If you live in Florida and have a paver driveway, walkway, or patio, you've probably heard a contractor say you should seal your pavers. But maybe you’re wondering — do I really need to seal my pavers? Or is that just upsell talk?

We hear this question all the time, and the honest answer is: if you live in Florida, yes — you absolutely need to seal your pavers. It’s not just about making them look nice (although it helps). It’s about protecting your investment from the relentless elements we deal with here on the Treasure Coast.

Let’s break down exactly what happens if you skip sealing, and why it’s not worth the gamble.

☀️ 1. Your Pavers Will Fade Faster

Florida sun doesn’t play. Our UV index is high almost year-round, and all that sunshine slowly bleaches the natural colors in your pavers.

If your pavers were once rich red, tan, or charcoal and now look pale and dull, that’s sun damage. Without sealer, the pigment fades unevenly — especially in areas with no shade.

What to expect without sealing:

  • Uneven or splotchy fading
  • Washed-out appearance
  • No color enhancement — even after cleaning

Once the color fades, it’s gone. You can’t pressure wash it back. Only a color-enhancing sealer can bring it back to life — but even then, some damage may be permanent if you wait too long.

🌧️ 2. Water Will Wear Them Down (Quickly)

Florida isn’t just sunny — it’s wet. Between sudden downpours, lawn irrigation, and daily humidity, your pavers are constantly exposed to moisture. Over time, unsealed pavers absorb water, which can cause:

  • Joint sand erosion
  • Surface pitting
  • Cracks or shifting
  • Algae and mold growth

And let’s not forget the damage from standing water. Without a sealed surface, your pavers are sponges — soaking in everything from storm runoff to sprinkler overspray.

Sealing creates a hydrophobic barrier, meaning water beads up and rolls off instead of seeping in. That’s crucial for keeping your patio or driveway structurally sound.

🌿 3. You’ll See More Weeds, Algae & Ants

You might think sealing is all about the surface, but it actually plays a huge role in keeping your pavers clean between the bricks, too. When pavers aren’t sealed:

  • Weeds push up through the joints
  • Ants tunnel in, displacing joint sand
  • Algae and mold take hold in the damp, unsealed crevices

Sure, you can pull weeds or kill algae with bleach (not recommended, by the way), but the problem always comes back. Sealing stabilizes the joint sand, which helps lock out intruders and prevents moisture from sticking around where organic growth thrives.

🧼 4. Stains Set In and Never Go Away

Have a BBQ? Spill some oil in the driveway? Got rusty patio furniture? If your pavers aren’t sealed, those stains soak in deep — and you’ll have a tough time getting them out.

Unsealed pavers are porous, which means:

  • Oil, grease, and rust will soak in quickly
  • Mold, leaf stains, and bird droppings become permanent
  • You’ll need harsher chemicals (and more elbow grease) to even try cleaning them

With sealer, cleanup is a breeze. Most spills wipe away with a hose or gentle cleaner — no scrubbing, no discoloration, no damage.

🌀 5. Storms and Flooding Do More Damage

If your home has ever taken a beating from a summer storm (and let’s be honest, it has), your pavers likely took one too.

Without sealing, stormwater can flood underneath the pavers, wash away the base material, and leave you with uneven or sunken areas. And once the sand is gone, the structural integrity of your patio or driveway is toast.

Even tropical storms or hurricanes can do less long-term damage when pavers are properly sealed and stabilized.

💸 6. You’ll Spend More in the Long Run

Sealing your pavers costs money — we get it. But not sealing them? That’s where things get expensive.

Here’s what you might end up paying for:

  • Paver re-leveling or re-installation
  • Mold removal and cleaning chemicals
  • Joint sand replacement
  • Full surface replacement if damage gets bad enough

🛠️ What If My Pavers Have Never Been Sealed?

First of all, don’t panic. It’s not too late to start — even if it’s been years. Our process at A Buff & Beyond includes:

  • A full, eco-friendly deep clean
  • Joint sand replacement if needed
  • A premium-grade sealer designed for Florida conditions
  • A final walkthrough to make sure it looks and performs like new

We serve homeowners all across Port St. Lucie, Jensen Beach, Jupiter, Stuart, and Vero Beach, and we tailor each job to your pavers’ current condition.

✅ Final Answer: Yes, You Should Seal Paved Surfaces in Florida

The weather here is no joke — and your pavers are constantly under attack from the elements. Sealing them isn’t optional. It’s one of the best things you can do to preserve their look, protect your investment, and avoid costly repairs down the road.

So if your pavers haven’t been sealed in years (or ever), now’s the time to change that — before the damage adds up.