If you’ve recently poured a new concrete driveway (or even if you’ve had one for a while), you may be wondering, “Do I need to add a sealer for my concrete driveway?”
You may not think of it this way, but your concrete driveway is one of the most important features of your home. It’s the first thing people see when they drive by. And a concrete driveway that’s covered in cracks and stains immediately says something about the homeowner to visitors and passersby.
But it’s not just the fact that people notice it that makes it important. Few areas of your home take as many beatings or abuse as your driveway. Just think of the tremendous weight that it bears, day after day and week after week. And what other place in your home is likely to have chemicals like oil and coolant poured on it, year after year? Just think of all the stain-causing substances that can easily wind up on your driveway – dirt, fertilizer, pet waste, tire tracks, and more.
Unfortunately, many homeowners fail to care for their driveways well. Some experts have noted how rarely homeowners use sealer for their concrete driveways. There could be any number of reasons why this might be the case – from ignorance to apathy.
But if you want to enjoy your driveway for as long as possible and ensure that it looks its best for the entirety of its lifetime, using a sealer for your concrete driveway is an absolute must.
Why Use a Sealer for My Concrete Driveway?
Sealers work by penetrating into the surface of your concrete and creating a protective coating. This coating keeps material from leaving unsightly stains. If you fail to seal your driveway, there’s a good chance that all of that oil will leave spots that can’t be removed – even with the most powerful pressure washer. By sealing your concrete driveway, you’ll keep those stains on the surface so that they can be easily cleaned, and your driveway can return to its like-new condition.
In addition to protecting your driveway from stains, a quality sealer can help it retain its color longer by blocking out harmful UV rays and minimizing fading. And sealer can even help to eliminate or minimize efflorescence, that white, powdery salt-substance that forms from evaporated rain and groundwater.
Along with these benefits of using a sealer for your concrete driveway, you’ll also have less chance of seeing your driveway damaged by freezing and thawing water. If your sealer is working properly, it will keep more moisture on the surface of your concrete so that it can’t seep down as deeply into the pores and freeze or thaw. Without a sealer, you’ll be more likely to see cracks sooner.
So, Do You Need a Sealer for Your Concrete Driveway?
Hopefully by now you realize that the answer to that question is a resounding, “YES!” Though it may cost you a little more upfront, you will benefit from a sealer for as long as it lasts (which is around 4-5 years, so make sure you reseal every 3-4 years).
Click here to learn more about our concrete and paver sealer products.
