Concrete can be described as a hard sponge that soaks up oil and water-based spills. Easily marked by tires and outdoor elements, it is important to seal the surface, so it looks beautiful year-round. The other benefit to sealing concrete is improved cleaning and maintenance.
Leaving concrete unsealed will leave it with a flat look. The color will remain flatter and dull, in addition to the concrete remaining porous and easier to damage. Sealing the concrete will enhance the colors and give it more of a marble or mottled look, smoother and with richer colors.
Sealing Cons
The two main drawbacks to having your concrete and paving sealed are 1) Regular Maintenance, and 2) Resealing. 1. Regular Maintenance. The biggest myth regarding having your concrete or paving sealed is “if you get them sealed they will never get dirty again”.
While you can expect that sort of life from your concrete, you'll likely end up replacing it sooner if you don't protect it. Without sealant, it'll suffer from discoloration, cracking or even crumbling. But when you opt to seal your concrete, you increase the chance that your concrete will last for those 25-30 years.
After discussing the factors you need to look for and the regional location of the project, in broad terms, Spring is in fact the best time of year to seal concrete. With its moderate temperatures and humidity levels, it tends to provide ideal conditions for the application and curing of sealers.
Left unsealed, the colors will fade, water marks may be an issue, and stains can penetrate leaving ugly oil spots where the service guy left his old jalopy parked on the driveway. It's pure and simple, the job just won't last without a good sealer.
Some manufacturers have products available that can be applied as soon as new concrete can withstand the weight of the installer, but typically if you are looking to apply a penetrating concrete sealer, decorative or epoxy/urethane coating you will need to wait the industry standard 28 days for concrete to fully cure ...
It All Begins With Pressure Washing the Driveway
However, getting out all of the dirt and grime along with stains is a must before permanently securing them onto the driveway's surface with a sealer. Beyond prepping for sealing treatments, there are numerous reasons for pressure washing driveways on a routine basis.
Acrylic Concrete Sealers: Acrylic sealers last 1-3 years before they need to be re-coated. Epoxy Coatings: Epoxy coatings last 5-10 years before they need to be re-coated.
Can Sealing Prevent Cracks on Concrete Surfaces? Concrete sealing can stop most types of concrete fractures. This fact is especially true if the crack is a result of poor-quality work in the concrete mix or site preparation. However, sealing can prevent future damage that may start from the top layer of the concrete.
Sealing concrete also enhances its appearance, giving it a much smoother and better-looking surface, which ultimately increases the value of your property. Overall, there are numerous advantages that come with properly sealing your concrete surface - not least of which is time saved on costly repairs!
Sealing your concrete isn't really a labor-intensive, nor costly, job. By sealing your concrete every 2-5 years, as recommended by experts, you should keep your floor in good shape, preventing cracks, pitting, and additional damage.
Sealers can be slippery. Sealing concrete can create a slippery surface, especially when wet.
Another mistake to avoid is applying the sealer too thickly. Concrete sealer is supposed to dry quickly, but it won't if you put too much on, and this compromises its long-term effectiveness. It's better to apply it too thin and apply a second coat later.
The acid washing of concrete is a requirement after the concrete has cured sufficiently, in order to remove surface efflorescence and to open the pores before sealing. This will help the sealer to penetrate and result in a superior bond between the sealer and the surface.
If you choose to use a solvent-based sealer, you should apply it using a sprayer and then follow up the spray with a back roll – this helps to ensure more consistent coverage. One simple way to do this is to dilute the first coat and apply it with a roller, then apply the second coat in the opposite direction.
Additional benefits to using a concrete waterproof sealant:
Water resistance and dampness prevention. Strengthened structure – less moisture, fewer cracks, and less vulnerability to all weather elements.
The two most common methods of applying sealers to concrete surfaces are by roller or sprayer, often depending on whether the sealer is solvent- or water-based. Always refer to the manufacturer's specific application guidelines. (See Choosing the Best Sealer Applicator.)
A: Yes! Old concrete can be sealed for the first time or resealed if it has been previously sealed with a concrete sealer. Before sealing old concrete you want to make sure you determine if the concrete has been previously sealed.
For new concrete, allow it to cure for at least 28 days before sealing it with any kind of sealer. You can seal old concrete any time as long as no old sealing products are apparent. To know when to reapply topical concrete sealers, look for signs of wear, flaking, or discoloration.
Water-based sealers do not change the color of the decorative concrete, but solvent-based sealers darken the color by several shades. This darkening effect is called color saturation. The color saturation remains as long as the seal coat is maintained.