Home Owner – FAQs
What makes Sealforce sealers so great anyways?
Firstly, Sealforce only uses industrial grade sealants that are of the highest quality. All of these sealants are low VOC solvent based or using 100% active agents like silane in the case of our Natural Finish. These sealants last up to 5 years in most cases.
Most importantly they allow the substrate to breathe but at the same time protect from stains, particularly grease based stains. Our sealers do not cause a film thereby keeping the aesthetic of the substrate looking as natural as possible. In other words they respect the aesthetic of the substrate while at the same time protecting it. Our sealers do not crack, peel, turn yellow or give the substrate a plastic look, like the high gloss sealers on the market.
What does sealing do for pavers, concrete or natural stone?
Sealforce’s sealers are meant to protect porous materials from natural elements (i.e. rain, sun, etc.) and any type of staining. Our sealers are designed specifically to protect from oil penetration. Our sealers create an invisible barrier at a molecular level so that the porous material repels water, oil and anything else you might accidentally drop on your driveway or pool deck, so long as you wash it clean as soon as you notice it. In most cases though, rain will take away the stain.
Sealing also preserves the porous materials natural beauty for years to come. Sealing helps prevent ants and weeds, but is not guaranteed to eliminate them.
How long does the process take?
It’s usually a 2-day process (weather permitting of course) or sometimes longer if the square footage is greater than 6000 square feet. The first day, we apply an organic acid wash that is safe for plants, pets and people. We do our best to remove stains but it is always advised not to wait too long after new construction to seal. The second day, given that the surface to be sealed is completely dry, our sealer is either sprayed or rolled on.
Will sealing my pavers or porous material make them shine?
Sealforce gives three finishes for the clients approval.
- An invisible Natural Finish
- WetLook “Flat” finish (color enhancer with no shine)
- WetLook “Semi Gloss” (color enhance with mid gloss shine)
Sealforce will not apply a High Gloss sealer as this makes the substrate slippery, non breathable and does not respect the aesthetic of the substrate.
Sealing is made to protect the pavers and also to preserve their beauty. When a Wetlook sealer is applied, it darkens the original colors. Sometimes you might get the pavers to create a semi gloss shine, but it depends on your pavers’ colors. Darker colors tend to have a more noticeable sheen then lighter ones.
Before a decision is reached Sealforce will provide a free quote, and three of the sealer finishes for the client’s approval.
How can you tell if you need to reseal your pavers or porous material?
A simple test can help you tell if you need sealing or not, but it’s not the only one. Turn on your water hose and watch water bead up on the surface. If water is not beading and looks like it’s soaking in, you might need to seal again.
How often do I need to reseal my pavers or porous material?
On a horizontal application we recommend sealing every 4-5 years. For vertical application sometimes not for 10 years.
Usually with Sealforce sealers they should last between 3-5 years depending on the care given to the area, the traffic, and the elements (i.e. rain, sun etc.). In addition, the quality of the pavers and the condition of the pavers play a role in the longevity.
I had my pavers or porous material sealed before but there is a white cloudy film on the surface, can it be fixed?
There are two reasons cause a white cloudy film to appear on your pavers:
The number one reason is due to a cheap product being used. If too much cheap sealer is applied, the paver becomes saturated with the product and becomes white. Don’t let anyone use a cheap sealer on your pavers! We would recommend leaving your pavers bare rather than coat them with a cheap sealer.
The number two reason is saturation with a good product. If after pressure cleaning, the job is not given time enough to dry completely, the sealer then traps moisture inside the paver. When that moisture tries to escape it is blocked by the sealer and causes that white look you notice. In most cases, we can apply a solvent which re-wets the sealer and allows this moisture vapor to escape.
What am I to expect when you come to pressure clean and seal my pavers?
The pressure cleaning and sealing process takes two days. All work will be completed weather permitting. If we are to do work around a pool, great care will be taken in keeping your pool clean, but even though we are careful your pool will be subject to debris (i.e. sand, dirt, etc.) from pressure cleaning. If you have a cover for the pool, we will gladly use it. We suggest scheduling your pool company to inspect your filters and clean your pool after we complete the job. In addition, some covered pools have taken 2-7 days to dry from pressure washing before the sealer could be applied.
We will contact you on date work is to be performed but cannot give you a specific time of start due to different variable. Please feel free to contact us for any other questions or concerns you may have.