Why Paver Sealing Is a Must-Have for Florida Homeowners: Protect Your Investment?
Florida is a magnificent state located on the ocean coast. It has a fairly humid climate, many sunny days, but also fairly regular rainfall. Such features of the local nature affect the condition of your property, including the local area. More and more Florida residents are thinking about sealing paving slabs.
Today, this is not a whim and is not recommended, but a necessity. This makes it possible to preserve the appearance of the local area, extend the service life of the tile and protect from excessive water and high humidity.
Why Do You Need Tile Sealing?
There are many reasons to carry out such work in the local area. This is protection from the climate, weeds, insects, maintaining the appearance, improving the overall condition of the landscape design, and so on. It is important not only why this is done, but who and how will do the work. If you contact a paver sealing contractor, this will allow you to carry out high-quality processing and achieve the desired result.
Next, we will consider in more detail the question of what sealing paving slabs gives and why such processing is so important for owners of private houses in Florida.
Climate Protection
Paving slabs are equally exposed to strong solar radiation and high humidity. Both of these climatic factors are relevant for Florida.
Sun rays cause the surface to fade, which is why the coating eventually becomes dull and unsightly. Excessive moisture leads to the appearance of fungus, mold, sand washing out between the seams and to the final damage to the structure.
Sealing is an opportunity to apply a special protective layer to the tile, which will minimize the negative impact of solar radiation and precipitation.
Insect and Weed Control
If the seams between the tiles are not treated in a timely and high-quality manner, over time weeds will begin to grow there, harmful insects will start to appear. A special sealant allows you to fill this space, which will prevent plant seeds from getting there, insects and other pests from penetrating. This procedure also simplifies further care of the adjacent territory.
Improved Appearance
Many homeowners in Florida care about the appearance of their surrounding area. With the help of sealant treatment, the tiles will become more saturated in color, and will get a slight white effect. The coating emphasizes the texture, and has a positive effect on external perception. This is especially important for those who like to take care of the house, are fond of landscape design or are preparing the house for sale.
Easy Care and Cleaning of Contamination
The protective coating ensures less visible contamination on the surface and in the tile joints. Any dirt is easily washed off with ordinary water or swept away with soft brushes. Therefore, you will have to spend less time and effort on maintaining the site and will allow you to maintain the surrounding area in excellent condition.
Extended Service Life
Due to the periodic application of protective sealants, paving slabs are less susceptible to wear and mechanical damage under the influence of various factors, including nature. Therefore, you will not have to spend money on expensive repairs, change tiles.
What Products Are Used to Seal Tiles
When processing paving slabs, it is important to understand what kind of sealants can be used and what their distinctive features are. Let’s consider several of the most common and widely used materials.
- Acrylic compounds. They are versatile and affordable, and can be used in almost any conditions. When applied to the surface of the tile, a protective film is formed that enhances the color and adds shine;
- Polyurethane sealants. The main advantage of this material is durability and increased strength. An effective sealant against moisture, ultraviolet radiation and oil. Relevant if the parking area in the house is made of paving slabs.
- Water-based sealants. Due to the water base, such compounds are virtually odorless, very easy to apply and dry quickly. But they can only be used in residential areas. Water-based sealants are not suitable for outdoor use.
- Solvent-based sealants. Such compounds are able to penetrate deep into the structure of the material, which allows you to create a durable protective layer. They also give the tiles a richer color. Please note that when applied, they emit a strong odor, which requires the use of respirators.
In addition to sealants, you can also additionally use finishing coating compounds. They can be glossy or matte. With their help, you can highlight the color and texture of the tile.
Useful Tips for Sealing
If you decide to do the tile sealing yourself, then use useful tips and step-by-step instructions.
- Prepare the surface. It is necessary to remove all dirt, plants, mold, and treats from grease and oil. High-pressure washers are great for this.
- Choose a day. It is recommended to carry out such work on a warm, fairly sunny day. It is desirable that there is no rain for 24 hours before and after the treatment.
- Test the sealant. First, apply the composition to the tile in an inconspicuous area. This will make sure that the sealant is ideal for your tile.
- Prepare the tools. Depending on the area of the surface to be treated, you may need a set of rollers and brushes, or a full-fledged sprayer.
- Apply an even layer. The composition should be applied slowly, in an even layer over the entire surface. Try not to miss areas of the tile and not leave streaks. If you need to apply a second layer, wait until the previous one is completely dry.
To maintain the result and preserve the operational and external characteristics of paving slabs, it is recommended to carry out sealant treatment once every 2-3 years.
Final Thoughts
Sealing paving slabs is a useful and effective procedure. With the help of special compounds, you can preserve the appearance of the coating, extend its service life, and emphasize the color and texture. For application, you can use different types of compounds. Many people do the treatment themselves, but in some cases it is better to turn to professionals.
