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Why Proper Preparation Is the Key to Beautiful Paver Sealing

May 23, 2025 Missy Ordiway

If you’ve ever had your pavers sealed and they still looked dull or chalky, there’s a good chance you’ve seen efflorescence. That white, powdery stuff on top of your pavers isn’t just dirt—it’s a common problem, and it can ruin the look of your beautiful hardscape. The key to fixing it? Proper preparation before sealing.

At Hoover Pressure Cleaning, we believe in educating our customers, not just offering services. Efflorescence is a real issue in Florida, especially when pavers are installed over concrete and the drainage isn’t great. If you want long-lasting results, you have to address these problems head-on before sealing. Let’s break it down.

What Is Efflorescence?

Efflorescence happens when water moves through the pavers from below, bringing natural salts with it. As the water rises and evaporates, it leaves those salts behind on the surface. That’s the white, chalky haze you’re seeing.

This doesn’t damage the pavers, but it does make them look old and faded—even if they’re new. And if you seal over it without cleaning and treating it first, you’re just trapping it underneath the sealer. That can make the surface look worse, not better.

Why Preparation Matters

Sealing your pavers is like putting on a clear coat of paint. Whatever is on the surface before you seal will stay there—and sometimes get even more noticeable once the sealer is applied. That includes oil stains, mold, mildew, and yes, efflorescence.

That’s why proper preparation is so important. Before any sealer touches the surface, the pavers should be cleaned, treated, and dried. If we see efflorescence, we treat it with the right cleaner to remove the salts and bring the color back to life. Only then is the surface ready to be sealed.

A Real Example: Before and After

The photo in this post shows a real job we completed. On the left side, you can see the pavers before treatment. They look faded and dusty, and you can clearly see the white haze from efflorescence. On the right, you see the results after we cleaned, treated, and sealed the area using SilaCast BES from Deco Products Inc.

The difference is night and day. The rich color of the pavers is restored, and the surface looks clean and vibrant. But it didn’t happen by accident—it happened because we took the time to do things right.

Why It Can Come Back

Here’s the honest truth: efflorescence is a maintenance issue. Even after a proper treatment and seal, it can come back over time—especially if the root cause isn’t fixed. One big reason this happens is poor drainage. If water pools on or under the pavers, it can carry more salts to the surface.

Another common cause is when pavers are laid over concrete slabs. In this setup, there’s nowhere for water to drain properly, so it gets trapped. As it tries to escape, it pushes salts up through the pavers again. This is common in front entries, lanais, and patios here in Florida.

While we can’t stop efflorescence from ever coming back, we can help manage it. That’s why we always recommend breathable sealers like SilaCast BES. This type of sealer allows moisture vapor to escape instead of trapping it under the surface.

What You Can Do

If your pavers are showing signs of efflorescence, don’t panic—it doesn’t mean they’re ruined. It just means they need some attention. Here’s what you can do:

Improve Drainage: If you notice standing water or areas that always stay wet, look for ways to redirect water away from your pavers.
Keep Pavers Clean: Regular cleaning helps stop buildup and keeps your pavers looking sharp.
Seal Every 2–3 Years: Sealing helps protect the surface from the elements and gives your pavers that rich, clean look. Just make sure it’s done properly every time.

We’ll always be honest with you about what to expect. If your pavers were laid over concrete or have drainage issues, efflorescence may return. But with the right plan in place, it can be kept under control.

Why We Don’t Cut Corners

Some companies skip the prep work to save time or money. That’s not how we operate. Sealing over dirty, untreated pavers is a shortcut that leads to bad results. We take the time to clean and treat your pavers the right way, so you get a long-lasting finish you can be proud of.

We believe in doing the job right the first time. That means honest assessments, clear communication, and never skipping the prep work. When you hire us, you’re not just getting a seal—you’re getting professional care for your home’s hardscape.