Concrete (New Driveway) To Seal or Not To Seal?

I've only ever sealed a patterned concrete pad, never a broom finished one.

No experience, but I would seal after it cures and use sand instead of salt it the winter time.

We had our driveway done last summer and was told not to seal it. In the past winter we actually used Sand instead of sale to help it last longer. Of course you will always get some salt on it because the cars will track it in but less is always better.

ravell wrote: ↑ Having a concrete driveway (1200sqft) poured in a week broom finish. Concrete sealing is included in quote.

I’ve always had an asphalt driveway, so don’t know or have experience with concrete. Looking for lowest maintenance as possible other than blowing clear and power washing.

Pros and Cons of sealing? Your experience? Thanks any insight would be appreciated

Once you seal it, it becomes like a skating rink in the winter. I wish I never got my driveway done. Salt from the cards will drip on it causing cracking and spalling, Both not repairable and ruin the finish.

Sealing it will make it more slippery in wet or icy conditions. It will help though if you ever spill oil or other chemicals on your driveway though.

Also, no issues with using salt on your concrete driveway unless you have a lot of steel reinforcement in it. Salt does not cause cracking and spalling. What can happen is salt scaling with excessive use of deicing salts, but it shouldn't be an issue if your concrete was poured and cured correctly.

In our first home we did a broomed finished concrete driveway and sealed it. We did not have a problem with slippage during the winter because we put sharkgrip in the sealer.

The problem we did have is the reason I would not do it again.

When it was new it looked beautiful and had this pearl reflective finish. One winter later though that pearl look had disappeared from where our tires would track into the driveway and into the garage.

Tires bring in all kinds of road debris/salt during winter and that stuff effectively sanded down the finish of the sealer while the sealer around it looked perfect.

We tried re-sealing the driveway but it just highlighted the problem.........

coffeeguy wrote: ↑ Once you seal it, it becomes like a skating rink in the winter. I wish I never got my driveway done. Salt from the cards will drip on it causing cracking and spalling, Both not repairable and ruin the finish.

If salt dripping from the cards damaged the concrete pad then there is quality issue...

When you seal it, you'll be creating the need for maintenance/resealing down the line. I'd leave it natural with a good broom finish and proper saw cut joints.

If you're concerned about longevity of the concrete, there are many factors that contribute:

-Proper base and subsoil preparation and compaction - including rebar or no rebar depending on the job
-The right concrete mix for the job
-The skill of the finishers
-The type of finish you put on it
-The grade/slope of your finished concrete
-How aggressive you are with the finished product

Personally, I wouldn't seal it. If attention is given to all of the above you will have a long lasting product. Keep in mind that with the nature of our climate, you driveway will almost certainly develop cracks or surface wear due to freeze/thaw and salt. Sealing probably won't mitigate this.

jacquesstrap wrote: ↑ 10 year old driveway here. Never sealed it, never will. It's weathered nicely, has zero cracks. Things to watch for/value when getting a new driveway

-Proper base preparation. Excavating to the appropriate depth, laying sufficient base, compacting the base, and allowing the base to settle before you lay new asphalt

-Quality, fresh asphalt. Not stuff leftover from a previous job. You'll want HL3 or HL3A depending on the look. HL3 will have less fines but should stand to to weathering more.

-Proper compaction of the new asphalt and the right thickness (typical best practice is 3" hot, compacted to 2")

-Proper grading, away from the house and structures, and to ensure sufficient flow and reduce/eliminate standing water

Your response is to asphalt while the OP is asking about concrete.

My only reply is to wait a few months before sealng to cure it properly and let it off gas.... if your willing to baby it the first winter .. I would wait and seal it the next summer.

TLSRULZ wrote: ↑ Your response is to asphalt while the OP is asking about concrete.

My only reply is to wait a few months before sealng to cure it properly and let it off gas.... if your willing to baby it the first winter .. I would wait and seal it the next summer.

Oh goodness - you're right! My apologies, definitely replied during a meeting and must have read ashpalt.

Much of the same applies for concrete however in terms of proper base preparation for a good lasting job, along with the quality and strength of the concrete, and proper finishing. Much more if an art than ashpalt.

With regards to sealing of concrete I don't have experience with it, but personally I wouldn't do it unless you want the cosmetic look. Even then, it means more maintenance/resealing.

Did you use a penetrating sealer? @neilboy

nielboy wrote: ↑ In our first home we did a broomed finished concrete driveway and sealed it. We did not have a problem with slippage during the winter because we put sharkgrip in the sealer.

The problem we did have is the reason I would not do it again.

When it was new it looked beautiful and had this pearl reflective finish. One winter later though that pearl look had disappeared from where our tires would track into the driveway and into the garage.

Tires bring in all kinds of road debris/salt during winter and that stuff effectively sanded down the finish of the sealer while the sealer around it looked perfect.

We tried re-sealing the driveway but it just highlighted the problem.........

Finished Concrete Front Door Steps, Sidewalk to the back and patio in plain broom finish. Around 800 Sq. Ft The contractor recommended sealing to avoid soil and oil stains and salt damage or make sure we use Blue Salt.

To seal, I am getting quotes between $800-$1200 for different brand names including Seal King, Natraseal, Kimbol. I am looking for a semi-gloss look. Is there any website or place where all these sealant comparisons are available? or a brand that you would recommend? I asked a contractor who quoted the job and he said Natraseal is way better than Seal King.