Brick patios create a wonderful area of the home for relaxation and entertainment and, unlike wooden decks; they are considered to be maintenance free…but are they really? The simple answer is…no they are not!

Though brick patios don’t require the annual regiment of cleaning and staining that a wooden deck often does, left uncared for patios can easily turn in to an unattractive area, becoming uneven, faded out and consumed by weeds. The reason for the change is simple and the remedy to prevent it quite easy.

First…the reason for the problem. Like every other exterior area of the home weather constantly attacks your patio. The suns ultraviolet rays fade the colors from the bricks and the rains wash the sand out from between the joints of the bricks. Left unchecked, this erosion will eventually cause the bricks to become uneven.

Over time, weeds will begin to grow in the joints between the bricks and ants will colonize in them as well, soon considering your patio their home.

The solution is simple…seal the patio with a water-based sealer. Unlike solvent-based sealers water-based sealers will solidify, or harden, the sand in the joints preventing the sand from washing out with future rains and making it difficult for weeds to take hold or ants to colonize through the sand. Sealers also add an attractive “wet look” to the pavers, accenting the colors of the stones, and giving them a vibrant rich appearance. The better sealers on the market, such as Defy’s Epoxy Fortified Paver Sealer, will also protect the color of the bricks from fading out by providing strong, durable protection from the sun’s rays.

The process for applying a sealer consists of four easy steps, beginning with a good cleaning.

• Power wash the patio first to clean things up. Any minor staining, such as rust stains from patio furniture can be removed by using a little muriatic acid during the cleaning process.
• Secondly, level out any uneven bricks by removing them, adding enough sand to even things out, and then replacing the bricks to their original location.
• Next, re-fill the joints between the bricks with new sand by simply pouring some sand on the patio and sweeping enough in to the joints between the bricks to fill them back up.
• And lastly, using a pump-up garden type sprayer, apply two coats of water-based sealer to the patio. Avoid over application by applying only as much sealer as the bricks can easily absorb.

A good water-based sealer, properly applied, will protect your patio from nature’s elements and keep it looking great for years to come!

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