Concrete Sealing

Concrete sealing is important for protecting your stamped concrete from winter and to keep the colors rich. Some concrete does not need to be sealed if it has not been stamped. If your concrete is stamped, regular sealant application is required.

You can buy concrete sealant at any hardware store, but I recommend getting it from Unicon Concrete Specialties. The reason I recommend this place is because of their friendly service, high-quality product and because you can grab smaller amounts unlike most places.

First consider the weather outside that day. If it is too hot it can cause it to turn milky. If it is too cold it will peal (you should not apply sealant below 7 degrees Celsius without a special mixture). Next, make sure it is not windy out or dust and grass might stick to your freshly sealed curb.

Now prepare your curbing by cutting your grass short near the curbing and raking any mulch, dirt or rocks away from it. Then blow away any grass that might get carried onto the curb.

Finally, you have to make sure to clean the surface of the concrete. Cleaning it with a pressure washer or brush and water will insure that dirt will not be permanently stuck under the sealant. Next, make sure that your concrete is dry on and around it or this might make your sealant turn out with a milky tint. Now you're ready to seal!

Using a paint tray, get a paint roller or a paint brush and apply the sealant generously, but not to the point that it puddles too much. Brushing sealant on rather then spraying is better because it fills the pours of the concrete more, protecting it longer! Be sure to get between the joints as best as you can. One application is enough per year.

After the job is finished, you will want to reseal your concrete 2 weeks to a month after, then again the next year and then every two to three years following that once the color starts to fade. At the same time, adding too much sealant can leave concrete with a white film over it, but this is usually fixable. 

There is three kinds of sealant that we recommend using for your curbing. The first two options are high-gloss and low-gloss. The difference between the two is that high gloss will come out more shinny then low-gloss. The reason you might pick a low-gloss is because you want a more natural look. Or maybe you decide you want a very slick look on your concrete curbing, so in that case you might buy the high-gloss. 

The third option is a super smooth sealant which is used when you want to add richer colors to your curb and want it to look more smooth!

This happens all the time. Unfortunately concrete cracks randomly and there is nothing we can do about it. Between the cold temperatures and the weather changing unexpectedly, this causes cracks in all concrete. Sealing helps prevent damage, which is why it is important to stay on top of it. Avoid using salt on your concrete as it is very damaging for it. It is also not a good idea to drive heavy vehicles on your decorative concrete because it is not made for that. 

If you have a chip in your concrete and need to repair it, let us know and we will try to help you as soon as our regular work slows down. Cracks generally can't be fixed.