When Long Island’s Weather Goes From Scorching to Sub-Zero: How Smart Homeowners Choose Sealers That Can Handle It All

Long Island homeowners face one of the most challenging climates in the country when it comes to protecting their outdoor investments. In Long Island, the summers are warm and humid; the winters are very cold, snowy, and windy; and it is partly cloudy year round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 23°F to 81°F and is rarely below 9°F or above 88°F. This dramatic temperature swing creates a perfect storm of conditions that can destroy unprotected pavers in just a few short years.

The Reality of Long Island’s Extreme Temperature Swings

The peak of summer warmth in July brings average high temperatures to approximately 82.8°F (28.2°C), with nightly lows around 70°F (21.1°C). In contrast, January, the coolest month, experiences average highs of about 36.7°F (2.6°C) and lows of around 26.6°F (-3°C). But it’s not just the extremes that cause problems—it’s the constant cycling between temperatures that wreaks havoc on hardscape materials.

Long Island’s climate creates the perfect storm for paver damage. Our humid summers fuel algae and mold growth that makes surfaces slippery and unsightly. Harsh winter freeze-thaw cycles crack and damage even the most durable materials. Heavy spring rains wash away the protective sand between joints, while coastal winds constantly deposit salt and debris that stain and corrode your pavers.

How Temperature Extremes Destroy Unprotected Pavers

The science behind paver damage is straightforward but devastating. When water infiltrates the microscopic pores of the brick—either from rainfall, melting snow, or general ground moisture—it expands as it freezes. This expansion puts pressure on the brick from within. When the temperature rises and the ice thaws, the water contracts, relieving that pressure. However, if this cycle repeats frequently (as it often does in climates that hover around the freezing point), the repeated expansion and contraction stress the internal structure of the brick. Over time, these forces can lead to micro-cracks, and eventually, visible fractures on the surface of the pavers.

But freeze-thaw isn’t the only culprit. While freeze-thaw cycles are one well-known source of stress, abrupt temperature swings can be just as problematic. For example, imagine a midsummer day in New Jersey when surface temperatures soar past 90°F. Then a sudden thunderstorm rolls in, dropping the temperature by 20 or 30 degrees in a short span. The brick pavers, still hot from the sun, can experience thermal shock when they come into contact with cool rainwater. This rapid cooling can lead to micro-fractures, similar to freeze-thaw damage but accelerated by the speed of the temperature shift.

Why Standard Sealers Fail in Long Island’s Climate

Not all paver sealers are created equal, and this becomes painfully obvious when Long Island’s extreme weather puts them to the test. Your sealer can freeze! You don’t want the temperatures to be so low as to affect the viscosity of the product, like in the cooler months, from being able to freely flow through the sprayers or absorb into your pavers. If it’s too cold the product will be thickened and not able to absorb into the substrate as freely as it would on a warmer day.

Temperature also affects application success. 50° or above is recommend ground temperature. Ground temperature is important because the air can be warmer than the ground and the ground helps the substrate stay warm enough for the water in the substrate to dry. On the other end of the spectrum, The increased heat can cause flash drying to occur on your pavers, if you seal them in the afternoon, making morning the prime time of day for sealing in the warmer months. So, if you’re trying to seal on a hot day you may want to pull out your temperature gun and get a good reading on the pavers you are about to seal.

Professional-Grade Solutions for Extreme Conditions

Smart Long Island homeowners understand that protecting their paver investment requires more than just any sealer—it requires professional-grade products specifically formulated for challenging climates. Our professional-grade sealers are specifically formulated for Long Island’s challenging conditions. Water-based urethanes offer environmental safety while providing superior joint stabilization. These sealers won’t yellow over time and create consistent protection during both wet and dry conditions.

The application process is equally critical. The application process requires expertise to ensure even coverage and proper curing. We know exactly how much sealer to apply—too little leaves gaps in protection, while too much creates an unsightly haze that’s difficult to remove.

The Long-Term Investment Protection Strategy

Professional Paver Sealing Long Island, NY services understand that protection starts with proper preparation. Most importantly, our service includes proper preparation. Any damaged pavers are replaced, joints are properly cleaned and filled with polymeric sand, and the entire surface is allowed to dry completely before sealing.

Paver Savers is a fully licensed and insured, locally owned and operated company that specializes in paver cleaning, sealing, and restoration. We’re passionate about providing our clients with the highest quality results at the fairest and most affordable prices. Our professionally trained and highly experienced technicians are ready to serve all of your hardscape cleaning, maintenance, and renovation needs.

The results speak for themselves. Most importantly, sealing prevents the gradual fading that many homeowners don’t notice until it’s too late. Without protection, pavers can fade to look like bare cement in as little as seven years. Quality sealing maintains vibrant colors and protects against UV damage that would otherwise require expensive restoration or replacement.

Choosing the Right Protection for Your Investment

When selecting paver sealing services for Long Island’s extreme conditions, expertise matters more than price. While pavers are so commonly used on Long Island, there used to be a shortage of companies that provided professional maintenance and restoration for hardscapes made of these materials. We started Paver Savers to answer the needs of Nassau and Suffolk County property owners and preserve the aesthetics and durability of their hardscapes. Not long after we launched our company, we established ourselves as one of the most trusted paver cleaning, sealing, and restoration contractors on Long Island.

Professional sealing services understand that if you worry about damage to your pavers through expansion and contraction, worry not. Polymeric sand turns into a rubber state when wet or cold, allowing your pavers to expand and contract while staying in their place! This flexibility is crucial for surviving Long Island’s temperature extremes.

Don’t let Long Island’s brutal climate destroy your paver investment. With temperatures swinging from scorching summer heat to sub-zero winter conditions, your hardscapes need protection specifically designed for these extreme conditions. Professional sealing services that understand local climate challenges can extend your pavers’ life from seven years to decades, protecting both your investment and your property’s curb appeal through every season Long Island throws at them.