Paver and Stone Care Glossary

A

ASTM C144 joint sand

Washed, screened, and dried sand that meets the ASTM C144 gradation standard. Its coarse, angular grains lock together in paver joints better than fine or rounded sand. See Paver Joint Sand

B

Bedding sand

The 1 to 2 inch layer of sand that pavers sit in, on top of the compacted base. See Understanding Brick Paver Installations

Breathable sealer

A sealer that lets moisture vapor escape from below, so it won't trap water or efflorescence and turn cloudy. See The Best Paver Sealer for Florida: What Actually Matters

Brushed travertine

Travertine with a textured, wire-brushed surface that offers good grip, popular for pool decks. See Types of Travertine for Patios and Pool Decks

C

Compacted base

The layer of crushed stone under the bedding sand that carries the load. A soft or washed-out base causes pavers to sink. See Paver Repairs and Leveling

Coping

The stones or pavers that cap the edge of a pool. Coping gets the most splash and salt exposure. See Travertine and Marble Repairs and Leveling

Coquina

A soft, porous natural stone made of compressed shells, used on Florida patios and pool decks. See Shellstone and Coquina: How to Clean and Seal Them

D

Dilution rate

How much water is mixed into a concentrated sealer. With Hurricane CAT 5, the dilution rate (D1 or D2) sets the sheen and joint stabilization strength. See Trident Hurricane CAT 5 Paver Sealer

E

Edge restraint

The border that keeps a paver field from spreading. A failed edge restraint lets pavers shift and gaps open. See Understanding Brick Paver Installations

Efflorescence

A white, powdery haze of natural salts carried to the surface of pavers, stone, or mortar by moisture. It must be removed before sealing. See Efflorescence on Pavers and Travertine

Enhancing sealer

A sealer that deepens color, making pavers or stone look richer, like when they're wet. See Joint Sand Colors and Sealer Finishes

Etching

Dull spots on marble, limestone, or travertine caused by acids such as vinegar, citrus, or some rust removers. See Limestone and Marble Cleaning and Sealing

F

Filled travertine

Travertine whose natural holes are filled with resin or cement for a smoother, more uniform surface. See Types of Travertine for Patios and Pool Decks

Film-forming sealer

A sealer that leaves a protective layer on the surface. Wet look and joint-stabilizing sealers are film-forming. See Penetrating Sealers for Stone and Pavers

H

Honed travertine

Travertine with a smooth, matte finish and no shine. See Types of Travertine for Patios and Pool Decks

J

Joint stabilization

Hardening the sand between pavers, usually with a joint-stabilizing sealer, so it resists washout, weeds, and insects. See Brick Paver Cleaning & Sealing in Tampa Bay

N

Natural finish

A sealer finish that protects without adding shine or changing the color. See Wet Look vs. Natural Paver Sealer: How to Choose

P

Penetrating sealer

A sealer that soaks into the pores and bonds below the surface instead of forming a film, so it stays invisible and won't peel. See Penetrating Sealers for Stone and Pavers

pH-neutral cleaner

A cleaner that is neither acidic nor strongly alkaline, safe for natural stone like marble and travertine. See Travertine Care Guide for Florida Pool Decks

Polymeric sand

Joint sand mixed with polymers that harden when activated with water, forming a firm but flexible joint. See Polymeric Sand vs. Joint-Stabilizing Sealer

S

Sandblasted marble

Marble with a textured, matte surface created by blasting, offering better grip than polished stone. See Sandblasted Marble: Benefits, Cleaning, and Sealing

Sealer stripping

Removing old, failed sealer that is cloudy, white, or peeling, so the surface can be cleaned and resealed. See Brick Paver and Travertine Sealer Stripping

Shellstone

A shell-based natural stone, popular around Florida pools, that is soft and very porous. See Shellstone and Coquina: How to Clean and Seal Them

Silane/siloxane

The chemistry used in many penetrating sealers, such as Trident Break Wall and Sea Wall, to repel water and salt from inside the surface. See Marble and Natural Stone Sealing Products

Slip-resistant additive

A fine grit mixed into sealer to add texture and grip, especially on pool decks and walkways. See Slip Resistant Sealing Add-On

Spalling

Small flakes or chips breaking off the surface of stone or pavers, often from salt crystals forming inside. See Travertine Around Salt Water Pools: What You Need to Know

Surface cleaner

A spinning, round pressure-washing attachment that cleans flat surfaces evenly without stripes. See Professional Paver Cleaning in Tampa Bay

T

Tumbled travertine

Travertine with rounded edges and a weathered texture, popular for pool areas and walkways. See Types of Travertine for Patios and Pool Decks

Two-part urethane sealer

A sealer mixed from two components that cure into a very durable film, like Trident Hurricane CAT 5. See Trident Hurricane CAT 5 Paver Sealer

V

VOC

Volatile organic compounds, the solvents that evaporate from some sealers. Water-based sealers are typically low VOC.

W

Wet look

A glossy sealer finish that deepens color and makes pavers look like they just got rained on. See Wet Look vs. Natural Paver Sealer: How to Choose

Wet sanding

Washing joint sand into paver joints with water for tighter compaction than dry sweeping. The sand dries quickly before sealing. See Our Paver Sealing Process, Step by Step