Choices of paving sealant for driveways, patios and block paving
Gleam Team Cleaning Services & Garden Maintenance – 07581 681994, Email: gleamteam@contractor.net or Contact Us
Paving sealers provide a protective barrier across the surface and can be applied to almost any type of paving including Indian Sandstone, limestone, concrete slabs, pattern imprinted concrete and block paving.
Depending on the type and quality of the sealant they can
- ease the removal of oil
- protect against BBQ fats, food and drink spillages
- inhibit weed growth
- inhibit lichen and other biological growths
- protect against UV fading
- stabilise block paving sand
Sealants should be applied after first pressure cleaning a driveway or patio and allowing it to dry.
It should be noted that if a surface has previously had a sealant applied to it then care should be taken if using a different product. This is because the new sealer might not properly adhere to the old one and peel off.
The main types of sealer are usually water based, acrylic or polyurethane.
Water based sealers
All paving sealers contain resin but instead of being mixed with solvents, water based sealers are blended with water which makes them more environmentally friendly. They are ideal for interior use as there are no harmful fumes given off and they are not flammable. Water based sealer are also usually considerably cheaper than acrylic or polyurethane.
They are quick and easy to apply and spillages and tools can be cleaned without difficulty.
On the downside, they are not as penetrative and therefore offer less protection and need to be reapplied more often than other sealers.
Acrylic Sealer
Acrylic sealant has a lower resin content and a softer resin than polyurethane. They offer good all round protection against UV fading, food and drink stains and dirt but are less effective than polyurethanes in protecting against oil.
They are cheaper than polyurethane and will probably need sealing again after 2 or 3 years.
Like water based sealers it is also easy to apply and clean up.
Polyurethane Sealer
Polyurethanes are the most effective and expensive paving sealants and last approximately 5 years before needing to be reapplied.
They offer excellent protection against all kinds of staining, including oil and petrol, and can prevent weed growth and colonisation by lichens, moss and algae.
They have a higher resin content and can be exteremly difficult to remove from clothing or areas it accidentally comes into contact with.
Polyurethane sealer is the best sand stabiliser in block paving making the sand very hard and long lasting.
They are also the best colour enhancing sealers if looking for a gloss or sheen on paving.
A good quality polyurethane sealant is likely to be at least twice the cost or more of a cheaper water based product but also much longer lasting and effective. You get what you pay for.
See our cleaning and sealing content hub for more details.
Exterior Cleaning Services in Maidstone, Kent & London
Gleam Team Cleaning Services are based in Maidstone and operate throughout the south east. We exterior cleaning specialists and our services include exterior building cleaning, soft washing, roof cleaning and moss removal and fascia, soffit and cladding cleaning.
Our driveway and patio cleaning service and block paving cleaning,resanding and sealing is available in Maidstone, Medway, Gravesend, Sittingbourne, Ashford, Tonbridge, Bromley and London.
For further information on any of our services please call 07581 681994 or email using Contact Us