Brick pavers are a great way to make outdoor spaces look more attractive and reduce your home maintenance. With the weather extremes in Michigan, many people choose brick over concrete or wood for patios, simply because they are attractive and durable. Your Oakland County home is a big investment so when you choose to install a brick paver patio or driveway, it is important to make sure it is sealed and prepared to handle the heat of summer and the cold and ice of winter. The easiest way to protect your brick pavers is to have them sealed. If you aren’t sure if you want to seal your pavers, here are a few benefits to spending the extra money for a sealant.
Summer Protection for Your Brick Pavers
In the summer, there are two things that can cause damage to your brick paver patio or driveway: water and ants. Water from sprinklers, rain, or from hosing down your patio can cause the sand underneath and between your pavers to shift or wash out. Even worse than water are pesky ants that can steal sand or attempt to build nests in the sand under and between pavers. Both water and ants can cause pavers to become uneven, shift and look unsightly. To protect them from these elements, a sealant will coat the sand in the cracks, making a tight, waterproof barrier. This barrier will keep sand in place and prevent shifting from water or insects.
Winter Protection for Your Brick Pavers
During the winter, a sealant is especially important. Sealants will protect your brick from a variety of harmful elements. The most obvious is the Michigan snow and ice. Sealants will keep melting snow and ice from seeping in between your pavers, moving sand and heaving bricks. A quality sealant will also protect your pavers from deicers and shoveling. Deicers can eat away at your brick’s surface, while shoveling can cause scratches and chipping. Sealants will keep deicers off of the surface, and create a barrier against scratching.
Additional Benefits of Sealing Brick Pavers
Sealants not only work to protect your pavers from elements that can damage them but they can make your brick pavers look great and continue looking great for a longer time. Water-based sealants can give your pavers a glossy, wet look. Many people prefer this look to the muted finish of regular brick. If you like the look of natural brick, sealants can help keep the colors in your brick from fading or looking dirty. Sealants also make cleaning your pavers easier by giving a smoother surface for sweeping and washing.
A brick sealant is a great option for ensuring that your new or existing brick paver patio or driveway is protected from all of the wear and tear of daily life. Whether it is the extremes of Michigan weather or just you and your family enjoying your home, a sealant will keep your brick pavers looking great for a longer time.
Need a Lake Orion Brick Paver? We’re the Guys!
Looking for a Lake Orion brick paver? PMS Diversified Construction is headquartered in Sterling Heights, Michigan and services the entire Metro Detroit area. For more information on our brick paver installation and maintenance services, please call us at 1-800-BRICK-PAVERS.