Paving stones are a robust floor covering. Nevertheless, sealing the surfaces can prevent damage and reduce the effort required for maintenance.

In a nutshell

  • Sealing protects the pavers from deep soiling and makes cleaning easier
  • biological agents are particularly environmentally friendly
  • Owners should seal their pavers in the spring or summer
  • thorough cleaning is required before sealing
  • Entry is only possible after the surface has dried

waterproofing and sealing

The terms impregnation and sealing are often mentioned in the same breath. However, these are basically two different treatments, both of which have the same purpose. These are intended to prevent dirt from penetrating into the small pores of the stones. Dirt or moss has a harder time anchoring itself to the paving stones. As a result, you can clean your stones more easily.
Impregnation is a process that repels dirt but lets water vapor through. In contrast, sealing is a process in which the paving stones are completely sealed. Unevenness disappears and the stones get a special shine.

Point of time

Over time, professional cleaning of the paving slabs is required. Most owners clean the paved areas around the house and garden at least once a year. Such a process is of comparatively little use during the winter season. Road salt, ice and snow impair the protection of the stones. As a result, spring is the best time to seal the pavers.

Notice: Spring cleaning and sealing the pavers should be done at the same time. When the frost is over you can seal your pavers.

In the case of freshly laid stones, you should seal them immediately after laying them. The right time is before grouting begins.

The advantages

Sealing the paving stones offers several advantages, which is why most owners decide to do this:

  • no dirt particles penetrate
  • easier cleaning
  • higher frost resistance
  • shiny surface

Which stones?

Sealing the patch is not mandatory. Without protective measures, most paved surfaces will last for decades. The permanent protection is nevertheless suitable for all natural and concrete stones for which you want to reduce the cleaning effort.

Notice: The stain test provides information as to whether sealing is required. Dampen a cotton cloth and place it on the stone. If this gets dirty after 20 minutes, sealing is advisable.

Appropriate means

To seal the paving stones, you can use different means. These are often special products that are suitable for certain paving stones. These are based on epoxy resin or dispersion. In addition, nano-effects, which allow the water to roll off, are becoming increasingly popular.

Sidewalk paving stones without moss growth

Biological or chemical?

Again and again the question arises whether a biological or chemical approach is advisable. Organic means are environmentally friendly and value the environment. These are particularly suitable for removing moss, algae or fungi. However, in practice, chemical means for sealing are more widespread.

The materials

If you want to seal your paving stones, you should first get all the necessary materials. These include the following:

  • roller or brush
  • bucket
  • sealing
  • broom
  • spatula, root brush, joint crater
  • pavement cleaner

The cleaning

The first thing to do is to clean the cobblestones. Thorough cleaning is the be-all and end-all. Finally, you preserve the current condition of the stones when you seal the paving stones. Consequently, you should first sweep them off and remove all dirt. Use a spatula or joint scraper to thoroughly clean the paving joints. The following home remedies can help you if the dirt is particularly stubborn:

  • soda
  • soft soap
  • vinegar
  • baking soda

Notice: After cleaning, the paved surface must dry. You can only start sealing when it is dry and the weather is good.

It is recommended not to use a high-pressure cleaner to clean the pavers.

Sealing: The Guide

The floor dried after cleaning. You can then seal the paving stones. Use a roller or brush for this. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the quantity and spread the material onto the paving stones. Then wait for the patch to dry before stepping on it again.

Tip: The better the weather, the easier it is to seal. At high temperatures, the floor dries faster after cleaning and sealing.

experiences

Benefit from the experiences that others have already had with sealing their paving stones. We have researched for you.

Notice: For reasons of better legibility, small spelling mistakes (spaces, transposed letters, etc.) in the quotations have been corrected. The exact sources are linked under the indication of the respective forum.

Impregnation protects against weather influences, new growth of moss, algae and fungi and prevents cracks and cracks in the surface caused by frost. In addition, an impregnated surface is largely protected against oil and grease stains and is therefore easier to remove. Impregnation provides invisible protection without changing the appearance of the surface. Especially in the garden you should pay attention to an environmentally friendly impregnation. The application is super easy and the results are just great.

Source: www.hobby-gartenteich.de; User: Jonas1975; Date: 05/12/2016

I don't believe in chic surfaces or impregnations. Moss likes it moist and shady. Appropriate bedding and jointing material can be used to remedy the damp condition. All surfaces of concrete blocks change their color. From an optical point of view, you should not only consider the surface and color of the stones, but also the laying bond.

Source: www.bauexpertenforum.de; User: alex2008; Date: 01/25/2008

Especially since many microorganisms are dependent on the natural covering of stones and wood and impregnations destroy everything indiscriminately, extensively and in the long term. In this respect, I think manual cleaning is better where it is important to you.

Source: www.hobby-gartenteich.de; User: tanny; Date: 05/12/2016

frequently asked Questions

Can I clean the patch with a high-pressure cleaner?

In principle, the stones can be cleaned with a high-pressure cleaner. However, you must keep an eye on the surface of the stones. In the case of sensitive patches, the hard jet can destroy the surface or dissolve the protection.

How expensive is sealing the stones?

In general, one liter of material is required for 10 square meters of plaster. The price of the material depends on the quality. Average products cost double digits. High-quality solutions with UV sealing can also cost over 100 euros.

Do I need to reseal the patch?

The protection provided by the seal degrades over time. Consequently, owners should reseal their stones every three years. The durability differs depending on the medium. You can use the information provided by the manufacturer as a guide.

Category:

Garden design