How Often Should You Seal Pavers in Florida?

Sealing protects pavers from stains, fading and weeds, and it locks the joint sand in place. In Florida, the strong sun, heavy summer rain and salt air near the coast wear sealer down faster than in cooler climates. So how often should you do it?

The short answer: every two to three years

For most Florida driveways, patios and pool decks, plan to reseal every two to three years. A few things change that:

• Full sun all day: lean toward two years. UV light breaks sealer down.
• Driveways with daily car traffic: tires scuff the surface, so two years is typical.
• Pool decks: pool water and chemicals add wear. Check every year.
• Shaded patios with light use: three years or more is often fine.
• Coastal homes: salt air and sand are abrasive, so check yearly.

Signs it is time to reseal

• Water no longer beads. Pour a little water on the pavers. If it soaks in and darkens the stone quickly, the sealer is worn.
• Colors look faded or chalky. Sealer brings out color; when it wears off, pavers look dull.
• Joint sand washes out after rain, or weeds and ants appear between pavers.
• Stains set in fast. Oil, leaves and rust marks soak in instead of wiping up.

Do not seal too often

More is not better. Adding coats while the old sealer is still in good shape can build up a thick film that turns cloudy or white (often called blushing), especially in humid weather. If the surface still beads water, wait.

How to make your sealer last longer

• Rinse pavers every few months to remove dirt and sand.
• Clean up oil, rust and leaf stains quickly.
• Keep sprinklers with well water off the pavers if you can: iron in the water causes orange rust stains.
• Avoid harsh chemicals and very high pressure when cleaning sealed pavers.

Do it yourself or hire a pro?

Sealing is a job many homeowners can do with the right weather (no rain for 24 hours, dry pavers) and the right sealer. A pro brings the right cleaning equipment, can re-sand the joints with polymeric sand, and knows how to avoid streaks and blushing. If your pavers need a deep clean, joint repair or old sealer stripped first, a pro usually saves time and mistakes.

Ready to get it done? Post your job for free and local paver sealing pros send you bids, or browse sealers and applicators in the CSI Store.