Pavers sealing technique suc as the Interlocking pavers, sometimes known as segmental pavers, have been used for centuries, most notably by the Romans. They offer a range of benefits, including durability and added strength in places with a lot of soil movement.
But what are the attributes of interlocking pavers, and what are the benefits they offer over traditional pavers, and how do you best seal and maintain them? Read on to learn more about interlocking pavers and how you may benefit from employing a professional paver sealing service like the one offered here at Enviro Clean and Capture.
What are interlocking pavers?
One of the first pieces of evidence of civilisations using interlocking pavers can be dated back to 5000BC with the Minoans. However, systemic segmental, or interlocking pavers as we know them today, more resemble the paving laid by the Romans approximately 2000-years ago.
The Roman method of layering sand and aggregate under their paved surfaces is still used to this day. This 2000-year old method of ground preparation and interlocking blocks of stone or concrete involves a three-tier system.
Layer one of the foundations known as aggregate, or agger, for short, is made up of rubble that utilises larger stone or rock composites, allowing for drainage from rainwater, groundwater and maintenance cleaning.
The second, middle layer, known as the radius, is made of finer material like sand and metal and can often be applied in layers that are then compacted by either manual labour or by utilising civil machinery.
The third and final layer of the foundation, traditionally known as the pavimentum, is made of the pavers themselves. Often there is a loose layer of fine paving sand that gets screened off before laying to give the pavers something to settle into.
The definition of interlock is to lock one with another. Interlocking pavers come in all shapes, sizes, colours and designs but share one thing in common; they interlock to maximise strength, minimise excessive movement and bear weight loads.
How do interlocking pavers work?
Interlocking pavers tend to come in uniformed shapes, widths and depths, or in some circumstances, a combination of different size shapes that makes a more elaborate pattern or design.
Whether made up of basic shapes like rectangles or squares or more intricately moulded designs, these pavers’ unique shape or pattern allows each individual unit to lock together, allowing each paver to support the one that it is next to, creating a robust, uniformed structural system.
Benefits of interlocking pavers
With so many different types of paver on the market, why would someone choose to use interlocking pavers over other options? The benefits of segmental pavers offer more than just a diverse range of styles and patterns.
Robust and durable
With proper care, like regular cleaning and regular scheduled resealing, quality stone or concrete interlocking pavers can last for decades. We will discuss paver sealing further in this article.
Due to the nature of the interlocking design, segmental pavers are perfect for roads or driveways as they are efficient at distributing heavy weight loads, like vehicles, without sinking or warping.
Interlocking pavers that have been laid and cared for correctly will be unlikely to require repair during their lifespan unless subjected to extreme weight or heavy impact, making them an excellent investment for domestic and commercial properties alike.
Stone or concrete interlocking pavers are also resistant to damage due to extreme weather and temperatures, including freezing and thawing in frigid regions during the winter months.
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Easy to install
Because interlocking pavers consist of intertwined patterns or large patterned slabs, they are relatively easy to install. After the initial foundations and primary pavers have been put in place, most interlocking pavers will simply fall into place like an easy jigsaw puzzle.
The main difference is this jigsaw puzzle has a simple picture, and all the pieces fit the same. Complex bends, curves and patterns can be a little more challenging to design and lay, and it may be worth consulting a professional in these circumstances.
Easy to maintain
Once your pavers are in place, and the paving sand has filled in the gaps, maintenance requires little more than regular sweeping and a quick hose down.
The best way to make the maintenance of your interlocking pavers even easier is to have your pavers professionally cleaned and sealed.
The sealant acts as a protective coating that helps to keep contaminants and pollutants out of your pavers while also making it easier to remove dirt and debris from the surface of your interlocking pavers; more on this later.
Easy to replace
Because of the uniform structure of most stone or concrete interlocking pavers, it is easy to replace individual pavers or sections of pavers with minimal fuss if you, unfortunately, have a circumstance where a paver has been cracked, or an area has sunk due to excessive weight.
Often severe sinking of a section of interlocking pavers will be caused by a heavy vehicle like a truck or civil machinery.
Eco-friendly
Concrete and stone pavers like limestone and travertine are renewable resources, making them a more eco-friendly option than other paving materials. If you are concerned about the ecological impact of your pavers, it is worth researching your options online or speaking to a paving professional.
The team here at Enviro Clean and Capture offers environmentally friendly concrete and stone cleaning and sealing solutions.
Read on for more information about our eco-friendly paver services, or contact one of our friendly staff to arrange a no-obligation free quote.
Types of interlocking pavers
Interlocking pavers come in many colours, shapes and finishes, allowing you to match them to any type of property aesthetic, both classic and contemporary.
Examples of some common types of interlocking pavers include, but are not limited to:
- Brick
- Cross dumble
- Cubed
- Dumble
- Fan
- Hexagonal
- Mirror
- Square
- Trihex and more
Some contemporary stone interlocking pavers place complex patterns in large squares to give the effect of an intricately designed master paver finish without the need for the master paver.
What is paver sealing?
Although you may find some conflicting information about the necessity of paver sealing, industry professionals generally agree that it is the best way to maintain and ensure the longevity of your investment.
Stone and concrete are porous, meaning the air gaps and spaces left in the material after pouring can allow fluid, moisture, pollutants and contaminants to penetrate the inner structure of the paver.
This can lead to premature degradation of your pavers by allowing these contaminants to break down your pavers from the inside, allowing for cracking, colour fading and premature wear and tear.
Examples of some of the contaminants that can negatively affect your interlocking pavers structural integrity include:
- Biowaste
- Oils
- Mould
- Fungus
- UV exposure
- Mildew
- Chemicals
- Animal waste and more
Sealants act as a protective coating or film that seals off the pores of your pavers and halts the absorption of these contaminants and pollutants.
Different types of paver sealant
Different types of paver made from different kinds of material, like stone or concrete, may need different types of sealant to ensure that the pavers are sealed and protected optimally.
If the wrong type of sealant is used on interlocking pavers or is applied improperly, not only is there a risk of providing the pavers with an ineffective seal, there is also a risk of discolouration, staining or inconsistent surface textures.
Although there is a wide range of different speciality sealants, most will fall under two main categories; surface sealants and penetrating sealants.
Surface sealants, sometimes called topical sealants, provide a film across the top layer of your pavers, sealing the surface and stopping moisture and debris from getting past in the pores in the pavers themselves.
Penetrating sealers or impregnating sealers enter the pores of the pavers and create a protective layer both on the surface of the paver and deep within the pores of the paver itself.
Within these two main types of interlocking paver sealer are a wide variety of other sealant bases, which include:
- Acrylics
- Water-based Latex
- Silicones
- Polyisobutylene
- Polyurethanes
- Natural waxes and more
It is easy for the DIY enthusiast to feel a little over their head with so many options even though there is plenty of advice and online information about sealing interlocking pavers.
Much of this confusion and stress associated with selecting and applying the correct type of sealant can be avoided by utilising a professional paver sealing service like the one we offer at Enviro Clean and Capture.
As nice as it would be to have a sealant that is “set and forget”, the reality is that sealed pavers will need to be deep cleaned and resealed annually. Some sealant manufacturers even suggest a bi-yearly clean and seal to optimise your interlocking paver’s protection.
Failure to clean and reapply your paver sealant can result in several risks, including:
- Flaking
- Discolouration
- Aesthetic inconsistencies
- Premature wear in high traffic areas
- Staining and more
Your pavers are a significant feature on your property. Maintaining your pavers not only protects your investment but can also affect the resale value of your property.
How interlocking pavers are applied
Whether applying a DIY paver sealant or utilising a professional paver sealing service, the procedure will generally be the same.
Sealant application and reapplication involve providing the interlocking pavers with a deep clean followed by an evenly applied coating of the correct sealant. After application, a sealant will generally require a period to cure, usually between 24 to 48-hours.
The main differences between DIY kits and professional services will be two things; a well-trained and experienced eye and the correct tools for the job.
The benefits of using professional paver sealing services
There are many benefits that come with utilising a professional paver sealing service for your paved surfaces, from avoiding damage during the cleaning process to ensuring even coverage of your sealant.
General pressure cleaners can often be too harsh on interlocking pavers doing more harm than good. Too high water pressure can strip away the structure of the paver itself, leading to premature wear and degradation.
A professional service, like the one we offer here at Enviro Clean and Capture, uses state-of-the-art custom pressure cleaners that can remove dirt, debris, pollutants, and old sealant without damaging your valuable investment.
They can generally also get the job done in a fraction of the time it will take a DIY enthusiast to complete the same task, saving people time and expensive equipment hire costs.
The other major benefit that comes with hiring an expert paver sealing service includes something that can only be gained with time, and that’s experience.
A well trained and experienced paver cleaning and sealing professional will be able to select the best type of sealant for your interlocking pavers and will be able to ensure an even and consistent application of paver sealant on your residential or commercial property.
These professionals will also be able to offer advice on how often your outdoor flooring will require maintenance, cleaning and resealing, and offer you a cost-effective plan to provide your investment with optimal protection.
Enviro Clean and Capture paver sealing services Sydney
If you require reliable and trustworthy solutions for paver sealing services in Sydney, and surrounding regions, call the highly-trained and experienced team here at Enviro Clean and Capture today.
Our team offer a range of comprehensive services for interlocking paver cleaning and sealing, as well as a wide range of other home maintenance solutions, including:
- Tile cleaning and sealing
- Natural stone and concrete cleaning and sealing
- All other types of paver cleaning and sealing
- Outdoor pressure cleaning and more
Our team is dedicated to providing industry-leading solutions while providing our customers with an outstanding customer experience. For more information about the benefits of having your interlocking pavers professionally cleaned and sealed by our expert team, contact us today via phone or email.
