9 easy steps to sealing natural stone using stone sealer

If you have natural stone pavers around your property, then you know how important it is to care for the stone to keep your landscaping looking its best. Though relatively low maintenance, if the pavers haven’t been sealed, however, you will find that they lose their beauty and elegance over time.

With these 9 easy steps, you can protect your natural stone using stone sealer in no time!

1. Ensure that the pavers have been laid correctly from the beginning, as this will ensure that the sealing process goes smoothly. Take all the time you need and don’t rush – this goes for sealing, too.

2. Before you begin sealing, ensure that the surface of the pavers is clear of any dirt and debris. Only use cleaning products that are pH neutral or that have been specially formulated for natural stone. Acid cleaning equipment should be avoided at all costs (it can corrode the stone if left on the surface for too long).

3. Always inspect the current condition of the pavers. This is important, as they are known to shift overnight, making them uneven. Be sure to even them out and straighten them up before proceeding.

4. Once you’ve ensured that the pavers are even, you will need to re-grout any joints that make sounds when you place pressure on them. This doesn’t really sound like a lot of work, but you might be surprised at how much time you actually spend re-grouting wobbly joints.

5. This is the step that most people struggle with the most, as you have to take a break! Protecting natural stone using stone sealer only works if the pavers aren’t wet, so you need to let them dry for a day or two before sealing them.

6. During this time, it’s a good idea to choose out your sealer. The best ones are usually water based, but you should always check with an expert to see what they recommend prior to application. Other types of sealer include oil-based and high gloss.

7. It is essential that you read and follow the instructions that the manufacturer has provided on the sealer you have selected. Some products will require a slightly different application method.

8. Now you can begin applying the sealer. There are many different ways that these products can be applied; the one you ultimately select will depend on how rough or smooth the surface of your pavers are. It’s not an overly complicated process, but there are a few tricks to getting it right and not putting too much on at once.

9. Finally, you can complete some basic maintenance. Remove any leaves that accumulate so that they don’t cause staining and ensure that you clean up any spill as soon as possible.

We hope that you found the above steps useful for correctly protecting your natural stone with stone sealer, ensuring they continue to look their best for many years to come. It is important to remember that, just because the pavers have been sealed, it doesn’t mean you can ignore them. Your alfresco area will still require occasional maintenance to keep it in tiptop condition.