How to Remove Paver Sealer Like a Pro: 7 Smart Steps

Paver sealants won’t last a lifetime. Their average lifespan is 3 to 5 years. You want to remove the old sealer from the pavers before applying a new sealant. Besides, an incorrect installation may cause premature failure of a paver sealer.

Pavers are not a cheap investment. An inconsistent or wrong approach can ruin the seal. You want to know how to remove the paver sealer correctly to ensure stains on the floor surface. This article will give you a complete guide on the removal process of paver sealants.

7 Quick and Easy Ways to Remove Paver Sealer At Home

When it comes to stripping the old sealer or incorrectly applying sealant from a pavement surface, you can follow different approaches and use various sealer removers.

But are all these options deserved to be on your list? After trying several approaches, I figured out the following method is the best one.

Step: 01— Choosing the Right Paver Sealer Remover

The first substantial job is selecting the correct paver sealer remover or stripper. Choosing a particular option depends on the requirements and preference.

For instance, if the paver sealer is not too strong and you prefer to use a natural option, you can use Biochemical strippers.

Many users gave positive feedback on NPS RX Natural Paint Stripper. It is toxin-free, biodegradable, and eco-friendly. The sealant remover works on various surfaces.

But if your paver has several layers of thick sealant, it is best to use solvent-based strippers. They can break the bond between the object and the paint by swelling the paint.

You can also use Gel strippers, Caustic strippers, Muriatic acid, etc. Before applying any option, figure out how effective it will be on the particular paver surface.

Step: 02— Covering All The Important Areas

Since you are working outside, the solution may blow away during the application process.

Covering all the sensitive shrubs and vegetation before applying paver sealer remover is essential. If there is any furniture near the pavement area, cover them too.

But what to use to cover these items? You can use plastic sheeting, which is waterproof and durable. It can keep your belongings protected.

If the pavement is next to your house door, use tape-plastic sheeting around the edges of the door frame. It will provide a layer of protection against any potential overspray or splatter.

It is best to avoid working on a highly windy or sunny day as it may affect the effectiveness of the sealant stripper.

Step: 03— Wearing Protective Equipment

Do you want to use any chemical-based paver sealer remover? If so, you want to wear protective equipment.
These chemical substances may harm you when you inhale them or they come into contact with your skin, eyes, or respiratory system.

But what safety gear will you need? It is a good rule of thumb to wear goggles or a face shield, a respirator or a mask with appropriate filters, and long-sleeved clothes.

Step: 04— Applying A Paver Sealer Remover

What tool to use to apply paver sealer remover? Should you use your bare hands to apply the solution?

If you have skin allergies, chemical-based solutions can be risky to use with bare hands.

One of the simple tools is a pump sprayer. Make sure to clean the sprayer properly before adding the paver sealer stripper. Determine how many solutions you will need to cover the entire area.

Test the solution on a small inconspicuous area and adjust the nozzle appropriately for the desired spray pattern and coverage.

Start applying the solution carefully. Avoid using the stripper on the entire region.

Target only 100 square feet at a time. Applying the solution on a vast area at a time will cause faster dry-out before you start working on them.

Step: 05— Pressure Washing The Old Sealer

After applying the sealant remover, wait for 5-10 minutes. This will help the product penetrate and break down the sealer effectively.

It will make the sealer remover softer and minimize the effort required to remove the sealer from the paver surface.

Now, you can use a pressure washer to remove the soft sealer from the pavement surface. Don’t use higher pressure setting initially. Slowly increase the pressure level based on the requirements.

Make sure to maintain a distance of 12-18 inches from the paver surface. Keeping a consistent distance and angle is a good practice too.

Rinse the area thoroughly to remove all stripper solutions from the site.

Step: 06— Finishing Up The Job

Do you still see any substances on the pavement surface? If so, use a nylon brush and scrub off them.
It will agitate and dislodge any stubborn residue or sealer that was not removed by the pressure washer alone.

Make sure to use a circular or back-and-forth motion while paying extra attention to susceptible areas. Follow the same method to remove water-based paver sealer from other areas.

How to Remove Paver Sealer With A Steam Cleaner?

Sometimes, household owners may apply too much paver sealants on the concrete surface. Or they might have followed an incorrect approach to seal the pavement surface.

You can use a steam cleaner to remove over-applied paver sealer easily. Paver sealant mainly contains oils or hydrocarbon-based materials.

You can use a degreaser to remove the sealant. Add the correct amount of water based on the manufacturer’s instructions.

Depending on the manufacturing recommendation, let it sit for a few hours, and use a brush or scrubbing tool to agitate the paver surface.

Wondering how to naturally remove paver sealer? Citrus-based cleaners come in handy for this purpose. They can remove different-based adhesives.

What to Consider When Using A Steam Cleaner?

The process to get rid of paver sealant is almost the same as the one I mentioned. But here are key criteria you don’t want to overlook.

1. Different product reacts differently based on the surface. Test the product on an unnoticeable area before using it on the whole pavement surface.
2. Use the steam cleaner carefully to scrub away the liquid substance from the pores of the pavement surface. Let it soak appropriately.
3. The steam cleaner might not remove some dirt and residue. Use clean water to get rid of them.

What Are Some Effective Methods to Remove Sealers from Different Surfaces?

To effectively remove flex seal from plastic surfaces, there are several methods worth considering. One effective option is using rubbing alcohol or acetone, which can help dissolve and remove the sealer. Another method involves using a heat gun or hairdryer to soften the seal and gently peel it off. Additionally, utilizing a plastic scraper or a toothbrush with baking soda and water can be successful in removing flex seal from plastic surfaces.

Bonus Tips To Remove Paver Sealer

You have already learned how to remove paver sealers correctly. The followings are some bonus tips to make your project easier and seamless.

i) Consider Your Pavement Surface

Some products may contain extremely harsh chemicals. They can cause discoloring or fading issues on your pavement surfaces.

Pavements come in various types, such as flexible, rigid, and composite pavements. Before choosing a particular paver sealer remover, make sure it won’t cause any harm to the pavement.

ii) Keep Pets And Kids Away

Make sure to keep children and pets away while you are working in the area. If you use chemical-based products, kids and pets might be harmed by direct contact. Either keep them busy during the application process or do it when they are sleeping.

iii) Choose A Perfect Day

Avoid applying the seal remover in any unpredictable weather conditions. Too much sunny conditions or heavy rainfall is not an appropriate time to work on this project.

It will affect the result. You won’t get the expected outcome. Your time and efforts will go in vain.

Check the weather forecast to determine the perfect weather to remove pavement sealant.

iv) Use A Hot Water Pressure Washer

Regularly water in a water pressure washer is okay to use. But if you want to make the pavement sealant softer quickly, use hot water.

It will make the removal process easier. However, make sure the hot doesn’t touch your nearby plants. Cover them with plastic sheeting.

FAQ’s

Verdict

If you know the right approach, taking off the older pavement sealant and adding a new one won’t be a concerning point.

Apart from product quality, your installation method will determine the durability of the paver sealer.

I have already mentioned how to remove paver sealer step-by-step. Let me know if you need any further help!