The durability of concrete has encouraged many homeowners to choose it over other options such as asphalt. However, to prevent staining, cracks, and deterioration, it is important to maintain your stamped concrete. In this article, we discuss why you need to seal your stamped concrete Las Vegas. This information is presented by our stamped concrete company in Las Vegas area.
One of the ways of maintaining stamped concrete is by sealing it. This creates a barrier between the concrete and external factors such as ice, snow, dirt, and grease. This is a very effective means of protecting your stamped concrete. Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t seal their concrete driveways, believing it requires no maintenance.
What damages an unsealed stamped concrete?
The following are some of the factors that can cause damage to a stamped concrete that is not sealed:
- Aggregate expansion: This happens during winter when you put salt on the driveway to melt the snow. As soon as the snow melts, the concrete absorbs the water, and then the water freezes in the concrete again. This process creates cracks in the concrete.
- Delamination: This is when blisters start to form on the surface of the concrete. Delamination occurs as a result of a continuous exposure of the concrete to direct sunlight.
- Weather disintegration: The material of the concrete can start to become brittle due to constant changes in temperature and weather conditions. This is known as weather disintegration.
- Carbonation: Concrete contains calcium hydroxide and the air contains carbon dioxide. The chemical reaction between these two chemicals forms calcium carbonate which reduces the lifespan of the concrete.
Benefits of sealing your stamped concrete
Are you still wondering if you should seal your stamped concrete? the following are some of the benefits of doing so:
- It helps to repel moisture: Although considered a strong and durable material, concrete can start to deteriorate from the inside due to constant exposure to moisture. Moist is likely to encourage the growth of moss and mold, thereby weakening the concrete. Sealing your stamped concrete will ensure that moisture is repelled and the growth of molds is prevented.
- It prevents color fading: To boost the color of the stamped concrete, many homeowners love to use a driveway concrete sealer. This makes the whole place look bright and vibrant. Also, sealing the concrete protects the color from gradually fading. It is best to hire a concrete sealing contractor to help you keep a quality look for your stamped concrete.
- It prevents cracks: Sealing the stamped concrete prevents frost heave and cracks on your path. During the process, the small holes on the concrete are also sealed, thereby minimizing any cracking.
- It is stain-resistant: Stain resistance is another benefit of sealing your stamped concrete. It will ensure that your patio, driveway, pool deck, and garage are protected from permanent stains. You are also saved from the worry about your concrete getting stained with grease and other unwanted substances. All you need to do is to wipe the stain, and your concrete will have no trace of any stains.
- It extends the lifespan of the concrete: The average lifespan of concrete is less than twenty years, especially if not well maintained. However, sealing extends the life of the stamped concrete by as much as thirty years or more.
When it comes to your driveway, it is more cost-efficient to seal your concrete than to reconstruct the driveway. Just take some time to estimate how much it would cost to construct a concrete driveway compared to sealing your concrete every 3 years.
- It helps to maintain the concrete: It is always advised to engage the service of an expert concrete sealing contractor to help to seal your concrete. This is because you will need to reseal your concrete from time to time. How often resealing will be required will largely be determined by the quality of material used and the weather condition. Experts know the seal cot that is best for your concrete.
What happens if you don’t seal concrete?
Concrete is such a porous material that is highly susceptible to water penetration. During freezing climates, the concrete can easily crack due to the constant expansion of frozen water. When sealed, the concrete is prevented from absorbing the water, thereby minimizing the chance of cracks.
When stamped concrete is not sealed, it is prone to be discolored and damaged by household chemicals such as salt, oil, fertilizers, etc. All these can easily be prevented by sealing the concrete.
Also, concrete can be slippery when wet. However, the use of sealers that have non-slip additives will make the concrete less slippery, hence, preventing accidents.
Can you seal your own stamped concrete?
When not done properly, sealing your stamped concrete can give a worse outcome than it was before the sealing.
Professional concrete sealing contractors are good at what they do. They will help you with the appropriate concrete sealers on any concrete surface including your basement, driveway, warehouse, or any other surface you would like to reseal.
There are many kinds of sealers for a concrete surface. They include film-forming sealers, penetrating sealers, siloxane concrete sealers, stamped concrete sealers, acrylic concrete sealers, etc. A professional knows the best one to use for specific areas. They have the knowledge of the best stamped concrete patio for your garage or driveway.
Professional concrete sealing contractors have the appropriate equipment specially designed to seal different concrete surfaces. These tools allow them to get the job done more effectively and quickly.
How much does it cost to seal my stamped concrete?
There are many determinants of the final cost of sealing your stamped concrete. The major ones include the type of material, the location that is to be sealed, the size, and the cost of labor. According to Angi.com, the average cost of sealing new concrete is around $1.50 per square foot.
If the area that needs to be sealed is small, your contractor may charge you a flat fee, the square footage of the job notwithstanding.
Conclusion
While it is not compulsory to seal your stamped concrete, it is highly recommended to do so as it comes with many benefits. The addition of a sealer enhances the look of the concrete, brings out the richness of its color, and extends its lifespan. It also prevents the penetration of water into the concrete, helping the concrete to remain strong, especially during winter.
Lastly, ensure that you work with a professional concrete sealing contractor to do the job; it will make your life easier in many ways.
Comments are closed.