Concrete driveway sealers are an affordable solution to maintaining the structural integrity of your concrete, and protecting it against deterioration caused by surface abrasion and water absorption. The best driveway sealer for your concrete driveway will depend on the current condition of your concrete driveway and your reason for sealing.
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Silicate Sealers
Silicate sealers (sodium silicate sealers and lithium silicate sealers) chemically react below the surface to form calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) within the pores. The CSH structure is designed to reduce the density and increase the strength of the concrete surface. Silicate sealers won’t change the look or color of the concrete, and they won’t leave behind a visible surface film. Silicate sealers are great sealers to use if you are currently having the following issues:
- Concrete dusting caused by surface abrasion
- Concrete dusting caused by weak concrete
- Deterioration caused by poor concrete mixture
- Deterioration caused by age
Suggested Products: Armor S2000 concrete sealer, Armor L3000 concrete sealer
Water Repellent Sealers
Water repellent sealers (Silane Siloxane and Siliconate sealers) chemically react below the surface to form a hydrophobic barrier within the pores that caused water and other liquids to bead off the surface. Water repellent sealers reduce surface water absorption by up to 95%. Water repellent sealers won’t change the look or color of the concrete, and they won’t leave behind a visible surface film. Water repellent sealers are great sealers to use if you are currently having the following issues:
- Staining caused by the absorption of rain or irrigation water
- Deterioration caused by water absorption
- Cracking and spalling caused by freeze-thaw cycles
- Mold and mildew growth
- Efflorescence
Suggested products: Armor SX5000 concrete sealer, Armor SX5000 WB concrete sealer, Armor SC25 concrete sealer
Acrylic Sealer
Acrylic concrete sealers chemically bond to the surface of the concrete and leave behind a hardened, protective surface coating. They enhance the concrete driveway and provide total protection against staining and deterioration. Acrylic sealers will enhance concrete with a wet look, clear low gloss, clear high gloss, or colored gloss finish. Acrylic sealers are great sealers to use if you are currently having the following issues:
- Dull or faded concrete
- Old or boring concrete
- Staining caused by hot tire pickup
- Staining caused by leaking vehicles
- Staining caused by the absorption of rain or irrigation water
- Deterioration caused by water absrotpion
- Cracking and spalling caused by freeze-thaw cycles
- Mold and mildew growth
- Efflorescence
Suggested Products: Armor AR350 wet look sealer, Armor AR500 high gloss sealer
Best Concrete Driveway Sealers
As mentioned above, the best sealer for your driveway will depend on your reason for sealing. If you still aren’t sure then go with a water repellent sealer. Water repellent sealers are top rated sealers for concrete as they help to reduce deterioration caused by water absorption, the growth of mold and mildew, staining, and the formation of efflorescence. They are a great preventative sealer.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use more than one sealer? If you are having issues with deterioration or dusting, but also issues with water absorption, you can use a combination of sealers. It is very common to first apply a silicate sealer to increase the strength of the concrete, and then a water repellent sealer 5-7 days later to reduce deterioration caused by water.
Can I use a sealer under a coating? If you are applying an acrylic sealer, you usually just apply the acrylic sealer unless otherwise suggested by a product technician. You can apply a penetrating sealer first but you want to make sure that the sealer won’t cause any issues with adhesion for the acrylic sealer.
Resealing a Concrete Driveway
If your driveway is currently sealed, or was previously sealed, you want to make sure that the new product is able to penetrate or bond.
If the driveway was previously sealed but the old sealer appears to be removed and the concrete can absorb water without issue, you should be able to apply any type of sealer to the concrete.
If the driveway was previously sealed you can still see the sealer you want to choose something compatible:
- If the driveway was previously sealed with a water based acrylic sealer you want then to reseal with a water based acrylic sealer.
- If the driveway was previously sealed with a solvent based acrylic sealer then you want to reseal with a solvent based acrylic sealer.
- If the driveway was previously sealed with a silicate based sealer then you can reseal with a water repellent sealer or an acrylic sealer.
- If the driveway was previously sealed with a water repellent sealer then you can reseal with a water repellent sealer or a solvent based acrylic sealer. If you are considering rec-oating with a water repellent sealer you need to make sure that the repellency benefits have faded. If the concrete still repels water and you apply a water based water repellent, the old sealer will repel the new sealer. If you are unsure, it is best to contact a technician.
