Sealants – Factory Applied
Making the decision to seal paving should be considered before laying – or indeed, before
ordering the materials. It is recommended that, as factory sealing of the stone will have been
conducted under close scrutiny and in controlled, clean, dry conditions, by experts, the results
will be the best they can be. The majority of natural stones may benefit from sealing, to help
preserve the colours and surface finishes that made the product attractive in the first place.
In order to successfully seal the surface of the paving, it must be completely dry to prevent
any moisture from becoming trapped within the material.
The sealant is applied, by a sprayer, to the upper surface only. Once dry, it is packaged and sent
out to site in pallets or crates, and with nothing more required, the stone may be laid in the normal
manner. Once sealed, any mortar or dirt that gets onto the surface is more easily removed.
Sealers are made from a mixture of water based, chemically blended, silane and siloxane
polymers with particular formulas used by different firms, under various Trade names. They
penetrate deep within the slabs, filling pores and providing a waterproof bonding to protect
the surface for years.
Their success – or otherwise – depends on the skills of the operator, ambient temperatures
and atmospheric conditions during applying, hence factory sealed paving will always be the
best option.
