A lot of people believe that their concrete driveway requires little or no maintenance. One of the most important aspects of good driveway care is sealing the concrete. Advice on this varies from every 2-3 years to every 4-5 years, and which is more suitable for your own driveway depends on the type of concrete used and other factors. To get an accurate answer for your own circumstances, it is advisable to discuss the first sealing with the concrete driveway sealer who has laid your driveway. The contractor may well offer to carry out the initial sealing once the concrete is ‘cured’ after laying, which usually takes a period of anywhere from 7 to 28 days.
If you want to learn more about concrete driveways, check out our resources:
1. How Much Does a Concrete Driveway Cost
2. Asphalt vs Concrete Driveways: Why Concrete Is Often the Better Choice
3. How Long Does It Take for Driveway Sealant to Dry?
4. Concrete Driveway Installation
5. What Are The Most Common Types of Concrete Driveways?
6. Modern Concrete Driveway Ideas
The best time to seal your driveway is usually summer, when the weather is dry. Avoid times when either leaves or seeds are falling. If you cannot find concrete driveway sealer in your local home improvement stores, ask the concrete driveway sealer who laid your driveway if they can either supply you or suggest a local stockist.
Before sealing, it is important to carry out any maintenance tasks such as filling cracks, holes, or other damage. While filler is relatively cheap and should only cost a few AUD per gallon, it is worth noting that you will find it difficult to find filler which exactly matches your existing concrete, so any repairs will likely be visible. Any repairs you carry out will also need some time to cure, usually 2-3 days.
The next step prior to sealing is to clean the driveway. A pressure washer takes care of most stains and marks, and TSP (Trisodium phosphate) is ideal for getting rid of stubborn stains such a soil or petrol.
If you need more advice on sealing your driveway, or any other aspect of concrete maintenance, call us today on 1300 366 343.
