The pavers around your pool might look amazing, but do they need to be sealed for protection purposes? Old, worn pool pavers are notorious for breaking apart and getting moldy. Once this happens, they have to be replaced. If you seal the pavers you will extend their longevity, but does this rule work for pool pavers?
You should seal the pavers around your pool to make them resistant to mold and slipping. Unsealed pavers are quite porous, which means they absorb all of the water from the pool. This process makes them brittle, crumbly, and moldy. You can seal your pavers with various sealing sprays and paints.
In this post, we’ll talk about whether or not you should seal the pavers near your swimming pool, why mold forms on some pavers, and how you can seal them if you choose to do so. Enjoy!
Should Pavers Near a Swimming Pool Be Sealed?
All pavers, stamped concrete, wood, and other surfaces should be sealed if they surround a swimming pool. Keep in mind that there are many different types of paver sealants. For example, some of them are only used to preserve the color, while others enhance the glossy appearance and texture.
Belgard highly recommends sealing your pavers since it prevents mold, deterioration, and color loss. However, we’re primarily after the anti-slip and anti-mold benefits. Some pavers are extremely slippery. This means they’re an immediate problem when people get out of the swimming pool, especially if you have sprinkler systems nearby.
Another thing to remember is that some pavers come pre-sealed. If your pavers are already treated for water resistance, you don’t need to worry about sealing them. Ask the manufacturer how long the sealant lasts. Sometimes, you’ll have to touch up the sealant every few years to prevent it from wearing off.
That being said, it’s essential that you use high-quality sealant and perform the proper steps. Cutting corners will quite literally make the sealant ineffective. Furthermore, it’ll wash away if there’s debris or moisture soaked into the pavers, which could also cause mold and mildew buildup.
Does Sealing Pavers Around a Pool Prevent Mold?
Sealant around pavers prevents mold because it stops excessive amounts of moisture from sinking into the pavers. Most pavers are quite porous, which is excellent for slip resistance. However, their porous texture invites water to the surface. Once you seal the pavers, they can’t soak up enough moisture to cause mold.
Here are the two primary reasons sealing pavers prevents mold near a pool:
- Sealing your pavers prevents pool water, rainwater, and humidity from seeping into the porous surface. This is the primary reason most people seal the pavers around their swimming pool. It’s an excellent way to weatherproof the outer material, which can otherwise break off into the pool.
- Paver sealant causes the water to evaporate rather than soak into nearby surfaces. After sealing the pavers around your pool, you’ll notice that there are water beads everywhere when it gets splashed. These water beads work because they’re repelled by the sealant. It’s even quicker under direct sunlight.
Pantera Pavers claims using a sealant is more effective than cleaning your pavers regularly in terms of mold prevention. Nothing beats preventing mold growth before it starts. That being said, we still recommend washing your sealed pavers every couple of months to keep grime and debris from building up.
We’ve also written an extensive guide on dealing with mold on pavers to teach you what to do if you notice black mold on your pavers.
Now that you know the numerous benefits of sealing the pavers around your pool, it’s time to find the perfect method. Below, we’ll break down the step-by-step details you need to achieve the perfect water-resistant seal every time.
How to Seal the Pavers Around Your Pool
To seal the pavers around your pool, follow these instructions:
- Sweep all of the dirt and dust away from the pavers. Anything below the sealant will prevent it from soaking into the pavers. You’ll end up with a patchy sealant job that looks discolored. Use a push broom to get rid of anything that you don’t want to stick below the new layer because it’ll be there for many years.
- Pressure wash the pavers to remove deep stains, grime, and debris. Pressure washes remove the debris that’s inside the porous pavers. This crucial step is often overlooked. If you don’t have a pressure washer, you can rent one or use a concentrated garden hose attachment to get rid of the dirt.
- Wait for 24 to 48 hours before sealing the pavers. It’s important to let the pavers dry before sealing them; otherwise, you’ll end up with a blotchy set of pavers. Any moisture under the sealant will dilute it and make it much less effective. Keep everyone away from the pool while performing this step.
- Use a lambswool brush to apply the sealant. For instance, the Boardwalk Lambswool Finish Applicator soaks the sealant into the pavers quite easily. Dip the applicator in the sealant tray, then brush it across all of the pavers. Use a handheld brush to apply the sealant inside the pool edges.
- Let the product dry for a full day before swimming, using sprinklers, and so on. Water will damage and disperse the sealant if it doesn’t have enough time to dry. For this reason, it’s best to check the weather forecast before sealing the pavers. The last thing you need is a rainstorm ruining your sealant and wasting your time.
Sealing your pavers can make a world of difference. We suggest sealing all of the pavers on your property, not just those near your swimming pool. Rainstorms can cause similar issues, including deterioration, mold, and more.
For more details and a helpful video tutorial, review this quick YouTube guide:
Final Thoughts
Sealing the pavers around your swimming pool takes a bit of time, energy, and financial investment, but it’s worth it in the long run. Your pavers will look better and last longer with a high-quality sealant. Remember to keep the spray away from plants and pool equipment to avoid unwanted damage.
