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”.
Outdoor concrete sealers are not only worthwhile but necessary. Experts who recommend having a concrete surface sealed are doing their customers a big favor. Without this extra layer of protection, concrete will absorb moisture and may begin to crack, spall, flake, and discolor, among other things.
Concrete should be sealed to protect from mold and mildew.
When this moisture doesn't dry and the surface is left wet for an extended period of time, mildew begins to form and mold begins to grow. You'll know you have mold growing on your concrete by the greenish color that appears.
The Drawbacks of Seal Coating
There are some drawbacks to sealcoating, however. One is that it can be messy and difficult to apply evenly. It's also important to note that sealants will not repair significant damage to your driveway; they will only protect it from further damage.
APPLYING TOO MUCH SEALER OR THE WRONG KIND OF SEALER
While slathering seal coat over asphalt in a thick layer can be tempting, a “more is better” approach is detrimental to the pavement beneath. Too much sealer can lead to premature cracking, which will shorten the lifespan of your driveway.
If it isn't already obvious, having a concrete sealer greatly improves your driveway's ability to stand up to the elements, thereby allowing it to last longer. With proper application of the sealer and regular resealing, a concrete driveway can be expected to last for many years without forming any cracks.
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.
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.
So, what happens if you don't seal your concrete patio or driveway? Well, your concrete will probably look just fine for a few years. But over time, you will notice a lot of differences in the look, feel, and durability of the concrete. First, the color of the concrete will likely change.
If you want to clean your concrete, there are a few things to keep in mind. You should use a pressure washer or other high-pressure water source to remove stains such as oil and grease. When using a pressure washer, be careful not to damage the sealer on your driveway by putting too much pressure on it.
The Importance of Sealing Concrete
Sealing concrete provides ongoing protection. Just as you paint your home regularly, you should seal your concrete routinely to protect it from moisture and prolong its life.
Concrete sealer is a protective barrier that gives longevity to concrete and makes cleaning easy. If your concrete is new, you'll need to let it cure; wait at least one month before applying sealer.
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.
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.
Another major drawback of sealed concrete flooring is their propensity for showing scratches and wear in high foot traffic areas.
PermaSeal® is a long-lasting, permanent seal that protects your concrete structure for good. PermaSeal® speaks for itself. That's why we demonstrate our process for you, so you can make a confident and informed choice yourself.
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.
Sealer that is applied too heavily or too often will create an impermeable barrier and trap that water vapor beneath it. If enough pressure is created by trapped water vapor, the sealer can delaminate from the concrete surface, and might even take some of the concrete paste with it!
Generally speaking, you can use concrete sealants to repair or protect concrete surfaces. If you have a repair project at hand, you will want to use a flexible filling material like Loctite PL Concrete Self-Leveling Polyurethane Sealant to repair driveways, garage floors, concrete floors and decks, and sidewalks.
Sealers can be slippery. Sealing concrete can create a slippery surface, especially when wet.