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Concrete is a durable, paving material that can serve you for a long time. Thus your driveway, sidewalks, or patio can retain its attractive look when you apply concrete sealers.

Sealers protect the surface by forming a layer on top of concrete or penetrate the surface. Chemicals, precipitation and changing temperatures are some of the factors that contribute to the deterioration of the concrete surfaces.

Bridge concrete sealing done in Echuca with concrete sealers

Common Concrete Problems

Concrete offers several benefits to many residential and commercial projects. This paving material gives your driveways, parking lots, roads, patios, and walkways a great look and is durable.

On the other hand, certain weather conditions, and improper maintenance methods can contribute to concrete problems that affect its durability and aesthetic value.

The following are some of the standard concrete problems you are likely to encounter.

Cracking

It’s one of the significant issues with concrete surfaces. You will observe cracks outside the control joints as the concrete surface shrinks as it cures. Concrete is structurally sound paving material, and this problem can be solved by applying a penetrating concrete sealer, caulk, or filler to minimize freeze and thaw damages caused by water penetration.

Discolouration

There are various causes of concrete discolouration. They include material exposure to UV rays, changing weather conditions, and curing duration. You can use concrete cleaner to give the surface a better look, a concrete stain that comes in different colours or concrete sealers.

Spalling and Scaling

This occurs when the surface begins to chip away or flake due to poor concrete finishing, water seepage, lack of curing that lead to weak surface and freeze-thaw process. Scaling or scaling starts in one area and expands to another if left untreated. You can prevent this problem by sealing the surface based on the contractor’s recommendations or use a trowel grade light coat to fix the scaled place and then seal it afterwards.

Crazing

This is a web of fine cracks on the top of the concrete surface. Crazing is not a significant problem, although it affects the appearance of the surface but not the structure of the driveway, patios, or walkways. It occurs due to poor concrete finishing and early surface drying after installation. You can contact Echuca Paving Services when you notice crazing. The contractor will recommend the appropriate solution to this network of fine cracks that ruins the beautiful look of the concrete surface.

Types of Concrete Sealers

There are three types of concrete sealers that you can use to protect your concrete driveway, patio, or edges.

Integral Sealers

These compounds are mixed with concrete in the factory before the mixture is released to the client. One advantage of these sealers is that they save you the 28-day waiting period. More so, you need a contractor when applying this type of sealer. The chemical compound will enhance the aesthetic value of concrete surfaces.

Topical Sealers

These compounds stick to the surface of the concrete and form a protective layer at the top. They are mostly used on indoor concrete surfaces due to their different designs choices. Some of the problems with this option are that they form a thick layer that can be slippery, mainly when applied on the driveway, sidewalks or patio. Further, the layer doesn’t allow the concrete to breathe out moisture; thus, a white haze will form between the sealer layer and the concrete.

Penetrating Sealers

These are sealers that penetrate the concrete and forms a chemical barrier that blocks the moisture from infiltrating the surface since concrete is porous. They are made of specialty resins such as siloxanes, silicones, and silanes. They block oil and other contaminants in addition to water.

Benefits Using Concrete Sealers

You may choose to apply sealers on the concrete slab of your sidewalks, pool deck, patio, or driveway every year or periodically. However, concrete will perform quite well even if you never sealed it at all. However, applying sealer now and then will give you additional benefits that you may not have with an unsealed concrete. The following are some of the potential benefits of sealing concrete surfaces regularly.

Driveway paver sealing job we completed in Echuca

Enhances Durability

Concrete surfaces are exposed to different elements, temperatures, and sometimes heavy objects, particularly on the driveways and walkways. Therefore, these conditions cause the concrete to crack or scale. On the other hand, sealing concrete surfaces prevent damages and boost its durability. Therefore, use sealers to make concrete surfaces look great and last longer.

Inhibits Mold

Concrete absorbs moisture, and moulds begin forming when the surface is exposed to water for a prolonged time. Therefore, you will begin to see a green discolouration on the surface when the moisture doesn’t dry. However, sealers prevent this problem, for it forms a protective layer or barrier that blocks moisture from penetrating the surface.

Extends Concrete Lifespan

Concrete driveways are expected to last for 25-30 years. However, you will need to replace these services earlier than planned when they begin to crack or discolour. Applying sealers can improve its longevity and support these services up to 25-30 years.

Enhances Color

Concrete surfaces tend to discolour when exposed to grease, water, or other elements, thus giving the surface an old look. However, applying integral and topical sealers preserves the colour of these surfaces. Therefore, your driveways will always look sharp and clean for the time you will be using it.

Protects the Surface

UV rays, oil spills, and other stains can damage your concrete surface; thus, sealers protect the surface from such elements and blocks moisture penetration that causes freezing and thawing

Bottom line

Several paving issues can wreak havoc on the durability and look of your driveway, patios, and walkway, among others.

However, there are different sealers that you can apply on the surface to prevent cracking, discolouration, and crazing.

These sealers will boost the appearance of the concrete surface, extend its lifespan, inhibits moulds and mildews.

Therefore contact Echuca Paving Services when you want to install a concrete driveway, patio, or walkway. You can also call them if you are facing any of these issues, and you would want them to be handled by a professional. We will be happy to work with you. Contact us 0491 728 231 or email us at [email protected].

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