Handyman Ruined This Driveway: Paver Sanding and Sealing Repair in River Hills, FL

We were only supposed to seal this paver driveway in River Hills. The homeowners had already paid someone else to pressure wash, sand, and seal it. He told them it was sanded, did a poor job of it, and then disappeared before sealing. When we arrived, it was clear we couldn’t just seal it. That would have locked the bad work in place.

Project at a glance

• Location: River Hills, Valrico, Florida

• Surfaces: Paver driveway and back patio

• Problem: Joints that were underfilled and overfilled at the same time, polymeric sand applied incorrectly, and residue left on the pavers

• Fix: Pressure wash, sodium hypochlorite treatment, a full re-sand once dry, and two coats of a water-based gloss sealer

What a bad sanding job looks like

Up close, many joints had almost no sand in them, while other spots were overfilled, with extra sand sitting on the surface. Sometimes both problems were in the same joint. It looked like polymeric sand had been used but not applied correctly. The back patio had a hazy residue on the pavers and chunks missing from some of them.

Sealing over that would have trapped the gaps and the excess sand under the sealer. So instead of a simple seal, the job turned into a full refurbish.

Step 1: Pressure wash and clean out the joints

We started over with a thorough pressure washing to remove the loose, badly applied sand and the overfilled material, and to clear the gunk out of the joints.

Step 2: Treat for mold and mildew before sealing

Next we applied sodium hypochlorite across the pavers. We doubt the previous person did this step, and it’s one you never want to skip. Mold, algae, moss, and seeds hide in the cracks and joints, especially when pavers haven’t been sanded in a long time. If you seal over them, they keep growing right up through the sealer.

Step 3: Let it dry completely

Sand and sealer both need dry pavers, so we came back a couple of days later. Even then, a few spots by the garage were still damp from the sprinklers, so we started where it was dry and let those areas catch up. Florida humidity and covered patios can make drying take longer than you’d expect.

Step 4: Re-sand the joints the right way

Some of the joints were very wide, so it took a lot of sand. We swept it in thoroughly, filling the joints but not to the very top, then used a leaf blower to clear the excess off the surface and bring the sand down to the right level before sealing. For most paver jobs we use silica sand. Here’s why Florida pavers do better with silica sand instead of polymeric.

Step 5: Seal with two coats

We applied two coats of a water-based gloss sealer. On pavers in rough shape, the first coat soaks in like a sponge, so you may not get a very shiny finish even with a gloss product. Many homeowners prefer that more natural look anyway. We use gloss because we find it holds up better. The sealer hardens the joint sand, keeps weeds down, and keeps the joints from washing out. Learn more about our paver sealing service.

After sealing we put up caution tape. We recommend not driving on freshly sealed pavers for 48 to 72 hours, ideally the full 72.

Why you shouldn’t hire just anyone to seal your pavers

Paver sealing isn’t rocket science, but you do need to know what you’re doing and what products you’re using. These homeowners ended up paying for the same job twice, so we gave them a break on the price.

Before you hire someone, check that they are:

• A registered business, not someone with a pressure washer in the back of a truck who might not be around next month.

• Insured. We carry $2 million in liability insurance. We’ve never had to use it, but if an accident ever damaged a roof or a window, we could make it right.

• Properly equipped and trained. We’ve seen people run surface cleaners on roofs, which can shorten a roof’s life by years. Here’s why roofs should never be pressure washed.

• Well reviewed. Look for a solid reputation and real customer reviews.

That’s also why we post our work on YouTube: so you can see our process, the effort that goes into it, and that we’re a real local company. Learn more about Radiant Clean.

Need your pavers sanded and sealed?

We also cleaned and sealed a damaged travertine pool deck in River Hills. If you’re in the Tampa or greater Hillsborough County area, request a free estimate for paver sealing, exterior washing, or window cleaning. We also work with property managers and real estate professionals. See our commercial services.