Already know what you need? Go straight to paver sealing.
The water test tells you more than the date
Pour a cup of water on the pavers and watch. On a sealed surface it beads and sits. On a surface that is due, it darkens the paver and soaks straight in within a few seconds.
Run the test in two or three places. The tire tracks on a driveway wear years faster than the strip down the middle, and one spot will not represent the whole field.
What shortens the interval
Every one of these pulls the number down toward two years or under:
- Direct all-day sun with no tree cover
- Salt air, which is most of the barrier islands
- Pool decks, with chlorine, sunscreen and constant wet feet
- Vehicle traffic, especially hot tires in summer
- Sprinkler overspray, particularly on well or reclaimed water
What lengthens it
Shaded patios, covered walkways, screened lanais and anything that sees light foot traffic can run four years or more. A surface that was properly cleaned and fully re-sanded before its last seal also lasts noticeably longer, because the sealer bonded to clean paver rather than to a layer of dirt.
Typical intervals by surface
These are the ranges we see across Pinellas County. Treat them as a starting point and let the water test settle it.
| Surface | Typical interval | What drives it |
|---|---|---|
| Driveway, full sun | 2 to 3 years | UV, hot tires, vehicle weight |
| Pool deck | 2 to 3 years | Chlorine or salt, sunscreen, constant wet traffic |
| Coastal patio or walkway | 2 to 3 years | Salt air, blowing sand in the joints |
| Inland patio, part shade | 3 to 4 years | Irrigation staining more than fade |
| Shaded patio | 3 to 5 years | Algae rather than color loss |
| Covered or screened lanai | 4 to 5 years | Light traffic, no direct sun or rain |
Signs you are already overdue
If you are seeing these, the interval has passed:
- Color looks flat and chalky rather than deep
- Joint sand has dropped below the paver surface
- Weeds or ants coming up through the joints
- Water soaks in instantly and leaves a dark patch
- Green or black film returning within weeks of a wash
Resealing early is cheaper than resealing late
A surface caught on time needs a clean, a re-sand and a seal. A surface left several years past due often needs stain treatment, full joint replacement, and sometimes pavers reset where the sand loss let them move. The second job costs considerably more than the first.
Still not sure? Send us the surface, the city and a rough size. We will tell you whether cleaning, sealing, re-sanding or restoration is the right next step, including when the answer is that you do not need us yet.
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