Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Sealer Upgrade

Recently we made the switch from Seal N Lock paver sealer.  We are now exclusively using Ure-Seal H20 manufactured by Innovative Concrete Technologies in Lakeland, FL.  After extensive research and a few experiments we found that the Ure-Seal outperformed Seal N Lock in dramatic fashion.   Ure-Seal offers a similar formula to our previous sealer and maintains some of the best attributes we loved about Seal N Lock.  Those include being able to complete the process in one day, a two part component, high solids and environmentally friendly.  Ure-Seal H20 takes it a step further however with a stronger formula and high solid content.  It also is available in a more semi-gloss sheen that we couldn't achieve with our previous sealer.  Locally made in our home state means we are buying local as well!

This will come as great news to all our past and future customers who count on us to constantly stay on top of this very fast changing industry.  Things change, technologies advance and we promise to stay current on all the latest advancements as they come.

Call the real paver sealing pro's in North Florida and schedule your fee estimate today!
904-300-1556 or email us at sales@paversaverjax.com

www.paversaverjax.com/paver-sealing

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Water based sealer gossip

Too many times I hear a customer tell me Water Based Sealers aren't any good.  This, of course, is because someone they know or even a professional told them so.  Nothing gets me more worked up then that discussion.  Usually, I'm then pushing a rock up hill and sometimes it would have probably been a better use of my time to just walk away, but I can't!

Not much in this world hasn't advanced over time (except humans, different topic).  Sealers definitely have done so in the past 5 or so years.  The creation of high solid, breathable, 2 part Water Based Sealers have simply put solvent based sealers out of business as far as brick pavers go (at least they should!!!).  Their stronger, more UV resistant, acid resistant, safer for the environment, don't blotch, not slippery, wears evenly and guaranteed not to "ghost" or "blush" (turn white) and can be re applied without stripping.

80% of our stripping jobs are solvent based sealers.  They almost always fade unevenly, turn completely white or at the very least become very hazy looking.  Too often, I have encountered many customers who have had injuries as a result of slippery, solvent based sealing applications on their pavers.  This doesn't have to happen.  There just isn't a reason to use them anymore.  PERIOD.  I cringe when I visit landscape suppliers, chemical and paint distributors and see people being sold solvent based sealers.  Worst yet, the "professionals" purchasing them haven't even taken the time to educate themselves on what they are buying.  That's a topic for another post for another day.

In summary, Water Based Sealers, like the kind we use (2 part, high solids, breathable) will be more durable, have zero side effects and safer for the environment.  Properly applied to a properly prepped paver, they will look more attractive then their counterpart and give you a consistent, safe finish that you will be proud of.

John Carlson
Paver Saver

Sunday, January 31, 2016

Why people think they shouldn't seal their pavers

I frequently (almost daily) am challenged on "why should I seal my pavers?".  On a typical day I take or make a total of 50 phone calls.  I spend the majority of them trying to educate someone on why its important to seal their pavers.

From my perspective having to convince someone in words is a little frustrating.  All you would need to do is follow me on a days journey and see the thousands of people who call us for help in restoring their old, faded, worn out pavers.  Those same customers are typically the ones who challenge such a notion as to invest in protecting them.  At a simple glance you can see damage, wear and stains that aren't reversible. Most often to surfaces less than 7-8 years of age or even newer.  Almost without fail there are usually numerous areas with catastrophic structural issues.  All of this would have been prevented if they initially invested a small portion of the overall cost of the installation to sealing them.

Even if someone is disappointed with the appearance of their pavers a year or two after sealing them, they must understand that the overall point is to protect them.  The natural beauty of pavers whether enhanced or not will not stay for long if a quality coating isn't applied.  The Florida sun and rain will wear the very thin decorative surface away within a year or two.  Once that happens you tend to get mold and algae growing deep into the stone thus requiring harsher pressure cleaning.  The cycle begins.

Going back to the people who I visit daily with pavers that are in rough shape.  9 out of 10 of them admit that in hindsight they made a mistake not sealing them.  This of course only after spending 20 minutes educating them on exactly why they are having the issues they have and that NO, its not able to be reversed.

The bottom line is that sealing your pavers from the get go or even a year later will put you on the track to have that large investment stay beautiful for decades if you so choose to stay in the cycle.  If not, just ask yourself if your okay with spending the same amount of money you just did replacing them 8 years from now.

If you have older pavers already its not too late to seal.  Yes, they can't be "fixed".  They won't look new.  However, you will hit the pause button on further wear and tear and given the only other option is to re-install new pavers...its definitely the cheaper solution.


John Carlson
Paver Saver