Unsealed Pavers: Risks, Costs and Long-Term Damage Explained

Written by PureSeal Services on November 4, 2025. Posted in Blog, Pressure Washing

What Happens to Pavers If You Don’t Seal Them?

Pavers – whether they are made from concrete, clay, natural stone, porcelain, or reconstituted materials – are a popular choice for patios, driveways, pathways and outdoor living areas. They offer a visually appealing, durable and practical surface. However, one of the most common questions homeowners ask is about the risks, costs, and long-term damage of unsealed pavers.

“Do I really need to seal my pavers?”

The short answer is no – sealing is not legally required, and pavers will still function as a hard surface without it.
But the long answer is more complicated. Pavers that are never sealed almost always deteriorate faster, stain more easily, become more difficult to clean, and can lose their original colour within a few years.

This article explains exactly what happens to pavers if you don’t seal them, how the effects vary by material, what the long-term costs can look like, and which visible issues are irreversible once they set in.

1. Immediate vs Long-Term Effects of Not Sealing Pavers

2. Why Pavers Change When Not Sealed

Sealers work by blocking the pores in the material.
Without sealer, the following things penetrate and slowly damage the paver:

• Water

• Dirt and grime

• Oil and vehicle fluids

• Food and drink spills

• Algae, lichen and moss spores

• De-icing salts

• UV light

This leads to erosion, fading, staining, microbial growth, and structural weakening.

3. Common Problems When Pavers Are Not Sealed

3.1. Fading and Colour Loss

Most pavers are coloured either with natural pigments (stone) or man-made oxides (concrete). UV light breaks these pigments down. The result is a washed-out, greyish, chalky appearance – usually obvious within 2–3 years.

Once colour fade happens, it cannot be restored fully unless you apply tinting products or replace the pavers.

3.2. Water Absorption and Freeze Damage

Unsealed pavers absorb rainwater like a sponge.
When temperatures drop below freezing, the water expands inside the material.
This can lead to:

• Micro-cracking

• Flaking (known as “spalling”)

• Surface crumbling

• Chips at the corners and edges

This is especially common with cheaper concrete pavers and soft natural stones like sandstone.

3.3. Staining (Oil, Food, Tyre Marks, Rust)

Because unsealed pavers are porous, any liquid spill becomes a permanent stain unless cleaned immediately. Common examples:

Hiring a professional to remove deep oil stains can cost £120–£250 per visit, and even then results are not guaranteed.

3.4. Weed and Moss Growth

When pavers are not sealed, the jointing sand between them washes away over time from:

• Rain

• Jet washing

• Foot or vehicle traffic

Once joints are hollow, they trap:

• Wind-blown soil

• Seeds

• Organic matter

This creates a perfect growing bed for weeds, moss and algae.

A homeowner who doesn’t seal may spend £40–£80 per year on weedkiller, joint sand top-ups and cleaning – sometimes more than a sealer would have cost in the first place.

3.5. Surface Erosion and Loss of Texture

Any paver exposed to traffic, weather and abrasion will erode slightly over time.
Without sealer, this process accelerates and causes:

• Surface roughness

• Loose sand aggregate showing through

• Edging deterioration

• Polished areas where footfall is heavy (in stone)

What starts as a cosmetic issue can turn structural, particularly on driveways.

3.6. Efflorescence (White Chalky Deposits)

Efflorescence is a natural salt found in cement-based materials.
When water travels through an unsealed paver, it pushes the salts to the surface.
The result is a white, powdery, patchy residue that is difficult to remove.

Sealing does not cause efflorescence – but not sealing makes it far worse.

4. Cost Comparison Over 10 Years

For most properties, sealing pays for itself in reduced maintenance and extended lifespan.

5. Material-by-Material Breakdown

5.1. Concrete Pavers

• Most vulnerable to stains and fading

• Absorbs water quickly

• Can weaken structurally over time

• Benefits the most from sealing

Expected lifespan without sealer: 12–15 years
With sealer: 20+ years

5.2. Natural Stone (Sandstone, Limestone, Granite, Slate)

Natural stone is aesthetically premium, but sealant is usually essential to protect appearance.

5.3. Clay Brick Pavers

• Good colour retention

• Medium absorbency

• Can still stain and grow moss

They do not deteriorate as fast as concrete but still benefit from sealing for maintenance reduction.

5.4. Porcelain Pavers

• Very low absorption

• Stain resistant even unsealed

• Joints and grout lines still need sealing

Porcelain is the only paver type where sealing is optional, but many still seal for joint protection.

6. Visual Changes You Can Expect (If You Don’t Seal)

7. Does Every Area Need Sealing?

8. Myths About Sealing Pavers

9. When It’s Too Late to Seal

If the following have already happened, sealing may not fix them:

• Permanent deep oil staining

• Colour loss of 40%+

• Frost-flaked surface

• Cracks or chips

• Heavy efflorescence bonded deep inside the surface

• Sand base erosion or sinking

In these cases, restoration or replacement may be the only option.

10. Summary: What Happens If You Don’t Seal Pavers?

1. They absorb water, which leads to:

   • Frost damage

   • Staining

   • Weakened structure

2. They lose colour and fade due to UV exposure.

3. The joints erode, causing:

   • Weeds

   • Insects

   • Loose pavers

4. They become harder to clean over time.

5. You spend more money over 10 years than if you sealed them.

6. Some damage becomes permanent and unfixable.

11. How Weather Conditions Accelerate Damage to Unsealed Pavers

Different climates affect pavers in different ways, but lack of sealing always makes the impact worse.

Even in the UK, where the climate is considered moderate, all five conditions can occur throughout the year.

Sealing acts like a protective film that reduces the speed at which the weather can degrade the material. Without it, your pavers are fully exposed 365 days a year.

12. The Difference Between Cleaning Sealed vs Unsealed Pavers

One of the biggest day-to-day differences is how easily the surface can be cleaned.

Most homeowners don’t notice the cleaning difference until they own pavers for 1–2 years.
After that point, unsealed pavers start to look permanently dirty, even after washing.

13. Impact on Property Value and Kerb Appeal

While sealing pavers is not a legal requirement, it absolutely affects visual appeal – and that can influence resale value.

Estate agents often mention that outdoor areas are “the new extra room”, especially in modern homes with patio living space.
A sealed patio or driveway can add more perceived value than its actual maintenance cost, because it signals low future expense to buyers.

14. Insurance and Warranty Considerations

Some people don’t realise that lack of sealing can void certain warranties.

Most insurance policies won’t pay for preventable deterioration, especially if it’s due to neglect.
Sealing proves that the homeowner has taken reasonable measures to protect the surface.

15. When Sealing Doesn’t Make Sense

Even though sealing has clear benefits, there are a few situations where it may not be necessary:

Although these cases are uncommon, they do exist.
Sealing is a maintenance choice, not a legal requirement – but for most people, it’s more cost-effective than ongoing restoration.

Tags: Driveway cleaning, Exterior cleaning, gutter cleaning, Patio cleaning, pressure washing, Roof Cleaning, window cleaning