If you have ever wondered whether you needed to apply outdoor concrete sealer to your concrete driveway, concrete pavers, or concrete patio here are some answers. We will discuss why concrete sealing is recommended and what your options are.
Contrary to aggressive marketing by the companies selling sealing products, you don’t need to seal your outdoor concrete areas every year. However periodic sealing and regular maintenance will extend the life of your concrete and of the investment you made in it to begin with.
What happens when you don’t seal concrete slabs and concrete pavers?
Concrete Stains
Concrete is a porous material that readily absorbs liquids. Oil, salt, fertilizer, and other household chemicals can discolor and damage unsealed concrete. Concrete driveways get the worst of it. We usually park our cars in the same place. If a car leaking oil or other fluids, a small stain can grow into an unsightly mess.
Fading Concrete
Discoloration and deterioration can occur from a few different causes: sunlight, dirt, and salt. Salt and the freeze-thaw hazards of harsh winters are not an issue for an outdoor concrete sealer in Florida. But the constant UV rays from the sun are the most common source of fading concrete. Layers of dirt will gradually make your concrete look dingy and because the dirt has penetrating deep into the porous concrete, it is difficult if not impossible to remove just by pressure washing.
Cracks in the Concrete
Even without the freeze-thaw issue of northern winters, the high amount of water from humidity and Florida’s tropical rainfall can easily penetrate the slab’s porous surface. This fluctuation in moisture content can wreak havoc with the stability of the material and cause visible cracks. This takes the issue beyond the aesthetics of an ugly driveway or patio and turns it into a safety hazard if they get out of control.
What difference does an outdoor concrete sealer make?
Let’s be honest, concrete performs quite adequately if it is never sealed at all. But usually concrete around a home can make a big aesthetic difference and protect the resale value of your home.
Applying a good quality outdoor concrete sealer every few years will extend its life and keep it looking good.
Outdoor Concrete Sealers Can:
- Minimize the damage of staining agents like oil and other spills
- Protect against the fading damage of UV rays
- regulate the amount of moisture that leeches through ( lower crack risk)
- Maintain color and vibrance of concrete, particularly decorative and sketched surfaces and pavers
- Add gloss and aesthetic appeal for entertainment areas
- Increase the curb appeal and home value with a sparkling clean driveway.
How to take care of your outdoor concrete sealing
After your concrete area is sealed, regular maintenance will keep the sealer coat doing its job. Simple cleaning every few months with soap and water is a part of this routine. If you notice areas that have worn thin, a light re-application after washing is a good idea. While every sealing job is different based on the quality of the concrete surfaces and the sealant used initially, we recommend re-sealing surfaces every three years.
Total Shield Protection in Sarasota FL offers paver and concrete sealing services and options which include:
- Brick paver cleaning and sealing
- Travertine and natural stone paver cleaning and sealing
- Concrete slab and stamped concrete cleaning and sealing
- Sealing pavers around pools
- A wet look or natural look sealers
- Joint stabilization sealants
Total Shield’s sealing process includes pressure cleaning and removal of weeds or algae, re-sanding joints, and application of sealer. Sealing services by Total Shield are backed by a 2-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.
Regardless of the age of your pavers or the type of pavers, our team of professional paver sealers is here to help you achieve your desired end result. Fully qualified and insured, Total Shield Protection takes pride in providing the highest quality of service for the best value in the Sarasota area. Contact us today at 941-894-7138!
“Excellent service from beginning to end. The project: clean and seal a new paver installation. The owner explained the different types of sealants answering questions knowledgeably and patiently. They even coated a sample paver so that I see the final result prior to the application. Techs moved patio furniture carefully and restored to the original position. Most importantly, they used an excellent long-lasting product. Now, the water beads on the paver surface like a newly waxed automobile and without affecting the paver color.”
Our Service Area
Total Shield is currently providing services in Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Osprey, Port Charlotte, North Port, St. Pete, Nokomis, Englewood, Punta Gorda, Palmetto, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat Key, Parrish, Riverview, Brandon, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Seffner, Seminole Heights, Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Zephyr Hills, Myakka, and Arcadia.
