applied to wet pavers, such as the pavers around your swimming pool.
Is Sealing Pavers a Good Idea?
Pavers sealing is the last step of your granite paver installation procedure. Once you have laid the pavers on a strong foundation, the next step is to search for a quality sealant. Not only does it prolong the life o your granite pavers, but effective sealing can enhance the appearance of the surface and make them strong enough to endure oil and liquid stains.
Sealing your granite or natural stone pavers is one of the best steps you could take to ensure the longevity of the pavers. Sealed pavers tend to last long. They offer high durability.
Are Granite Paving Tiles Porous?
Granite paving tiles tend to absorb liquid stains faster than other materials. While granite is an effective and robust material for pavers, we can’t neglect the fact that it is porous. This means your granite pavers are likely to absorb a considerable amount of moisture if they are installed in a wet area like near your swimming pool. The sooner your granite slabs absorb water and liquid stains, the weaker they get over time. This not only affects their durability but makes granite pavers look unsightly.
It is, therefore, important to seal the granite slabs with an effective sealant to increase their lifespan.
Does Sealing Pavers Make them Darker?
Sealers are designed to preserve the shine, color, and beauty of the pavers. When it is applied on the surface, it makes the pavers a little darker. Depending on the original color of the pavers, there is a good chance the coated granite slabs will turn your granite pavers darker. But, that only helps retain the beauty of your pavers.
The darker color looks far better than lighter tones. In fact, some homeowners use sealers to darken the color of the stone. These pavers have more sheen as compared to their lighter counterparts.
What Happens If You Don’t Seal Granite?
The main purpose of sealing granite is to keep the liquid and oil stains from permeating deep into the stone. Granite tends to absorb liquid stains faster than other paver materials. If the water spills and other such stains are penetrated into the stone, they will leave a stubborn dirt mark on the paver’s surface. This could be a light mark that’s almost invisible to your eyes or a strong and stubborn stain that gives your pavers a dirty appearance.
If you don’t seal granite, the liquid and oil stains will permeate into the material, making it weaker and unsightly.
Conclusion
With such variations in the hues offered by granite, make use of reliable granite pavers wholesale services in Australia for your landscaping or home design project. Granite Pavers Australia deliver granite tiles and pavers all across Australia (Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide and Hobart). Get tiles from Australia’s best Natural stone Tile Suppliers.
We provide EXPRESS POSTED FREE SAMPLES + FREE QUOTE + FREE EXPERT STONEMASON ADVICE for all your tiling need. Get in touch with us today!
