Maintain Your Patio or Porch

Sealer May Protect Surfaces

Many kinds of stone and unglazed tiles are porous. Depending on the type of material, their surfaces absorb water. This porosity means they can be stained by spills, dirt, wet leaves, and rusting metal, such as grills or tools. To prevent staining and keep patio surfaces looking fresh, stone and tile surfaces should be finished with the right kind of sealer. Your tile or stone supplier should be able to make specific sealer recommendations for particular types of materials available in your area.

Bricks, concrete, and concrete pavers are impervious to the effects of moisture and temperature fluctuations. Home maintenance experts usually don't recommend sealers for these types of porches and patios. The exceptions include eating areas where spills can occur; a sealer can help prevent stains, especially from colored liquids such as fruit juice or wine. Also, a sealer could help deepen the color of the masonry. Because the colors of brick and concrete pavers can fade with time, a sealer can be used to restore and enhance colors.

Sealers are either surface-type or penetrating, and can be water-base or solvent-base. Surface-type sealers resist moisture and stains well. These home maintenance products have a higher degree of sheen than penetrating sealers, but surface-type sealers must be stripped off and replaced every two or three years. Penetrating sealers have a softer sheen, might darken the color of the material slightly, and, over time, allow it to develop a patina. Penetrating sealers can be maintained by simply applying a fresh coat. Mortar-set materials usually are set and grouted before sealing. To prevent grout from staining the surface of the masonry, the paving materials are set in place and then coated with a water-soluble grout sealer. After the grout is applied and has cured, the grout sealer is washed off. Then the entire floor surface is sealed, including the grout.