The final step in any proper Oakland County brick paving job is a nice sealant finish. This can improve the aesthetics as well the longevity of your bricks. When broken down, there are essentially three main functions of a sealant:
They are as follows:
● Seal and protect the pavers from UV degradation and fading.
● Enhance the pavers by either adding a wet look, a bit of a gloss or both.
● Solidify or stabilize the jointing sand in between the individual stones by providing a firm structure
There are different ways an Oakland County brick paving contractor can apply this final touch and below we’ll discuss two of the most common methods and explain why we prefer the “rolling method”.
Rolling
“Rolling” refers to the method in which the brick surface is covered by a plastic roller which gently spreads out the sealant evenly. Most people will be familiar with a roller; they are comprised of a poll with a brush fixture on the end, and they are often used for painting walls. This is the method that we at Paver Maintenance Specialists tend to employ. We do this for a number of reasons.
- It generally takes us less time to apply our sealant this way, so we use it because reduced application time means lower cost for our customers.
- We have a greater control over the amount of sealant that is being used, which, in our opinion, leads to a better finish.
- Unlike the other typical methods, the odds of plants and nearby grass being damaged from the sealant application is much lower.
Spraying
Spraying is the other most commonly used method of applying sealant to brick pavers. Here are our thoughts when it comes to spraying.
- Spraying requires additional equipment to apply. A good commercial sprayer can be expensive and if our costs are higher, we have to charge our customer more to make up for the costs.
- Spraying is hazardous on a windy day and can end up all over the yard in places that are not intended, such as nearby plant life and grass where kids and pets play.
- If not done carefully, the chances of building up puddles of sealant are higher, effecting both the final look and quantity of the sealant used.
Along with using the best technique to apply the finish, it’s important to use the best quality sealant itself. Whether you use a solvent based, or water resistant sealant (or any other kind for that matter) depends on where you live and what type of surface you are covering. A professional Oakland County brick paving installation company can determine which type of sealant is best for you.
Oakland County Brick Paving: Exploring the Benefits of the Rolling Method of Sealant
If you are looking for a Macomb or Oakland County brick paving company, we PMS Diversified Construction Services LLC. is based locally here. In addition, we serve the entire Metro Detroit area, and we would be happy to share our expertise by writing an estimate or answering any of your questions.