Protect Your Investment: How Salt Air and Coastal Weather Challenge Your Cambridge Pavers
Living near the ocean comes with countless benefits—stunning views, refreshing breezes, and a relaxed coastal lifestyle. However, coastal environments present unique challenges for homeowners, particularly when it comes to protecting outdoor surfaces from salt air damage. If you’ve invested in Cambridge pavers for your driveway, patio, or walkway, understanding how to protect them from the harsh effects of salt air and coastal weather is essential for maintaining their beauty and structural integrity for years to come.
The Hidden Threat: How Salt Air Damages Outdoor Surfaces
Salt air is a combination of moisture and tiny salt particles carried inland by ocean breezes, and these salt particles are naturally corrosive. When they settle on surfaces, they attract moisture and create an environment that speeds up rust and deterioration. You don’t have to live directly on the shoreline to feel its effects—even homes several miles from the water can experience salt-laden air, especially when winds are strong or humidity is high.
Traditional concrete and asphalt driveways are highly susceptible to damage from salt, leading to cracks, erosion, and discoloration over time. Pavers, especially those made from high-quality concrete, natural stone, or brick, are far more resistant to saltwater corrosion. This is where Cambridge pavers with their advanced ArmorTec® technology truly shine in coastal applications.
Cambridge Pavers: Built to Withstand Coastal Conditions
Cambridge Pavers are designed with ArmorTec® technology that ensures their vibrant colors remain intact and resist fading over time. This advanced coating protects the pavers from UV rays and weather-related wear. ArmorTec is a surface technology that helps the color last longer and resists fading from sun or salt, making these pavers particularly well-suited for oceanside environments.
Cambridge Pavers are one of the most durable options available, thanks to their ArmorTec® technology. This provides a dense, non-porous surface that resists wear and tear. Their high-quality materials and advanced manufacturing process ensure they withstand extreme weather conditions. Their non-porous or low-porosity surfaces prevent salt from penetrating deeply, reducing the risk of structural damage and maintaining the driveway’s appearance for years.
Essential Protection Strategies for Coastal Environments
While Cambridge pavers are inherently more resistant to salt damage than traditional concrete, implementing proper protection strategies will maximize their lifespan in coastal environments:
Sealing for Maximum Protection
Specialized sealers penetrate deep into the concrete pavers, reducing oil and dirt penetration while protecting them from the corrosion of de-icing salt. You can seal Cambridge pavers 60-90 days after installation to allow efflorescence to naturally dissipate. It’s important to ensure the pavers are clean and dry before applying the sealant, and reapply the sealant every 2-3 years for optimal protection.
Regular Maintenance and Cleaning
Regular rinsing with a garden hose to gently wash away salt deposits is crucial—using high pressure should be avoided as it can damage the fins. During winter months, sweeping away excess sand, salt, and other debris on precipitation-free days above freezing can keep pavers from getting stained or overly messy.
Proper Drainage Solutions
A key advantage of paver driveways is their ability to promote superior drainage. Permeable pavers allow water to pass through the surface and into the ground, reducing runoff and minimizing the risk of water pooling. This feature is essential in preventing erosion, which is a common issue in sandy and waterlogged coastal areas, and helps protect the foundation of a home and surrounding landscape.
Choosing the Right De-icing Products
Winter weather brings additional challenges, even in coastal areas. Cambridge recommends using sand as the preferred method for providing skid and slip resistance. If using de-icer, they recommend only sodium chloride (NaCl), applied sparingly, with prompt removal of loosened snow and ice to avoid build-up in concentration of the de-icing chemical.
Sodium chloride (traditional halite rock salt) can be safely used on pavers when temperatures are at or above 15 degrees Fahrenheit. For enhanced protection, calcium chloride ice melting products are favored by paver owners, as many are specially engineered to minimize tracking.
Valley Supply: Your Trusted Partner for Coastal Paver Solutions
When searching for cambridge pavers oceanside solutions, partnering with an experienced supplier makes all the difference. Valley Supply is a local family owned and operated building & masonry supply company and one of Cambridge Pavingstones best distributors. With customer service and satisfaction as their top priority since 1956, they understand the unique challenges coastal environments present.
At Valley Supply, their specialty is Cambridge Paving stones and mason supplies & materials. Unlike big box stores that carry limited selection and supplies, their knowledgeable staff are experts in this area and know exactly what your project will need from start to finish. They’re happy to help calculate how much material you’ll need for your project and the proper tools needed to complete it, making them your reliable partner for all masonry supply needs.
Long-term Benefits of Proper Protection
For homeowners in coastal areas, investing in paver driveways is a smart and stylish decision. With their superior resistance to salt, moisture, and extreme weather, along with excellent drainage capabilities and aesthetic appeal, pavers provide long-lasting benefits that traditional driveway materials simply cannot match. Their durability, low maintenance, and eco-friendly nature make them the perfect choice for enhancing coastal home functionality and curb appeal.
Investing in Cambridge Pavers is a smart decision for homeowners looking to enhance their outdoor spaces with materials that can withstand harsh weather. Their durability, combined with minimal maintenance, ensures that patios, driveways, and walkways remain functional for years.
By understanding the challenges that salt air and coastal weather present and implementing proper protection strategies, you can ensure your Cambridge pavers maintain their beauty and structural integrity for decades. With the right preparation, maintenance routine, and quality products from trusted suppliers like Valley Supply, your coastal outdoor living spaces will continue to be a source of pride and enjoyment for years to come.