We strip and redo a lot of paver jobs done by others. Most failures come from the same handful of mistakes.
1. Sealing Over Dirt and Stains
Sealer locks in whatever is on the surface. Rust, mildew, and efflorescence have to be treated first.
2. Skipping the Joint Sand
Cleaning removes sand from the joints. Without refilling them, the sealer has nothing to harden, and pavers start to shift. We wash in ASTM C144 joint sand for tight compaction.
3. One Heavy Coat (or One Thin Coat)
Too thin and it's gone in months. Too heavy and it can look cloudy and feel slippery. Two properly diluted coats is the standard for joint-stabilizing sealers.
4. the Wrong Sealer for the Surface
A wet-look urethane is great on concrete pavers but not recommended for marble or polished stone. Natural stone needs a breathable sealer.
5. Sealing Over Failed Sealer
If the old sealer is peeling or white, new sealer won't fix it. It needs paver stripping first.
6. Sealing Over Sunken Pavers
Sealer locks low spots in place. Fix them first with paver repairs and leveling.
Most of these start as weekend projects. See DIY paver sealing vs. hiring a pro, and if your sealer has already failed, compare stripping and resealing vs. replacing pavers.
Two more to avoid: recoating over failed sealer (see sealing over old paver sealer) and using the wrong cleaner (see safe paver cleaning chemicals).
Search no further. Schedule your paver maintenance or restoration service with Paver Sealing FL. Steve and Sam cleaned, filled and sealed our driveway and lanai. They were timely, communicated well, informative and careful with our property. Not to mention, they are genuinely nice people. They’re officially on our contact list for future services. Highly recommend.
The Biggest Paver Sealing Mistakes We Fix FAQs
Why does my sealer look cloudy?
Usually because moisture or efflorescence was trapped, or too much sealer was applied. It often has to be stripped and redone.
Can I fix a bad sealing job without stripping?
Sometimes, if the sealer is sound but thin. Peeling, white, or sticky sealer almost always needs to be stripped first.
Is a cheaper quote always worse?
Not always, but ask what's included. Most low quotes skip deep cleaning, joint sand, or the second coat.