Your paver driveway or patio was a major investment. Here's everything you need to know about sealing it properly to protect that investment for years to come.
Paver driveways, patios, and walkways are one of the most popular hardscaping investments on Long Island — and for good reason. They're beautiful, durable, and add significant value to your property. A well-installed paver driveway can cost $15,000-$40,000 or more, depending on size and material.
But here's what many homeowners don't realize: without proper sealing and maintenance, your pavers will deteriorate faster than they should. Fading, weed growth, ant hills, shifting, and staining are all preventable with professional paver sealing.
This guide covers everything you need to know — from why sealing matters to how the process works, what finish to choose, and when to schedule it.
Unsealed pavers are exposed to everything Long Island's climate throws at them: UV radiation, rain, freeze-thaw cycles, salt, oil, and organic growth. Over time, this exposure causes:
A quality paver sealer addresses every one of these problems by creating a protective barrier on the surface and stabilizing the joint sand.
Proper paver sealing isn't a DIY spray-and-go job. It's a multi-step process that requires professional equipment, experience, and the right products. Here's how we do it at Best Power Wash LI:
We start with a thorough pressure wash to remove all dirt, algae, moss, weeds, and staining from the paver surface and joints. This is critical — sealing over dirty pavers locks in the contamination permanently.
Old, deteriorated joint sand is removed and joints are cleared of debris. This ensures the new polymeric sand can fully fill and bond within the joints.
Pavers must be completely dry before sealing. We typically allow 24-48 hours of drying time after cleaning, weather dependent. Sealing damp pavers causes hazing, whitening, and sealer failure.
We install premium polymeric sand into all joints. This specialized sand hardens when activated with water, locking pavers together and preventing weed growth, ant infiltration, and sand washout. Learn more in our polymeric sand guide.
We apply a professional-grade paver sealer using specialized spray equipment for even, consistent coverage. Two thin coats are applied for optimal protection and appearance. Your choice of wet-look or matte finish.
The sealer needs 24 hours to cure. During this time, the area should be kept dry and free of foot/vehicle traffic. Full hardness develops over 72 hours.
This is the most common question we get. Both finishes provide the same level of protection — the difference is purely aesthetic:
Not sure which to choose? Read our detailed wet-look vs matte comparison guide for real-world recommendations based on your specific situation.
On Long Island, we recommend resealing pavers every 3-5 years, depending on:
Signs it's time to reseal: water no longer beads on the surface, colors appear faded, weeds are returning in joints, or the surface looks dry and unprotected.
If you're considering DIY paver sealing, be aware of these common mistakes that cause expensive problems:
Professional paver sealing on Long Island typically costs $2.00-$4.00 per square foot, depending on the scope of work. This includes cleaning, joint sand, and sealer. For a typical 500 sq ft patio, expect $1,000-$2,000. For a full driveway (800-1,200 sq ft), expect $1,600-$4,800.
When you consider that a full paver replacement costs $20-$40+ per square foot, maintaining your existing pavers with periodic sealing is one of the smartest home maintenance investments you can make.
Need paver repair before sealing? We handle that too — including leveling, replacing damaged pavers, and fixing drainage issues.