After you have a beautiful concrete patio or driveway poured, what is the next step? Is there any way to ensure it will stay un-cracked and just as beautiful as the day it was poured? Concrete sealer can protect your investment and help you enjoy your concrete surfaces for as long as possible. Silver State Floor Restoration is here to answer some frequently asked questions about sealing your concrete surfaces.

Is it Necessary to Seal My Exterior Concrete?

There are several reasons you should seal concrete. If you are dealing with a driveway or other area that is a high traffic area, a sealer can protect against stains. Items that can stain your concrete would be leaves, pet feces, oil and other liquids that may leak from a vehicle. The biggest benefit you will find when sealing your concrete, is avoiding cracks and other damage to your concrete. Sealing any concrete that has been stained or stamped will help to avoid any fading that may happen from the sun and protect the color of your concrete.

Will Sealing it Change the Way My Concrete Looks?

Concrete sealers can come in a variety of finishes. Most sealers are almost completely invisible once they penetrate into the concrete. You can put sealers on your concrete that have finishes ranging anywhere from satin to high gloss finishes. You can also choose sealers that have color enhancers in them to enhance any stained or colored concrete.

When to Apply Concrete Sealer

That usually depends on the type of sealer that’s being used. Silanes, Siloxanes, epoxies, or urethanes should be applied 28 days after the concrete has been poured to give the concrete time to completely cure. Siliconates, silicates, and acrylic-resin sealers can be applied as early as the concrete has set up enough to withstand the weight of whoever is applying the sealer.

How Long Does Concrete Sealer Last?

This depends on the amount of traffic your concrete is exposed to from day to day. You can usually count on concrete sealer lasting about 1-3 years. A good indication would be water not resting on top of the concrete any longer. You will notice after your concrete is sealed, water will bead up on the surface of your concrete. When this no longer happens, it is likely your need to reseal your concrete.

Cost to Clean & Seal Concrete

Acrylic resin sealers and penetrating sealers usually cost about $0.15 to $0.25 a square foot on average. For high performance sealers such as epoxy and urethane sealers, you will probably be looking at spending about $0.50 to $2.50 per square foot. Even though this may seem like a lot of money to spend when you have already spent money on the concrete itself, it is just like anything else. You want to protect your investment, and concrete sealer will do just that. Replacing concrete usually costs about $7 to $8 per square foot, so it is more cost effective to spend the money to protect rather concrete than replace it.

Concrete Cleaning & Sealing in Las Vegas, Summerlin, North Las Vegas & Henderson Nevada.

If you have concrete that you haven’t gotten sealed, Silver State Floor Restoration can help. Technicians with the proper training and tools will seal and protect your concrete investment. Call for an appointment today.