Question
I was wondering if you could tell me the advantages and disadvantages of sealing a paver patio. We are getting a EP Henry paver patio installed and are thinking about sealing it.  Our contractor said he does not think we should seal it, but if we do we should wait 6 months. I also read somewhere that we should wait 3-6 months to seal it.  Should we seal it and if we do, should we wait the 6 months? Are there any disadvantes to sealing it? Thanks for any input you can give me.

Answer
There are several reasons you should seal your pavers.  The most dramatic is for the aesthetic results. Acrylic sealers intensify the subtle colors and provide a glossy sheen to even the most haggard of paved surfaces.  So, if you have an intricate design, or really want the pavers to be a noticeable part of your landscape, go for it!

Some of the functional reasons for sealing your pavers are: protection from stain penetration (usually dripping oil or hte occasional spilled pina colada), it helps prevent insect intrusion (ants, mostly), helps resist mildew, inhibits weed growth, helps prevent tire marking, helps to prevent efflorescence (common in concrete pavers in some areas), and for ease of maintenance (maybe even helps a little snow removal?).

A solvent-based sealer provides much deeper penetration than the water-based product. Acrylic, when dissolved into a solvent, it is able to penetrate much farther than when suspended in water. This deeper solvent penetration and higher acrylic solid content provides much longer protection from surface wear.

Having said all this, I know of no local builders here in the west that actually bothers to seal their product, once installed.  Not even offered as an up-grade option.  Probably because it is not cheep, and the results are too subtle to be profitable to them ?like painting the inside trim an 揺gg-shell? instead of just blasting everything with 搘hite?paint.   

As far as waiting a few months, I see no harm in it.  So, there may be a regional preference, where weather makes for a tougher climate.

Disadvantages...Hmmm.  You may not like the results, and there is no going back.  And, the cost may not be the easiest to justify on a tight budget.  Also, if you need to ever replace some of the patio pavers, it would be tough to match, exactly.  Thats why its a good idea to keep the extras & left-overs.  Maybe you could seal them, too?  Just a thought.

That抯 about all I know on this subject.  I抣l ask a contractor buddy in the next few days, and if he has anything else to add, I抣l post a follow-up (I think it should copy to you, as well)

Regards,
Marc