Is your concrete driveway sealed or not? Are there benefits of sealing your concrete driveway, and why should you not do this? Most people use concrete on their driveways to make them durable. However, not all of them seal the concrete driveways after stamping and staining.
Sealing a concrete driveway will help prevent it from moisture, as well as make it durable and beautiful. But you’ll spend a lot of money installing, and it requires regular maintenance. Also, it takes time to install, and some of the sealers are not eco-friendly.
In this article, we’ll help you make a better decision by giving an in-depth explanation of the pros and cons of sealing the concrete driveway. Read!
Pros of Sealing Concrete Driveway
Prevents the Driveway from Getting Moist
You need to consider sealing your concrete driveway to prevent it from being moist all the time. Remember, concrete is an absorbent material, so moisture can easily get into it. When this happens, your concrete driveway will likely get spoilt, prompting you to incur additional costs repairing it.
A moist concrete will also encourage the growth of mold, which with time will damage it. Furthermore, if you’ve got a moist concrete driveway, you’re likely to have accidents, but the thin film formed by the sealer will prevent all this from happening.
It Makes the Concrete Driveway Stain Resistant
Another benefit of sealing your concrete driveway is that it won’t have stains. This prevents this surface from harboring tough stains from grease, oil, or paint. So, your driveway will not have permanent ugly marks on it.
Beautifies the Driveway
When you apply sealers on your concrete driveway, you’ll have a beautiful floor. It will also protect the design or pattern on your driveway, helping you maintain its appearance for a long time.
The sealer will also help you maintain your concrete driveway’s color. Note that most people are now into colored concrete. But to have it retain its original color can be a challenge. However, the sealer coating will prevent it from fading. It will also make it shinier if you opt to use glossy sealers.
Makes It Durable
Sealers will help you have the concrete driveway in shape for a very long time. Since it’s resistant to moisture, stains, and cracks, you’ll have it increase its lifespan. The best thing about sealing the driveway is that it will give you an easy time identifying stains or pigments. This is because it makes them more vibrant. So, you’ll clean the mess and have it in perfect shape for ages.
It’s Easier Sealing the Driveway
Also, you’ll not struggle to apply the sealers on your concrete. So, you can do it as a DIY project as long as you’ve got the right materials. When you do this, you’ll be saving on costs and also customize the look.
Helps Keep Old Concrete Driveways in Perfect Shape
Sealing your old concrete driveways will help revive them and prevent them from looking dull and neglected. This will help you have a good-looking driveway regardless of its age. Any further damage that can arise from an old driveway, like cracks, will be a past tense if you apply sealers.
Easy To Clean
If you seal your concrete driveway, you’ll not experience challenges cleaning it. This will help you keep this space neat and attractive. If you’re cleaning the driveway, no water will hold in the cracks. But without sealing, it will give you a hard time cleaning, especially when using a broom.
Provides Additional Protection from UV Light
Sealing concrete driveway will be beneficial to you and your family plus the floor. Those in your compound will not suffer when walking on an extra hot driveway which can be uncomfortable. Also, your driveway will live to serve you longer as the sealers will prevent oxidation which can contribute to its weakness.
Cons of Sealing Concrete Driveway
Makes the Floor Slippery
One of the major disadvantages of sealing a concrete driveway is that it becomes slippery and shiny. This means that when one carelessly walks through it, more so without anti-slip shoes, their chances of falling increase.
Also, a shiny driveway can be difficult walking through when the sun is high up as you’ll strain your eyes. But this is something you can correct by applying grit additive to the sealer.
Requires Regular Maintenance
You will also have to do regular maintenance on your concrete driveway to have it in good condition. Remove mud, leaves, or flowers on the surface. Additionally, you will have to reseal it after some time. Remember, the sealers are prone to fade, and this will prevent your driveway from maintaining its shine and coolness.
Expensive To Install
Sealing a concrete driveway with an eco-friendly sealer will also cost you a good amount of money. In addition to that, this best type of sealer will require you to dig deeper into your pockets to apply them because it involves several steps.
Non-Environment-Friendly Sealers Are Harmful to Your Health
Another thing you need to be watchful about when applying sealers is the harmful chemicals they contain. These chemicals, which help the sealers be water-resistant and stain-resistant, require expertise to handle. So, it’s best to let professionals help you out or use protective gear when using them.
Not The Best Choice for Newly Installed Concretes/ In Cold Areas
If it’s been less than a month since you installed your concrete driveway, it’s advisable not to seal it. This is because it’s still fragile and prone to spoil within no time. Also, sealing your driveway in a region with extreme cold weather is not ideal. Your concrete driveway is likely to have cracks and frosts in such an area, forcing you to do regular repairs. These will be extra expenses for you.
Requires Time to Install
Even though sealing the driveway is easy, it will take your time to do so. You’ve got to give the concrete time to dry up before using it or applying an additional layer.
High Chances of It Retaining Tire Marks
If you drive your car with hot tires regularly on a sealed concrete driveway, then be ready to witness tire marks. With time the hot tires will make this surface discolor, making it look uncared for. You might also have to reseal it, which is an additional expense.
Not Fully Wear Resistant
Sealing a concrete driveway protects it from oil and grease stains. However, it doesn’t fully prevent the stains from the surfaces, a reason why you’ve got to reseal after some time, what more is if you use poor quality sealers which don’t provide the required protection. To avoid using substandard sealers, do your research on the one you’re yet to buy. Or ask the experts to get the best.
Will Make You Incur Additional Costs
Apart from the installation and purchase costs, you will also spend other monies if you opt to seal your concrete driveway. To avoid this, talk to your contractor to know the overall cost and spend within your budget. Let them also tell you all the requirements to seal the driveway to avoid such inconveniences.
Bottom Line
Sealing a concrete driveway is an individual decision that requires you to prepare financially as it’s costly. However, after doing this, your driveway will look neat and well taken care of. The sealer will also protect it against moisture and stain, enabling the driveway to serve you for a long time.
