Why seal concrete here
Concrete around Denver goes through a lot of freeze-thaw cycles every winter, plus mag chloride off your car. Water and salt soak in, freeze, and slowly flake off the top layer. A good sealer cuts down on how much gets in.
Two kinds of sealer
- Penetrating sealer soaks in and doesn't change how the concrete looks. It's what we recommend for most driveways and walks. It isn't slippery and it doesn't peel.
- Film-forming sealer sits on top and gives a darker, slightly glossy look. It's better for stamped and colored concrete. It needs redoing more often, and we add grit to it on walkways.
How we do it
Every job starts with a hot water clean and any stain treatment. Then the concrete has to dry, which often means we come back the next day. We won't seal damp concrete. It traps moisture and can turn the sealer white. We spray or roll it on in even coats and keep it off the garage door, siding, and plants.
Before and after
- Keep cars off for at least 24 hours, longer in cool weather
- Turn off any sprinklers that hit the concrete for a day
- New concrete needs about 28 days to cure before it's sealed
Penetrating sealers usually last 5 to 10 years. Film-forming sealers last 2 to 3.
Price
Priced by the square foot, usually $0.85 to $1.75 depending on the sealer and the surface. The cleaning beforehand is included.
Sealing questions
Will it make my driveway slippery?
Penetrating sealer won't. Film-forming sealer can, which is why we add grit on walks and steps.
When is the best time to seal?
Late summer and early fall, on dry days before the first freeze.
Can you seal over old sealer?
If it's the same type and still in decent shape, usually yes after a good clean. If it's peeling or a different type, it has to be stripped first, and we'll quote that.
More in the FAQ, or get in touch.
