Is Stamped Concrete Driveway Slippery? (Most Effective Solution!)
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Is Stamped Concrete Driveway Slippery?
Stamped concrete driveway is more slippery than other concrete driveway finishes such as exposed aggregate or broomed. Topical sealers only add to the slipperiness of a stamped concrete driveway.
A stamped concrete driveway ranks among the most exquisite and classy finishes that you can give to your driveway. There is a very large range of stamped concrete patterns and colors to choose from. So your driveway can be absolutely unique and stunning!
Your stamped driveway could recreate the looks of a wet cobblestone street from London or a sun drenched piazza from Florence. The look of natural stones, such as granite or slate, is another design possibility.
A stamped concrete driveway has texture, but the texture does not offer much of a traction to car tires or shoe soles. The texture created by the stamping process is quite smooth.
The smooth, flowing texture of stamped concrete can not provide a grip, the way the sharp, jagged profile of an exposed aggregate or broomed concrete can.
Stamped concrete must be resealed frequently, both to protect and enhance the gloss and color. A topical sealer makes a concrete surface smooth and slippery.
To be fair, whatever the finish, a concrete driveway must be sealed and then resealed regularly to protect it from moisture and water penetration. It is just that a high gloss topical sealer is even more important for stamped concrete.
Topical sealers add luster to stamped concrete and enhance the colors. But topical sealers also reduce skid resistance of stamped concrete.
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The Best Sealers for Your Concrete Driveway or Patio
A topical sealer is essential for protecting concrete surfaces from water permeation that can damage the concrete from within and compromise its lifespan.
I highly recommend Foundation Armor Concrete Sealers. Pick the one that best meets your aesthetic and application preference.
Is Stamped Concrete Slippery When Wet?
A stamped concrete driveway gets even more slippery when wet due to a phenomenon called hydroplaning. Hydroplaning reduces a driver’s ability to steer and brake. The car loses traction because of the thin water film between the tire and the driveway.
Hydroplaning is like being on a jet ski, except that you are in a car on a road, not a jet ski on a lake!
Hydroplaning is caused by a combination of surface type, amount of water on the surface, tire design, car speed and weight. A stamped concrete driveway has patterns that can trap rainwater to form mini puddles.
Is Stamped Concrete Slippery in Winter?
Winter only adds to the slipperiness of a stamped concrete driveway. The driveway gets wet from rain and snow. The water film sitting in the valleys of the stamped concrete pattern can easily freeze into a thin layer of ice.
Ice on the driveway can never be good for driving or walking!
Removing snow from a stamped concrete driveway is also more difficult than removing it from an even concrete driveway. Some snow will alway get left behind, trapped in the texture.
How Do I Make My Concrete Driveway Less Slippery?
Love the stamped concrete looks? Wish it was not so slippery though? Fortunately there is a solution. Use a Non-Slip Concrete Sealer Additive.
The non-slip additive is powdered aluminum oxide that is mixed into the sealer for the second coat application. There are several popular brands such as SureCrete’s SureGrip, H&C SharkGrip or Matcrete’s Rhino Grip.
NOTE: A non-slip additive will make the stamped concrete less slippery. But it will not make it slip-free, especially when the surface is wet.
Some other options that can help make your stamped concrete driveway less slippery are:
Use a Penetrating Sealer for a Natural Look
The primary purpose of sealing a stamped concrete, or any concrete driveway is to protect it from water penetration. When a concrete slab is not sealed water will penetrate, corrode & degrade the concrete from within.
A penetrating sealer offers the protection from water penetration without forming any sealer film on the driveway surface. Your stamped concrete driveway will be less slippery and yet be protected.
Of course you have to settle for a matt natural look. A matt natural look may even be desirable, depending on the pattern. Think slate tile or weathered boardwalk imitation pattern!
Go for Deeper Texture
Choosing a stamped concrete pattern with deep valleys and tall ridges would offer more traction. The size and height of the texture does affect the traction of stamped concrete.
Thank you very much for reading this post. I do hope you found it informative and helpful.
