Sealing concrete driveways in Australia can be a little daunting if you don’t know the proper way to do it. It pays to be informed and educated about the process because this task can save you time and money. While the help of a concrete expert in the area can be commissioned, sealing driveways can be a DIY project.
Who doesn’t want extra savings, right? When practicality plays an important role nowadays, it’s relieving to know that it can even be applied to sealing concrete driveways. This article shall show different tips to remember should you wish to venture into sealing the driveway yourself. Also, rookie mistakes shall be provided to avoid them altogether.
Get your pen and paper ready as learning different tips and tricks about sealing concrete driveways in Australia. These pieces of information shall effectively guide you upon partaking in the process of sealant application.
Sealant 101
To further intensify your knowledge on the entire sealing process, it is essential to know what sealant does to your driveway. Given the different conditions, your driveway is subjected to, a sealant contributes to its longevity and long-lasting performance. Here’s why:
Importance of sealant application
Harsh weather resistance
Melbourne, for example, is known for its most favorable weather. Because of its location and topography, the city relatively enjoys less harsh weather conditions than others. However, driveways aren’t totally spared from the weather’s effects. Winters can still be cold and summers hot and humid. Therefore, some damages to the driveway may appear inevitably. With the use of a sealant, it shields the driveway from the harmful effects of the weather making it protected to last longer.
Driveway appearance maintenance
Not only does a sealant seal the driveway from harsh weather conditions, but it also protects from grease and oil. The sealant offers a layer of protection that makes oil, grease, and other unwanted stains are conveniently washed off. Think of the driveway as a piece of paper and the sealant as lamination. It pretty much follows that principle.
Moisture protection
Because the driveway is protected through the application of a sealant, even moisture may find it difficult to penetrate it. This is important to know. Be reminded that moisture accumulation can eventually weaken the driveway. In turn, the driveway becomes more prone to cracking. This has to be avoided at all costs to keep up with the driveway’s longevity.
The ideal time for sealant application
A period of 28 days (or even more) after the concrete application is necessary before applying the sealant. This gives the concrete driveway in Australia enough time to settle and completely dry. Also, do remember these reminders:
– Before sealant application, carefully read and understand the instructions. Sealant application is rather an easy process, however, its application procedures may vary. The expected overall results of a specific sealant may not be achieved if specific instructions weren’t followed.
– The weather condition plays a huge role in sealant application. As such, summer is your best bet in doing so. For one, a sealant won’t completely coat and adhere to the concrete if it’s a little moist or damp. This is usually the case before or after rain, whether heavy downpour or just a light shower. Also, it needs dry weather conditions with a temperature of around 40 Celsius and above for about three days to achieve the best results.
Tips in sealant application
Make sure to prepare all the necessary tools needed to apply the sealant.
For the entire process to go smoothly and seamlessly, have all the necessary tools ready. These tools are as follows:
– Asphalt brush
– Paint sprayer
– Chemical stripper
– Shop vacuum
– Paint roller
– Degreaser
– Concrete sealant
These are just some of the tools you need for the application process. You may want to check your house tools if some may already be available. However, if you need to buy all of these, everything’s readily available in any hardware store. You may keep all of these tools for future use. Don’t worry, all these tools won’t significantly break the bank.
Have appropriate concrete preparation
Here are the steps you have to follow to ensure that concrete is completely prepared for the sealant application:
– Make sure that the concrete driveway is free from debris, dirt, and other impurities.
– With the use of a degreaser, remove all stains, oil, and grease on the driveway. You may also need to use other cleansers in this process depending on the kind of stain you have on the concrete driveway.
– To be completely sure, it is highly recommended to have final sweeping and vacuuming of the concrete driveway prior to sealant application.
– After all the washing, the concrete driveway must be completely dry. Wait for 24 hours or more (granted it won’t rain) before proceeding with the next step.
Old sealant removal process
How will you know if the concrete’s already been sealed? Simple. Pour water on the concrete surface. When the water rolls and doesn’t get absorbed by the concrete, it has a sealant. If it immediately gets absorbed, it has no sealant work done yet.
Should you notice that there’s already been some sealing done, make sure to have it completely removed. Removing the old sealant ensures the best possible results coming from the new layer. Have these important reminders in mind when removing the old sealant:
– Only perform sandblasting if you’ve done it before. If not, leave this process out. It may be unsafe. Also, it may damage the concrete when done incorrectly.
– Use a roller to evenly apply the sealant remover.
– Follow the instructions of the sealant remover used. Be mindful of the time it has to set before cleaning.
– Use a scraper to remove the old sealant after application of the sealant remover.
– Thoroughly clean the concrete surface with water and trisodium phosphate. If unsure of this step, either watch online resources or ask your hardware for the instructions.
– Be sure to have the concrete driveway in Australia completely dry. A period of 24 hours is enough for this process.
New sealant application
Follow these simple steps to ensure that you are applying the new sealant the right way:
– Make sure to apply two thin coats of the sealant. Leave the first coating to completely dry for about 2 hours before applying the second coat.
– After application of sealant, the driveway needs to completely dry for about three days. Therefore, the driveway can’t be used during this entire time. It is best to have some barricade or fence around the driveway while it is drying. Doing so serves as a reminder that the driveway is off-limits and can’t be used while the sealant is drying.
Mistakes in applying the sealant on different concrete driveways of Australia
As mentioned, sealant application can be a good Do It Yourself project. The entire process becomes an exciting and adventurous feat especially if you are doing it for the first time. Don’t get intimidated. However, do read up on these tips to avoid making mistakes as you foray into your sealant application project.
Not having enough shield or protection when applying the sealant
It can’t be stressed enough that sealants contain hazardous chemicals. It can cause skin irritations and may potentially be dangerous when it gets to your eyes. Therefore, it is crucial to wear safety gear such as gloves and goggles during the process. It is also recommended to wear a mask or anything that would cover the nose during the application. Sealers may emit dangerous fumes that may put you at risk when exposed to them for an extended period of time.
Not having enough layers or sealant coating
The concrete driveway has to have at least two coats with 2 hours of drying time in between. However, if your driveway is highly utilized because of heavy vehicle and foot traffic, then more coats have to be applied. Sealants only have some life expectancy to them. As such, having more coats of the sealant makes the concrete driveway more protected.
Not choosing the right sealer for the job
Know that some sealers leave a shiny finish while others have matt. Obviously, it is best to use the one with the matt finish for the concrete driveway. Though the thought of having a shiny driveway is enticing and unique at the same time, it’s definitely not a good idea. For starters, it will reflect too much sunlight which will make driving challenging and even dangerous. Well, there are a host of other disadvantages to a shiny driveway.
As such, make sure to read the label. Choose the one that has a matte finish, or perhaps one that has a natural effect when dry. To be entirely sure, you can always ask for assistance from your friendly neighborhood hardware store. They should know better and be able to help you out accordingly. This way, you are sure to have the most appropriate sealant for your concrete driveway in Australia.