Driveway Sealing Specialists
Driveways are an investment in your home’s functionally and aesthetically. So you’ll want to make sure to get the most out of any new concrete surface you have installed. Sealing as part of the installation process is just one more way – in addition to going with the best concrete driveway installers – to ensure that your surface will last.
Concept Concrete offers premier sealing services for new and existing concrete driveways. We’ll make sure to evaluate your exact needs and provide a plan and transparent pricing for your sealing project.
To learn more about our service or for a quick and obligation-free quote, call us on 1300 366 343 today.
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
What is driveway sealant?
Sealants are a protective substance that are applied to a surface to keep the materials underneath from degrading over time. Plain concrete is a durable material, but when it comes to driveways, even the best concrete can fade or erode over time with use and exposure to the elements.
Sealing your driveway will help cut down on the wear that happens to the concrete itself while also improving the appearance of the entire driveway. Concrete tends to have a matte finish, but sealants come in a variety of formulations that can add gloss for a designer touch. These include acrylic, polyurethane, and epoxy for varying degrees of protection and shine.
Sealants help preserve driveways by placing a shield layer between the concrete and the materials that come into contact with it. This includes protection from fading from UV rays, which sealants can block out. Sealants also repel water and other substances likes grease and oil, making the driveway easier to keep clean for the long term.
Learn more about our concrete driveway services:
When to seal your driveway
The best practice for this is to have your driveway sealed after it’s been professionally installed. This will help ensure the longest lifetime for the concrete with proper treatment.
However, sealants do no last the life of the driveway itself. Think of them as a protective layer that is meant to take the strain, wear, and tear that would otherwise be inflicted on the concrete. Over time, this layer is going to be depleted, and you’ll be due for another coating.
So other than a fresh installation, how can you tell you need to seal your driveway? Sealant adds a bit of a glossy look to the concrete, so you can look for signs of wear from traffic or other use where the sealant has lost its shine.
Sealants also make the concrete less porous so water cannot absorb into the surface as much. Check your driveway after a rainstorm and look to see whether the water is beading on the surface or seems to be sinking into the concrete. If it isn’t beading, then your sealant might be less effective, and it’s time for a tune up.
How much does it cost to seal a driveway?
To start with, keep in mind that sealing is a recurring cost of sorts. You can expect to need, or want, to seal your driveway at least every five years to keep it looking fresh and new. If you have a lot of extra wear and tear, this figure could be between every 2-4 years. It’s really up to the amount of use and your personal preference on the aesthetic appeal of the surface.
Concrete sealing is typically charged per square metre, between $25 to $35 per m2 here in Melbourne. If you need your driveway professionally cleaned before it is sealed, that will come as a separate cost and service.
DIY vs. Calling in the professionals
Driveway sealing is best left to the pros for a number of reasons. The chemicals and tools used are specialised, and a legitimate concreting company will have everything they need on hand already. If you try to DIY the project, you could find yourself spending much more just to get the project under way. You also have to be sure to purchase the right kind of sealer and mix it correctly in order to preserve the integrity of the concrete below.
What’s more, driveways often require more than one coat as part of the sealing process. Considering drying times between 2-6 hours, you could spend your entire weekend grappling with the project only to find that there are uneven spots or that you’re not happy with the finished product. Professional concreters are highly trained at sealing driveways. What little you could save in labor fees you’ll spend in sweat equity.
Let Concept Concrete put the finishing touches on your driveway
Driveway sealing is considered the last step in protecting a professionally installed driveway, so it’s always best to leave it to the pros to finish the job for you. Concept Concrete is a complete concreting service provider that can install, maintain, repair, and seal any concrete driveway, walls, or flooring you may have the need for.
We’re a family owned and run business right here in Melbourne, and we’re dedicated to making sure that every customer has a hassle-free experience. That’s why we offer guaranteed on-site quotes, so you know exactly what to expect from our team and at what cost to you. Just call us on 1300 366 343 or check us out online for a free quote today!
Frequently Asked Questions About Driveway Sealing In Melbourne
How long do I have to wait to use my driveway after it has been sealed?
Check with the company that does your sealing installation for their exact recommendation, but typically you’ll want to stay off the driveway completely for 24 hours to allow the sealer to completely cure and dry before use.
Can I clean the driveway myself before it’s sealed professionally?
Yes, but you’ll want to be careful how you go about this. If you just have some light dirt and debris, you can go it alone with a garden hose and a broom. However, getting into more robust driveway cleaning involving power washing is best left to the pros. Too much pressure or a nozzle too close to the surface can actually gouge out parts of the concrete itself. It’s likely that whatever service you choose for your sealing job will also offer cleaning services as well, so be sure to ask about it.
I have a decorative concrete driveway. Is the sealing process the same?
Most likely, but your installer will go over the different types of sealer available and make their recommendation based on the exact type of decorative finishes you have. Many sealers can actually bring out the colour in decorative concrete when done properly, making them look even more vibrant than before.
How do I choose the right sealant for my driveway?
It’s best to go the route of a professional service to ensure that you have the right kind of sealant for your project. Some sealers are more glossy, some more matte, than others. And some are more suited for materials other than concrete, so be sure to check any labels if you’re insisting on doing the project yourself. That said, the professionals will be able to ensure that not only do you have the right material for your sealant but also the right number of coats and the proper safety protocols in place to apply it. Remember that sealants are harsh chemicals that can irritate the skin or the eyes no matter what they’re made of, so leaving it to the pros will also spare you some discomfort.
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