[wpclean]

Normally we leave sealing alone, but have a good customer who wants it doing.     I am tempted by the Permaseal as you can apply with watering can and sqeegee, but re- sealing is a problem as you need to key it, and you are stuffed if it rains !

Picseal looks better for re-sealing as the solvent in it melts the previous coat so no messing with keying , and rain is not a big problem as you can remedy it easily.           What would you guys recommend ?

[samson]

I ended up using the Permaseal, and was well impressed, it looks like milk, but when dried the sand between the block dries like concrete !       Useless squeegee though, far too stiff 

[mark2000]

Will permaseal keep the weeds and moss away?

[Kev Martin]

No

[samson]

No

Not strictly true Kev, if you have weed killed before applying the sealer, then after applied would be better at discouraging weed growth as the spores would not lodge in the sand !

[Kev Martin]

No

Not strictly true Kev, if you have weed killed before applying the sealer, then after applied would be better at discouraging weed growth as the spores would not lodge in the sand !

This information was written by a block paving specialist with 35 years experience.  He is also a qualified hoticulturist

1 - Myth Conception - certain types of paving/surfacing are "weed-free"

2 - Myth Behaviour - weeds grow up through block paving

Firstly, there is no such thing as a weed-free surface. If detritus is allowed to accumulate on a surface, it will only be a matter of time before some weed or other decides to set up base camp in said detritus. And secondly, when properly constructed, weeds do NOT grow through block paving, and all that nonsense about putting a "weed barrier" beneath the paving is spouted by eejits who know nothing about how paving works. Weeds will grow intopaving, by colonising the sand-filled joints or settling onto accumulated detritus, but it is very very rare for weeds to grow through 200mm or so of pavement structure (the only exceptions being the notorious Japanese Knotweed, and some forms of Mare's Tails).

[mark2000]

OK so how long will permaseal last then.? Plus can you reseal after cleaning.

[samson]

OK so how long will permaseal last then.? Plus can you reseal after cleaning.

How long is a piece of string ?    Should last years, but depends on how much traffic it gets.    You can reseal, but I have been told it needs a key, but I suppose if it has been weathered and had traffic on it, then the surface would just need cleaning prior to resealing 

[Kev Martin]

Just like many other things the customers expectations are never met are they?  They start off in most cases with a beautiful block paved drive and a year down the road it is covered in  weeds and crap.  They call the guy in with the pressure washer and they do the job and end up blowing the sand out of the joints which is an INTEGRAL VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THE WHOLE CONSTRUCTION OF THE DRIVEWAY.  If it is not re sanded correctly  and quickly the blocks begin to move when cars are driven on to it and it starts to go wrong.

Personally I would never pressure wash a block pave drive if I had my way.  It is easier, cleaner and quicker to do it with a slow speed rotary and the correct brush.

I am not saying to all you PW Bods to never do it again because it is a good earner and I used to PW them myself.  The fact is however that the mono rotary does a better job, it only removes a little of the sand and is better IMHO .

Ultimately at the end of the day the customer sees a result and then starts thinking "How can I get away with not paying to have this done again"  This is where sealing comes into the mix and where in my opinion the problems start to occur because it doesn't matter what you seal it with the weeds grow back

[samson]

Kev, if the sealing is done correctly, then when you back to clean the drive you don't need as much pressure so the sand will not be dissplaced and there is less mess.   That is the theory anyway 

[mark2000]

Hi how much is permaseal per 25ltrs

[samson]

Hi how much is permaseal per 25ltrs

Forgot now, round about 100 a tub i think !

[Smudger]

Kev - nice quote from the paving expert it's a great ref. web site!

I am of the mind that sealing has little effect on weeds, and moss, for weeds just look around and see the damage they do to Tarmac and cement, a bit of urethane sealer a few microns thick won't stop them coming through. And moss spores will just lay on the surface and still spread.

I will seal if the customer really wants it, but my advice to them is to maintain the drive/patio by washing over it in autumn and spring with warm soapy water and scrub with a stiff yard broom, keep it clear and tidy.

Darran

[samson]

I hate sealing jobs, only reason we do em now is if the customer insists.    Like smudge says it is cheaper for Em to have the drive cleaned annualy.