When purchasing a house with all its assets such as picket fences, big yards and patterned driveways, it is important to think about investing in those assets as much as possible. Maintaining those things isn’t always easy or cheap but it is crucial. For instance, concrete driveways are something that every house needs and owns. So, whether you are living in conditions where the temperatures are high and the climate is tropical, or rather someplace colder with much harsher weather conditions, these driveways need to be sealed correctly in order to protect them from damaging. These are a few examples how to seal your driveway and maintain that idyllic suburban look.
Why is it important?
Sealing your driveway is important for a number of reasons. As mentioned before, weather conditions play a crucial part in this line of business. Cold weather can cause freeze thaw damage which causes cracks in the driveway or surface flaking. Also, winter salts are known to damage the driveways as they breach the surface and the steel reinforcements. What is especially important is to look out for water. Water is the number one reason when it comes to damaging the driveway. Water has the ability to penetrate through the ground and expand beneath it. This causes the water below the surface to freeze and expand, which leads to breaking the concrete, causing pits, flakes and cracks. Also, what you need to think about is the aesthetic. Keeping your driveway clean and maintaining its appearance. Sealers enable protecting your driveway from different stains and dirt that appear over the time. Different sealers can also help enhance the color or the gloss of your driveway, or make it slip resistant.
How to Do It?
First thing to do when thinking about applying the sealer is to make sure the concrete has cured. The perfect time for applying the sealer is approximately 30 days after the concrete is poured, as that is the official time needed for the concrete to cure completely. Also, it is quite important to clean the concrete completely of any stains, dirt, different residues and similar before applying the sealer. The best way to do this is to use a pressure washer. After thoroughly cleaning it, it is best to wait about 24 hours for it to dry, because in the contrary if you apply the sealer right away you risk trapping moisture in the concrete which can only lead to damage. After all the preparations are done, the next step is to decide whether you are applying the sealer yourself or hiring a professional. When purchasing the driveway sealer do your research and make sure that it is top quality.
Picking the right equipment is also very important. A plastic garden sprayer is probably the most efficient. When spraying the sealer make sure to use a penetrating sealer that will sink down into the concrete. Also, it is important to that the sealers you use allow both air and moisture to pass through. Spray the sealer evenly on the whole driveway until it absorbs it completely. When everything is finished, although the sealer itself will dry in just a few hours, it is best to keep people, cars and everything off it for about 24 hours, to make sure it sticks properly. After that you will be sure that your driveway is secured for at least a couple of years of any damages and cracks.
Concrete driveway sealers are a long term investment that certainly pays off. It is something that should be done every couple of years to ensure the protection, appearance and the overall quality of your driveway. It is a good way to save not only time but money also. It doesn’t require much skill or anything out of the ordinary, you can do it by yourself and it is something that will provide protection for years to come. So whether you just bought a new house and a new driveway or you just decided on redoing the old one, sealing the driveway is one of those things that must be done. Make your own suburban idyll with a more secure and nice looking surrounding for yourself and your family too.
