Paver cleaning and sealing is a restoration service that deep cleans pavers, treats stains and white efflorescence haze, refills the joints with polymeric sand and applies a protective sealer. myYardPros provides it for Northern Virginia homeowners whose paver patios, walkways or driveways have faded, grown weeds or moss in the joints, or lost the sand that locks the pavers together.
Pavers need periodic maintenance because the sand in their joints is what holds the surface together, and weather steadily removes it. Rain, freeze-thaw cycles, ants and leaf blowers empty the joints over time. Once the sand drops, pavers start to shift at the edges, weeds and moss take root, and water runs straight down into the bedding layer.
The surface ages too. Sun fades the pigment, humid Northern Virginia summers grow algae in shaded corners, and a white mineral haze called efflorescence can rise out of the concrete.
Shortcuts are where these jobs go wrong. Sealing over dirt or efflorescence locks it in, sealing damp pavers can turn the sealer cloudy, and polymeric sand left on the paver faces hardens into a haze. Proper work is a sequence: clean, treat, dry, sand, seal, cure. Planning a new patio? See paver patios.
A full restoration covers the surface, the joints and the protective coat.
A surface cleaner at moderate pressure lifts algae, moss and ground-in dirt from the paver faces, while a controlled wand pass flushes weeds and failed sand out of the joints to the depth new sand needs.
Grease, rust, leaf tannins and red clay each get a cleaner made for that stain. White efflorescence haze is dissolved with a cleaner formulated for concrete pavers and rinsed thoroughly, since harsh acids can etch the paver face.
Once the pavers are dry, polymeric sand is swept into the joints, compacted, topped up and blown off the surface, then misted to activate the binders that resist washout, weeds and ants.
A sealer chosen for the look you want, from invisible to color-enhancing, is applied evenly to dry pavers. It slows fading, staining and joint erosion.
The work is spread over several days because drying time cannot be rushed.
We measure the area, check for sunken or rocking pavers, failed edge restraints and drainage problems, identify any existing sealer, and test a small spot.
We clean the surface, flush the joints, treat stains and efflorescence, and rinse everything away from the house. Loose or low pavers can be lifted and reset at this stage.
Pavers and joints must dry before sand goes in, which typically takes one to two days of dry weather and longer in shade or humidity.
Polymeric sand is swept in, compacted so it settles, refilled to just below the paver edge, and cleared from the surface with a blower. A light, repeated mist activates it without washing binder onto the pavers.
After the sand has set, sealer is applied in even coats and left to cure. We explain when you can walk and drive on it, then review the finished surface with you.
A slow move along a sealed herringbone paver walkway after rain, showing water beading on the surface and tight, sand-filled joints between the pavers.
Sealers differ mainly in how they change the appearance and how they wear.
| Penetrating (natural look) | Water-based film (matte to satin) | Solvent-based (wet look) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Little or no visible change | Mild color enhancement, low sheen | Darker, richer color with gloss |
| Joint sand | Does not bind the sand | Many products stabilize joint sand | Some hold on the sand surface |
| Traction when wet | Unchanged | Usually close to unsealed | Can be slick, grip additive advised |
| Typical reseal interval | About 3 to 5 years | About 2 to 4 years | About 2 to 3 years |
| Watch for | No color boost if pavers are faded | Needs a dry surface and mild weather | Can cloud if moisture is trapped, buildup may need stripping |
Walk the surface after a rain and look closely at the joints.
Tell us what you are seeing. We will look at the site, explain the options in plain terms and give you a written estimate.
Paver cleaning, polymeric re-sanding and sealing in Northern Virginia typically costs about $1.50 to $4 per square foot as of 2026, which puts many patios and walkways between roughly $600 and $2,500. Cleaning alone costs less. These are market planning ranges, not myYardPros quotes.
What moves the number: total square footage, how much joint sand has to be removed and replaced, joint width, the amount of efflorescence and staining, and the sealer type and number of coats. Stripping a failed old sealer adds significant labor. Lifting and resetting settled pavers is repair work, priced separately.
We price after a site visit. Request an on-site estimate or call (571) 200-9600.
Before you decide: Maintenance & Care Guides · All cost and pricing guides · How we price a project · How our estimates work
We clean and seal paver patios, walkways, pool surrounds and driveways across Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Arlington counties, including Leesburg, Aldie, Purcellville, Reston, Lorton and Dumfries. Permits are not typically needed.
Sealers and polymeric sand generally need mild temperatures, commonly above about 50 degrees, and a dry window of a day or more, so late spring through early fall is the working season.
Clay soil is the other local factor. When pavers sink or heave, the cause is usually the base or water beneath it, and sealing will not correct that. We can assess whether a section needs rebuilding as part of our paver driveway and patio work, or whether yard drainage should come first.
Most sealers allow light foot traffic after about 24 hours and vehicles after 48 to 72 hours, depending on the product, temperature and humidity. Keep sprinklers off and furniture, planters and mats away for a few days so nothing imprints or traps moisture.
Most paver surfaces here are resealed every two to four years. Full sun, vehicle traffic, pool chemicals and de-icing salt shorten the interval, while covered or lightly used patios go longer. A simple test: if water darkens the pavers and soaks in quickly instead of beading, the sealer has worn off.
It is usually efflorescence, natural salts carried to the surface by moisture moving through concrete pavers, which dry as a white powder. It is cosmetic and common on newer installations. It should be removed with a suitable cleaner before sealing, or the sealer will trap it underneath.
Many paver manufacturers suggest waiting roughly 60 to 90 days or longer after installation, so efflorescence has time to surface and be cleaned off. Check the guidance from your paver maker, and confirm the pavers are clean and completely dry before any sealer is applied.
No, but it helps considerably. Polymeric sand hardens in the joint and resists washout, ants and seeds rooting from below. Over the years, windblown dirt settles on top and seeds can sprout in that layer. Occasional rinsing and resealing on schedule keep joints tight far longer than plain sand.
Penetrating and most matte water-based sealers leave traction close to unsealed pavers. High-gloss, film-forming sealers can be slick when wet, especially on smooth pavers and around pools. A grip additive mixed into the final coat reduces that. Tell us where the surface gets wet and we will recommend a suitable finish.
Long-form guides on paver cleaning & sealing from the crew that does the work, with Northern Virginia costs, timing and permit detail.
Water that gets into an empty joint freezes and lifts the paver beside it. Salt follows it in. The weeks between now and mid-October are the last chance to seal and stabilize before that cycle starts.
Efflorescence that must come off first, joints flushed to the right depth, polymeric sand activated without haze, and a sealer chosen for breathability as much as looks. The full sequence for Northern Virginia pavers.
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All guides in this category · Planning guides · Glossary · FAQ
A paver patio is an outdoor floor of concrete, porcelain or natural-stone units laid over a compacted stone base instead of a poured slab.
A paver driveway is a vehicle-rated surface of thick interlocking concrete pavers laid over a deep, compacted stone base.
Pressure washing uses pressurized water, usually through a rotating surface cleaner, to lift algae, mildew, dirt and stains from hard flatwork such as concrete driveways, sidewalks, patios and pool decks.
A walkway is a paved or stone route between the places people walk every day: driveway to front door, gate to patio, door to garden.
Tell us about your property and what you want to fix or build. We will visit, measure and send a clear written estimate. We serve Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Arlington counties.
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