Concrete driveway sealing is an important part of keeping your driveway in good condition. Sealing helps to protect the concrete from weathering, staining, and other damage. It also makes it easier to clean and maintain.
How Often Should You Seal a Concrete Driveway
How often you need to seal your concrete driveway depends on a number of factors, including the type of sealer used, the amount of traffic the driveway gets, and the climate. In general, however, it is a good idea to seal your concrete driveway every one to three years.
When it comes to concrete driveways, one of the most common questions is whether or not to seal them. There are pros and cons to both sealing and not sealing your driveway. Before you decide, such as calling a concrete sealing near me, it is essential to weigh all your options.
Sealing a concrete floor is something most professional contractors highly recommend. Although it seems just like an additional thing to do, it is more important than you think. Most homeowners are having two minds about considering concrete sealers so here is a brief guide to why you should give it a go, especially on driveways:
Key Helpful Factors of Sealing Your Driveway: The Pros
There are undeniably good facts sealed around concrete driveway sealers, and there are two that can sum up the best advantages.
One is that it helps you manage your property’s curb appeal in many ways. Another is that it helps your environment. That is true, especially for keeping safety and order in your area.
How Sealing the Driveways Helps You
One of the main benefits of sealing your driveway is that it will help protect the concrete from weather damage. Over time, exposure to the sun and rain can cause the concrete to crack and crumble. By sealing the concrete, you will create a barrier that will help prolong your driveway’s life.
Another benefit of sealing your driveway is that it can help improve the concrete’s appearance. Sealing will give the concrete a shiny, polished look that many homeowners prefer.
How Sealing the Driveway Helps Your Environment
How sealing your driveway helps your surrounding environment
Sealing your concrete driveway is not only great for protecting your investment, but it is also good for the environment.
By sealing your driveway, you prevent harmful chemicals and pollutants from seeping into the ground and contaminating our water supply. In addition, sealing your concrete driveway helps preserve our natural resources by avoiding deterioration and weathering of the concrete.
Other Benefits of Sealing Driveway
- A sealer, such as an epoxy flooring can help repel moisture and keep it on the surface. A driveway is exposed to a lot of moisture, whether it is from rain or accidental spillage. Bare concrete is very porous and any amount of moisture gets easily absorbed, which could cause damage deep within the slab.
- A sealer is stain-resistant. Because it seals off the pores, nothing gets past the surface. This means anything that could cause stains won’t be able to leave any colored pigments behind and your driveway remains protected.
- Sealed floors last longer. When a concrete slab is resistant to the most damaging elements, its lifespan is extended and zero to minimal repairs are necessary.
- Sealers enhance and maintain appearance. There are different types of concrete sealers. There are epoxy and polyaspartic sealers that create a seamless and appealing surface and there are clear ones that deepen colors and protect any design or pattern on the floor.
Drawbacks of Driveway Sealing: The Cons
While there are many benefits to sealing your concrete driveway, there are also some drawbacks that you should be aware of before making a decision. One of the biggest disadvantages of concrete driveway sealing is the cost.
The materials and labor required to seal a concrete driveway properly can be expensive. In addition, concrete driveways that are improperly sealed can trap moisture underneath the surface, which can lead to problems such as mold and mildew.
There are also some drawbacks to sealing your driveway in terms of cost. One of the biggest is that it can be pretty expensive. The sealant price can be quite high, and you also have to factor in the cost of hiring someone to do the job.
In addition, sealing your driveway can be a time-consuming process.
Other Disadvantages of Sealing Driveway
- Sealers can be slippery. Most sealers dry with a shine and create a seamless layer. It can be pretty slippery especially when wet but there is a way to increase traction. Contractors recommend adding some sort of fine abrasives to the coating to create a non-skid surface on your driveway.
- A resealing is required every few years. It is unfortunate, but sealers do fade, especially in high-traffic areas. This is why it is recommended to have the sealer reapplied every two years to ensure that the driveway is protected at all times.
- Some sealers can be dangerous to humans, pets, and plants. Most sealers are solvent-based materials that contain harsh chemicals. These require safety gear to apply because it could be dangerous to touch or inhale. There are, however, safer types of sealers. It may cost a bit more but its environment-friendly feature is worth the investment.
- Concrete sealers cannot be used on new slabs. Just like most coatings and overlays, sealers can only be used on slabs that are a month old at the least. A concrete driveway that is still curing is very vulnerable to damage.
Your Seal of Approval
Before you decide whether or not to seal your concrete driveway, be sure to weigh the pros and cons carefully. Sealing your concrete driveway is a great way to protect your investment and the environment. Still, it is important to consider all potential drawbacks before making a final decision.
Ultimately, whether or not to seal your driveway is a decision you will need to make based on your specific circumstances. If you are concerned about the cost or the time commitment, you may want to forego sealing your driveway.
However, if you are willing to invest the money and time, sealing your driveway can be a great way to protect and improve the appearance of your concrete.
Given the upsides of sealing your driveway, it’s worth investigating the cost and whether you can afford it.
What are some of the pros and cons of concrete driveway sealing that you have considered? Share your thoughts below or email us with our contact forms.
