These are seals that are applied to pavements and prevent them from stains, inhibit weed growth and stabilize the jointing sand to prevent peeling and ripping off.

There are basically four types of paver sealants:

• Solvent based acrylics
• Hydrated polymer glues
• Water-based Emulsions
• Moisture cured Urethanes

The acrylic sealants are typically used on PIC and paving within residential areas. They are moderately cheap, although they require repeat treatments at intervals of say a year so as to maintain them. They can be negatively affected by petrol, oils and other hydrocarbons. They are best considered as 'color enhancers' because they help bring the exact color of the paving.

The polyurethane or polymer sealants are more reliable and offer longer protection, though they are slightly expensive as compared to others. They leave the surfaces with a gloss look or a matt finish.

The urethane-based paver sealants are specified for commercial or civil applications. Use of high specification urethane sealants prolongs the working life for pavement as well as reduces the whole life costs by reducing maintenance and cleaning costs. Where there is high water flow the urethane ensures the structural integrity of jointing sands. They help a trafficked pavement in that it does not deform easily.

However, it is advisable to use the correct type of a sealant on for each type of a paving. It is better to use a sealant that has been specified for a specific pavement other than use an all type of pavement sealant.

Sealants are specified for large increasingly specified for larger paving contracts, particularly at petrol stations, because here they prevent fuel from penetrating the pavement, at airports and here they prevent erosion of jointing sand by jet blast, and at ports. Here they prevent the entrance of water that can cause pavement failure and areas where cleanliness and look is important, such are, town centers, restaurants, and railway stations, where the regular use of sweeping machines remove the jointing sand if the pavements are unsealed.

It is worthy noting that paver sealants should not be applied on floors that are less than three months old. The floors being sealed should be removed all traces of efflorescence the paving should be treated to remove all calcium carbonate and allowed to thoroughly dry up then sealed with low viscosity polymer.

Sealants are a worthwhile investment especially if you are protecting valuable or expensive type of pavings.The likes of custom-manufactured blocks or PIC. For or high-traffic applications, they are essential, and they not only keep the paving clean, they also but eliminate damage to the jointing that is caused by high-power water jet cleaning techniques and mechanical sweepers.