Sealing Your Cement Driveway
The period of curing essentially provides the concrete time to absorb moisture and heat which helps the concrete gain strength and last longer.
Sealing your cement driveway. It needs to cure for at least a month and preferably 2 months before you get down to the business of sealing a concrete driveway. Sealer needs to be applied in dry conditions because it won t adhere to damp concrete. The temperature also needs to stay above 50 f during application and drying time up to three days. Asphalt cement is the binder or glue that holds.
The next step is to clean the driveway using a broom to remove loose debris such as dirt mud and leaves. Remember driveway sealing is merely applying a protective sealant to either your concrete or asphalt or driveway. Sealing a driveway not only extends it service life it will also improve the appearance of decorative concrete by enhancing the color and gloss. First you need to know that it can be disastrous if it rains before your driveway sealer dries.
If necessary use soap or degreaser to thoroughly clean the slab. If your concrete is new you ll need to let it cure wait at least one month before applying sealer. Much of the work involved in sealing concrete driveways is preparation both for the concrete area and you. You can not seal a newly constructed driveway.
Applying sealer to a driveway is not difficult and in most cases a standard residential driveway can be sealed in less than a day. When you have stains on your concrete driveway it s typically best to treat them with the appropriate products before you apply the sealer. It is therefore crucial to consider sealing your driveway during the summer season when you least expect to see the rain. Driveway sealing professionals recommend you apply sealant every one to three years.
The asphalt cement used at the plant that makes blacktop for the city roadways was undoubtedly the same used to make residential driveways. This is a tough penetrating sealer made from a water based solution containing siloxanes and silanes which create a protective layer for your masonry shed or driveway. Before applying check the weather. Before sealing concrete make sure the surface is clean and dry.
For best results work on stains while they re fresh. Finally sealer helps keep your concrete or asphalt driveway strong despite the heavy weight of vehicles driving on it day in and out. After the concrete for your driveway is installed you have to wait for it to cure before applying a sealer. Let the driveway cure for 21 to 30 days before applying a penetrating sealer.
The frequency depends on how extreme the weather is in your area and the level of protection you need due to use.