White, cloudy or blotchy pavers are one of the most common things we see in Lakewood Ranch, especially on pool decks and lanais. The white usually comes from one of two very different problems, and the fix for one can make the other worse. Here is how to tell which one you have, what it takes to fix, and what it costs.
Two problems that look the same
- Efflorescence: natural salts inside the pavers rise to the surface as water evaporates and leave a powdery white film. It is most common on newer pavers and after heavy rain or sprinkler overspray.
- Hazy or failing sealer: the old sealer itself turns cloudy, milky or blotchy, usually because moisture got trapped under it or it went down on damp pavers. It shows up as uneven patches, often worst along pool edges and in shade.
The 1-minute water test
Pour a little water on the white area and watch:
- The white disappears while it is wet and comes back once it dries: that is usually efflorescence.
- The area stays cloudy, milky or blotchy even when wet: that is usually the sealer.
- The haze feels gritty and hugs the joints: it can be leftover polymeric sand residue.
A real one: a pool deck in Greyhawk Landing
On this pool deck, the old sealer had turned hazy and blotchy, worst along the coping where pool water and sprinklers keep it damp. Sealing over it would have locked the haze in for good, so we stripped the old sealer, washed the pavers and sealed them again.
Why we never do it all in one day
Most of the hazy jobs we get called to were rushed. Prep is the most important part of sealing, so we never wash, sand and seal on the same day:
- Day 1 (say, Monday): strip the old sealer if needed, then pressure wash.
- Day 3 (Wednesday): once the pavers have had two days to dry, sweep in fresh joint sand and seal right after.
- If the sand is still pulling moisture, wait two more days before sealing.
And if it is efflorescence?
On newer pavers, efflorescence often fades on its own as the salts work out over time, so it is worth waiting before sealing. When it does not fade, a cleaner made for efflorescence removes it first. Many of those cleaners are mild acids; what you want to avoid is harsh muriatic acid, which can etch and discolor the surface. Either way, never seal over the white film.
What it costs
Most companies in our area charge $1.50 to $3.00 per square foot to clean, sand and seal. We charge $1.55. When the old sealer has gone hazy and has to come off first, stripping adds about $300 on a typical job like this one. Stripping alone, without resealing, is about $450.
If your pavers around Lakewood Ranch, Greyhawk Landing or University Town Center have turned white and the water test points to the sealer, do not seal over it. Send us a photo and we will tell you which problem you have. For the bigger picture, read is it worth sealing your pavers in Southwest Florida.