Homeowners appreciate concrete and masonry because they are super durable materials. To keep these surfaces looking great over time, however, they should be properly sealed. Bricks, pavement and concrete will all last longer if treated with a waterproof sealer.
Learn more about the benefits of sealing your concrete residential driveways, patios, garage floors and more. We have also provided a quick guide to the different types of sealers available.
Advantages of Sealing Concrete Surfaces
Most people assume that because concrete is such a tough material, it doesn’t need any extra treatment. ‘Why should I worry about sealing the concrete?’ homeowners ask. Well, sealing concrete offers a wide range of benefits that help maintain your investment and keep it looking nice for as long as possible.
Durability
When concrete is laid outside, it’s exposed to a lot of factors which can potentially lead to damage:
- Harsh weather,
- Temperature changes,
- UV rays,
- Automotive oils and chemicals,
- Charcoal from the grill and other things that stain,
- Sharp tools, such as snow shovels,
- De-icing chemicals products,
- Corrosion caused by water and salt,
- Extreme weight and pressure applied to the surface by cars, etc.,
- Daily wear and tear.
Driveway materials have to put up with a lot over the years. The application of a sealant helps extend the life of outdoor concrete by making it more resistant. It reinforces the density and hardness of the material, significantly increasing its tensile strength. This helps prevent cracks, scaling and water damage. With proper sealing and maintenance, a regular concrete driveway can last up to 30 years before needing to be redone.
Curb Appeal
Sealing concrete really enhances the look of a concrete surface. The sealer is transparent and maintains the material’s original color and keeps dirt and grime from building up on the walkway, driveway, or patio. It also helps prevent permanent staining from leaves, flowers, berries and other plant material that falls on the surface from staining the concrete and making it appear to be constantly dirty. A sealed concrete surface stands up to dusting, efflorescence and cracking.
Low Maintenance
A sealed garage, driveway, or patio is much easier to clean. It basically cleans itself whenever it rains, as the water whisks away dirt from the surface. Then, tougher leaf litter and grime buildup can be easily swept or sprayed away to clear the surface. Plus, sealed concrete is stain resistant. Harsh liquids can’t penetrate down into the concrete, so it’s possible to clean it up before stains set in.
Check out our Essential Concrete Driveway Maintenance Tips.
Types of Concrete Sealers
There are a few different types of products that can be applied to stamped or poured concrete in order to cure and seal the surface.
Penetrating Sealers
Silicates, siliconates, silanes, and siloxane products seal all the small openings in the concrete even below the surface. This type of treatment also makes the surface more slip-resistant which is great for applications like concrete floors, walkways or pool decks.
Siloxane Concrete Sealer
Prosoco’s Saltguard WB Siloxane Concrete Sealer is the ultimate concrete sealer, and the only sealer that Trotta’s uses for driveways and paved walking paths. It effectively blocks out moisture and has a transparent, natural look. It will last 8 years between applications. This is why it’s considered superior to all other sealants and why it’s standard procedure for Trotta’s Power Washing, Inc.
Film-Forming Sealers
Acrylic, polyurethane, and epoxy sealers have a high-shine effect that looks nice on decorative masonry or a patio area. They keep water from seeping into the concrete and lock it out of the surface.
Acrylic Concrete Sealer
This type of product is easy to use on both interior and exterior surfaces. It has a wide variety of flat or gloss finish options, is UV resistant and dries fast. In particular, water-based acrylic sealers are recommended for stamped concrete and interlocking pavers. Because acrylic sealer stands up well to chemicals like chlorine, it’s often applied around pools.
Epoxy Concrete Sealer
For indoor surfaces, epoxy products are recommended. They can be applied to everything from concrete flooring to countertops. They stand up well to water, abrasion and heavy traffic. This kind of sealer offers medium to high-sheen finishes and can be colored.
Polyurethane Concrete Sealer
This is a good all-around product for interior and exterior surfaces. It stands up well to liquid chemicals, abrasion and discoloration. The finish is very durable and there is a selection of finish options.
Call Trotta’s for Concrete Care
Take care of your investment with some expert help from Trotta’s. We provide residential concrete cleaning and sealing services, as well as stamped concrete maintenance. Trotta’s offers so much more than power washing services to our loyal customers in Ohio.
Spend less time on your next home improvement project by calling (330) 940-3705 or requesting a free quote online.