The new house has concrete pavers. Our environment has some snow/salt exposure. Enough that regular concrete tends to spall. Therefore the builder switched to the pavers
I was considering sealing them but when I went to discuss it with the supplier I asked him if it really needed done. He basically said it would protect from oil stains etc.. but that it was basically not needed for the salt exposure.
Has anyone had any practical experience with pavers in a road salt environment?
Going to be about $700 in product and frankly I'd rather go shooting than another project.

They worked well for a driveway extension for 10+ years. No sealant, no yearly maintenance other than occasionally pulling weeds growing between the bricks. One oil spill did make several of them a darker red, so I was tempted to use some used motor oil to stain the rest so they would all be the same color. Our roads are definitely salted in the winter and didn't appear to affect them.

Go buy some more ammo is good advice.

No salt experience but sealing will help against stains as mentioned but not necessary.

My pavers don’t need anything. Plus, they aren’t as slick as concrete which a sealed paver may be but I don’t know for certain.
Go buy ammo or new scope!

I used this technology of sealer on my front porch and pool concrete decks:

Siloxane-Based Concrete Sealers 2025

In this updated article, I discuss siloxane-based Concrete Sealers. If you have encountered any issues, have suggestions, or have questions, please comment below.
Siloxane Concrete SealersPenetrating Siloxane Concrete Sealers

Siloxane-based Sealers are Best for Poured Concrete, Brick, and all Masonry Surfaces.

Siloxane, not to be confused with Silicon, is a chemical used to formulate siloxane-based concrete and paver sealers. Siloxane-based sealers can be water or solvent-based, although the water-based blend is lower in VOCs and more compliant in certain states.

These siloxane sealers are popular among homeowners because they are user-friendly and easy to apply. They penetrate the surface and react to cause a hardened barrier within the substrate pores. Unlike other sealers, they do not stay on top of the surface.

The siloxane-based sealers penetrate up to ¼ inches deep to create a durable barrier against moisture and liquid absorption. They are best used on concrete, pavers, bricks, stone, retaining walls, and more. The clear, natural finish does not affect the surface’s appearance.

https://www.concretesealerrevi...ed-concrete-sealers/

This will greatly retard salts and other contaminates from degrading your concrete and pavers. You'll get an extra 20 years or more out of your surface, and it will stay clean WAY longer than it would otherwise before it needs another cleaning. As they say, ask me how I know.

Thanks for the replies.
Leaning towards leaving them natural.
I have learned the hard way that oil stains can be lifted out pretty well. I did an oil change and spilled a bunch of oil down the side of the engine due to a poor filler location design.
Anyway, lots of research and a tried a product called "Chomp". It actually did a really good job of lifting the oil out.

I haven’t heard of Chomp.
I might be looking for some because of some stupidity doing an oil change and trans refill in my last preventative maintenance on my truck.

Sealing also helps them retain their color as well and weeds growing in the gaps. Here in Florida sealing makes a big difference. USE a water based sealer only. Oil or solvent based traps in moisture and the sealer turns milky and looks horrible as the moisture comes up from underneath the sealer........

quote:

Originally posted by jimmy123x:
Sealing also helps them retain their color as well and weeds growing in the gaps. Here in Florida sealing makes a big difference. USE a water based sealer only. Oil or solvent based traps in moisture and the sealer turns milky and looks horrible as the moisture comes up from underneath the sealer........

Good point. Except, I think the milky bloom problem is a result of Acrylic based sealers with lots of water, vice Siloxane based sealers, whether water or solvent based.

Curious, how are concrete pavers different from poured concrete? Are they fired like ceramic? A different mix of concrete?

Pavers do not suffer from cracks (from shrinkage) as they are smaller in size and the effect of stress is based on dimension and loads are spread to individual pavers rather than a high PSI load in a concentrated area of a slab. (the interlocking provides dissipation of energy/force).

And higher PSI strength, better mixing control and curing (very important) than pre-mix poured.

And any that do crack can be removed and replaced.

Much cheaper and better appearance to any "repair" of slab drive.