Protecting Your Outdoor Investment: A Guide to Sealing Marble Pavers in Melbourne and Sydney
Marble pavers elevate outdoor spaces with their luxurious aesthetic and inherent durability. However, exposed to Melbourne and Sydney’s diverse weather conditions, they require proper care to retain their beauty and longevity. Sealing plays a crucial role in this aspect, safeguarding your investment against various detrimental factors. We recommend AQUAMIX’s range of sealers, all of which can be found here on their website https://aquamix.com.au/
Benefits of Sealing Your Marble Tiles and Pavers:
Stain Protection: Prevents spills, dirt, and other contaminants from penetrating the porous surface, minimizing visible blemishes and discoloration.
Enhanced Durability: Offers increased resistance to scratches, chips, and weathering, ensuring long-lasting performance.
Beauty Boost: Deepens the natural colour and highlights the inherent veining, preserving the pavers’ aesthetic appeal.
Choosing the Right Sealer:
There are basically two primary sealer types for sealing your marble, each caters to different needs:
Impregnating Sealers: Penetrate deep into the stone, providing invisible protection against stains and damage. Ideal for maintaining the marble’s natural look.
Colour-Enhancing Sealers: Enhance the marble’s colour and vibrancy, suitable for restoring faded pavers or achieving a desired aesthetic.
Sealing with Impregnating Sealers:
Testing: Begin by applying a small amount on an inconspicuous area to assess ease of use and desired results.
Surface Preparation: Ensure the pavers are clean, dry, and free of debris. Apply during ideal temperatures (40°F – 95°F).
Application: Generously apply the sealer using a sprayer or applicator, aiming for a “wet” look lasting 3-5 seconds. Avoid surrounding areas.
Repeat Application: After 10 minutes (adjust for porosity), apply a second coat. Refer to the product’s coverage chart for application rate.
Excess Removal: After 10 minutes, thoroughly polish the surface with clean cloths to remove excess sealer.
Equipment Cleaning: Use an appropriate solvent to clean tools and equipment.
Sealing with Colour-Enhancing Sealers:
Test the product: Apply on a small area and wait 48 hours to assess results.
Surface Preparation: Ensure the pavers are clean, dry, and free of debris.
Apply the Sealer: Use a roller, brush, or applicator, avoiding surrounding areas.
Excess Removal: Remove excess residue with clean cloths after 30 minutes. This step is crucial for proper curing.
Repeat Application: Wait 60 minutes and repeat steps 2 and 3. A third coat might be necessary for highly porous surfaces.
Curing: Allow 2 weeks for complete curing, avoiding moisture contact for 8 hours after application.
Equipment Cleaning: Clean tools with methylated spirits.
Additional Notes:
Colour-enhancing sealers might not prevent etching from acidic liquids or physical wear.
The level of colour enhancement varies with the stone type.
Re-application might be required over time due to wear and tear.
Treated surfaces cannot be restored to their original look once enhanced.
So by properly sealing your marble pavers with suitable products not only safeguards their beauty but also extends their lifespan, ensuring a worthwhile investment for your outdoor haven. Consider seeking professional guidance for optimal results, especially for high-traffic areas or complex installations.
Once your marble is sealed maintanence for your marble is a breeze using occassionally Aquamix’s Aqua Mix® Concentrated Stone & Tile Cleaner is a super-concentrated routine cleaner formulated for everyday use. This pH neutral cleaner, when used regularly, prevents soap scum build-up and hard water deposits. Leaves a room smelling clean and fresh. The ideal cleaner for maintaining all natural stone, tile & grout surfaces.
