Milky white or yellow spots can be a sign that it’s time to strip the sealer from pavers. Although it’s an easy process to follow, you must keep some points in mind during the task.
In this article, we will discuss how to do the work safely, both for you and for your pavers. After all, you know how significant your investment is, and you don’t want to damage it.
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How To Strip Sealer From Pavers
Removing a paver sealer is a relatively easy task to do: all you need is to gather the right material and tools. There are currently several brands of paver sealer strippers, and you can easily find them at any construction store. These substances allow you to remove sealer from pavers so that a new layer can be applied.
Tools you need for this process:
- Paver sealer stripper
- Plastic sheets
- Protective clothing, gloves, and eyewear
- A charcoal filter respirator (recommended)
- Paint tray and paint roller
- Pressure washer
To further assist you in this process, we have put together a detailed step-by-step guide that shows you the way.
- Before starting, cover all plants and furniture near the area where you will apply the substance with the plastic sheets.
- Wear protective clothing, put on gloves, eyewear, and the charcoal filter respirator.
- Apply paver sealer stripper in a section of about 100 square feet using the paint try and paint roller. This stripper is very thick and applies like a paste. You must apply in smaller areas at a time so that the stripper doesn’t dry out so that it is possible to power wash it later.
- Wait about 45-60 minutes, then pressure wash off the old sealer. Be careful when doing the process near pools, for example, as the sealer peels off. Lead the residue to an outside area, such as grass or dirt.
- Repeat process 3 and 4 until you clean the entire pavers’ surface.
- In some cases, when the sealer layer is very resilient, you may have to repeat the process in the same place until you remove it.
What Is The White Haze On Pavers And How To Deal With It?
That white or yellow color on pavers is a result of some factors, ranging from;
- Moisture
- Efflorescence, which are white salt deposits not removed before sealer application
- The sealer used was low class, causing the acrylic in the sealer to blush white from the sun
- The buildup of too many coats through the years or excessive over-application
- Use of polymeric sand. If you don’t remove all the sand from the pavers’ surface, sand can turn white under the paver sealer.
For trapped moisture or if you have sealer buildup, to make the white haze disappear, you just have to apply a solvent over pavers. The substance will “reset” the sealer.
Unfortunately, if the white haze is from something else, then you need to strip off the old sealer and reapply a new layer.
How To Choose A Paver Sealer Stripper
There are several brands available on the market, some of which very good, others not so much. The best way to choose is through research. Go to your nearest convenience or construction store and ask.
Compare prices and search for brands on the internet to see what the search results are. Always keep an eye on forums, as they provide an excellent source of information.
We had some significant changes in 2020 for sealer stripper types available on the market. The main ingredient of a paver stripper, Methylene Chloride, was banned for consumer use in the US. But, there are still options that will work. The main difference is a longer dwell time to activate; About 45-60 minutes.
Is It Ok To Reapply Sealer Without Removing The Old Layer?
Although it’s possible to apply a new sealer layer over the old one, we don’t recommend it. You must remove as much of the old sealer layer as possible. If you don’t, there is a strong chance you’ll see a “white haze” in those areas.
Although it isn’t a complex task, it requires specific equipment and materials. Purchasing many of these tools on your own, in most cases, ends up being more expensive than hiring a company to do the job for you.
At JS Brick, we have 20+ years of experience providing paver installation, supply, and maintenance services in Sarasota and surrounding cities. For a free estimate on paver cleaning and sealing services, don’t hesitate to leave us a message or a call.
