When it comes to protecting your pavers, sealing is one of the most beneficial things you can do. Sealing pavers can help them last longer, prevent stains, and maintain their beauty. It will also give them a clean, damp look with a shiny finish, depending on the sealer you use. Plus, it will protect the color of the paving stones from fading due to UV rays.
However, sealing pavers is not absolutely necessary. It really depends on your expectations for pavers and how long you want them to look good. Unsealed pavers are more likely to develop joint weeds, discolor, and lose their color due to wear and degradation from UV rays. So, is it worth it to seal pavers? Generally speaking, yes.
Most paving stone manufacturers will tell you that you don't need to seal your pavers, but it's highly recommended. Sealing is one of the surest ways to protect all the time and money you invested in your pavers. It makes maintenance much easier and protects it from many forms of stains, environmental or man-made. Before you apply a sealer to your pavers, you'll need to make sure you've cleaned them thoroughly.
You should also consider the purpose and material of your installation before deciding if sealing your pavers is something you want to do. Sealing creates an invisible layer on the top of the pavers that repels water, oil, and anything else you might accidentally drop, as long as you wash it as soon as you know it. Now that you know the pros and cons of sealing your pavers, you can decide whether or not you want to enjoy the benefit of that extra protection for your pavers. If you choose not to seal your pavers, they can suffer the effects of erosion, weed growth, mold or mildew accumulation, discoloration, and may come loose. In conclusion, sealing pavers has a lot of benefits but it's not absolutely necessary. Sealing is always recommended as it's one of the surest ways to protect all the time and money you invested in your pavers.