Achieving The Best Results Using Paving Slab Sealant
22nd July 2020Have you installed paving before? There’s nothing better than looking at your finished piece of work and being proud at the quality of job. So long as you’ve used a paving slab sealant, you’ll be left with long-lasting results which will look fantastic for years to come. But if you’ve omitted this final step, you’ll find that your luxury paving installation will begin to appear quite worn in a short space of time. Follow this guide to achieving the best results by using reliable paving slab sealant to complete your project.
What are the benefits of using paving slab sealant?
When you opt to apply paving slab sealant on top of your finished installation, you can be confident that you’ll avoid the following types of wear and tear:
- Algae, mildew and mould – as your paving slab sealant will provide a water resistant surface, these types of algae and lichens will be prevented from taking root.
- Faded paving stones – UV sunlight can cause natural damage to stone that is laid outdoors. Your quality paving slab sealant will prevent those harmful rays from touching the stone, which preserves the integrity and colour of your stonework.
- Weed growth – if you’ve previously had problems with weeds growing between the cracks in your paving stones, you’ll know how annoying this is. A coat of paving slab sealant entirely prevents weeds from taking root here.
- Loss of jointing sand – this essential material can easily be swept away over time. Seal it in place and you can be assured your paving installation will be built to last.
- Dirt and stains – if you spill something on sealed paving stone, it will simply wipe clean. But stone which hasn’t been adequately protected with paving slab sealant will absorb spills, dirt or other detritus, which can permanently affect the appearance of your finished work.
Now that you’re aware of the importance of using paving slab sealer to protect your installation, follow these tips to ensure you get the most out of the application.
Preparation stages
Before you begin sealing your stone or concrete, it’s really important to remove any debris or stains from the surface, otherwise you’ll be sealing these in too. You should wash your paving and allow to dry thoroughly. If any excess water has pooled on top of the stone, you should remove this using a sponge or squeegee as required. Only once the surface is dry, should you begin to sweep away any remaining debris that may be scattered across the top. When you’re confident that your paving installation is smooth and dirt-free, then you can begin to test out your paving slab sealant.
Testing out your paving slab sealer
If you’ve used paving slab sealant before on this type of installation, then you may not wish to spend time testing out the product before application. This step is certainly optional, but may be useful if you wish to practice out the steps, or if you would like to gain an idea of the finished appearance before you coat the entire surface. During the testing stage, you may discover that your paving stones are quite porous, in which case you’ll know to use more of the paving slab sealant to obtain the results you’re looking for.
Stripping back previous paving slab sealant
If your current paving installation has previously had another type of sealant on it, particularly if it’s a different brand, then you should look to remove this before beginning with your new coat. Otherwise you might experience compatibility issues with the previous type of stone sealer which could result in a finished appearance that doesn’t shine as well as it could. Our paving slab sealant is designed to preserve your installation and refresh older stonework. To provide the best results, it’s essential that you put effort into the prep stages of your sealing project.
FAQ’s
What types of paving can Resiblock sealant be used on?
Resiblock Trade block paving sealer can be used on both internal and external applications to protect paving of any type. Our range of sealants can be used in either domestic or commercial paving projects which makes them a one-stop solution suitable for any type of stone flooring. Whether you have existing paving to enhance or a brand-new installation to safeguard, our paving slab sealant is the perfect choice for both DIYers as well as trade professionals.
What are the best conditions to apply paving slab sealant in?
Your paving will need to be entirely dry and clean before you can begin to apply your slab sealant. If your installation is brand new, then ideally you should wait a minimum of 8 weeks before sealing. However, with existing paving, you can begin as soon as the area has been thoroughly prepared. Once you have applied the coat of paving slab sealant, you can expect it to dry out in as little as 24 hours so long as the conditions are favourable. This means applying it in temperatures of between 5 and 30 degrees Celsius and avoiding rain.
How do you apply paving slab sealant?
Our paving slab sealant range is designed with ease of use in mind. Following the cleaning and preparation steps outlined above, as well as testing if required, it’s time to apply a coat of sealer across the surface of your flooring. You might choose a squeegee, roller or brush to carefully move the solution across the desired area. Take care to check that your paving joints are entirely saturated. This will ensure that you’re rewarded with an even application and will provide an extra layer of protection to this all-important area. If pools of sealant form across the top of your paving, then make sure you roll these out to eradicate the extra fluid. The final step is to leave your sealant to dry.
If you have any questions about using Resiblock paving slab sealant, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our experienced customer service team. Contact us on 01268 273344. .