If you’ve ever seen milky-white pavers after a sealing job, you’ve seen what trapped moisture can do. Our coastal humidity in Bluffton and Hilton Head makes “good enough” sealing a gamble. Here’s how we protect your investment and deliver a consistent, clean cure.
What ruins a seal in our climate
• Moisture still in the paver or joints when sealer goes down
• Heavy, puddled coats that block evaporation
• Incompatible re-coats on top of an unknown or failing old sealer
• Rushing dry times in shaded or low-lying areas
Our prep makes the difference
1) Inspect & test. We check for prior sealer, stains, settlement, drainage, and do a quick porosity test so we know how much the paver will drink.
2) Clean & open joints. We clean the surface and open joints to ~1–1.5 inches (or ≥ two-thirds of paver thickness). This gives fresh joint sand a proper “lock.”
3) Dry-down window. We let the system dry fully—usually 24–48 hours depending on weather and shade. If the leaf blower “dust test” kicks up damp fines, we wait.
Why we re-sand with polymeric
Polymeric sand stabilizes joints and resists wash-out and weeds. We compact with a urethane-padded plate, top off to ~⅛″ below the chamfer, blow off dust, and gently mist to activate. Then we allow a cure window before sealing.
The right sealer, applied the right way
• Breathable by default. We use breathable water-based systems for most jobs to reduce whitening risk.
• Two light coats. We spray then back-roll to push sealer into pores without puddling.
• Finish options. Natural-to-satin is our default. Wet-look or gloss is available by request.
Care after we finish
• Foot traffic: 2–6 hours
• Vehicles: 24–48 hours (we’ll confirm on site)
• Sprinklers off during the cure window
• No pressure washing for 14 days
Results you can expect
• Stronger color and contrast without plastic shine (unless requested)
• Joints that resist wash-out and weed intrusion
• A consistent, even finish with no lap marks or whitening
Questions? Want pricing for your driveway, patio, or pool deck? Reach out and we’ll schedule a quick on-site evaluation.
