5 Important Reasons for Sealing Concrete Driveway After Pressure Washing

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Should You Seal Concrete After Pressure Wash?

Sealing concrete driveway after pressure washing is important to protect the concrete from the elements and prevent stains.

Concrete is porous and readily absorbs water, dirt, and other contaminants. When pressure washed, the concrete surface gets cleaned but some, if not all, of the existing sealer gets abraded too.

Essentially this leaves the concrete surface quite naked as the pores in the concrete are now open. There are 5 important reasons for sealing concrete driveway after pressure washing as under:

Reason	Explanation
1. Protects from water penetration	Concrete is porous and can absorb water. When water penetrates the concrete, it damages it from within and weakens it. Cracks can grow and the driveway can crumble under stress. Sealing creates a barrier and prevents water penetration.
2. Prevents stains	The barrier created by sealing the concrete also prevents oil, grease, gasoline, rust, pet urine, etc. from penetrating and become hard to remove stains.
3. Easier to clean	A sealed driveway is easier to clean as dirt, dust, etc. remain on the surface and can easily be swept or hosed away.
4. Extends lifespan	Sealing the concrete driveway helps to extend its lifespan by protecting it from the elements, abrasion and stains.
5. Enhances aesthetics	A sealed driveway has a more polished and attractive appearance. Some sealers can even add a color or wet look to the concrete.

The concrete becomes extremely vulnerable to water penetration, staining from oil, gasoline, pet urine, and other substances.

Water penetration into the concrete is highly damaging. The effects get magnified if the water, as is often the case, is also contaminated with chemicals.

Surface stains, such as those on sealed concrete are relatively easy to remove. However, when stains penetrate into the concrete pores they are extremely difficult to remove. 

All this results in a reduction in the lifespan of your concrete driveway, reduction in its structural strength and a reduction in the value of your home. 

Sealing concrete driveway after pressure washing creates a barrier that blocks the ingress of water and other contaminants into the concrete. 

Sealing concrete driveway after pressure washing is the key to extending its lifespan and preventing stains that are difficult to remove. However, it is best to use a pressure washer surface cleaner attachment.

RECOMMENDED PRODUCT

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The Best Pressure Washer Surface Cleaner for Your Driveway & Patio

The pressure washer surface cleaner is an attachment for pressure washers that let you clean concrete driveways, patios, etc. without having to worry about abrading or gouging the concrete surface.

Here is the Pressure Washer Surface Cleaner I recommend.

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Pros and Cons of Sealing Concrete Driveway After Pressure Washing

There are pros and cons of sealing your concrete driveway after pressure washing:

Pros:

• Protects: Sealing your driveway will help protect it from water, snow, ice, and other harsh weather conditions. This can help to prevent cracking, fading, and staining.
• Prevents stains: Concrete is porous and can absorb stains from oil, gasoline, pet urine, and other substances. Sealing your driveway will create a barrier that helps to prevent these stains from penetrating the concrete.
• Makes it easier to clean: A sealed driveway is easier to clean than an unsealed driveway. Dirt, dust, and leaves will not be able to penetrate the surface, making it easier to hose down or power wash.
• Extends lifespan: Sealing your driveway can help to extend its lifespan by protecting it from the elements and stains.
• Enhances aesthetics: A sealed driveway has a more polished and attractive appearance. Some sealers can even add a color or wet look to the concrete.

Cons:

• Is expensive: Sealing your driveway can be a bit expensive, but it is a one-time cost that will save you money in the long run by preventing damage to your driveway.
• Resealing is necessary: Topical sealers, especially on concrete driveways do not last forever. You may need to reseal after every pressure wash. At the very least topical sealers should be applied once a year, preferably in late fall to protect your concrete driveway from snow and ice. 

My Recommendation:

In spite of a couple of cons, it is essential to seal your concrete driveway after pressure washing.

Actually you can check the effectiveness of the old sealer after a pressure wash quite easily.

Once the concrete surface is dry, sprinkle a few drops of water on it. If the water beads up and does not get absorbed, the existing sealer is good to go.

However, if the water drops flatten out and get absorbed in the concrete, the existing sealer is no longer effective. Time for a fresh coat of sealer.

The benefits of sealing far outweigh the cons. A sealed driveway will look better, last longer, and be easier to maintain.

Pros	Cons
Protection	Is Expensive
Prevents Stains
Easy Cleaning	Resealing is Necessary
Extends Lifespan

How Long After Pressure Wash Can I Seal Concrete?

You should wait 24-48 hours after pressure washing your concrete before sealing it. This will give the concrete time to dry completely and allow the sealant to adhere properly. 

If you seal the concrete too soon, the topical sealer will not have good adhesion to the concrete surface. The sealer may peel or flake off later.

Peeling or flaking sealant can be unsightly and can reduce the value of your home. The areas where the sealer has flaked off will be rough and will collect dirt and promote mold growth.

Peeling or flaking sealer can also be a safety hazard, as it can create tripping hazards or make it difficult to walk on your driveway.

Peeling sealer is not just unsightly, it also fails to protect the concrete driveway from penetration of rainwater and will damage it. 

It is not advisable to simply apply some more sealer over the peeled area. This new sealer application will also not have adhesion.

The correct process to repair flaking sealer is to remove it completely by using a rough sandpaper or a stiff wire brush. Ensure that the remaining sealer is intact and has good adhesion.

Wipe off any dust on the concrete surface with a wet rag or wash it away with a garden hose. Please wait for 24-48 hours to ensure the driveway is completely dry before resealing.

It is important to wait 24-48 hours after pressure washing your concrete driveway before sealing it. This will give the concrete time to dry completely and allow the sealant to properly adhere.

What Do You Use for Sealing Concrete Driveway After Pressure Washing?

There are 5 types of concrete driveway sealers. However, the most often used for sealing concrete driveway after pressure washing is the Topical Acrylic Driveway Sealer.

1. Topical Acrylic Driveway Sealer

Topical Acrylic Driveway Sealers are a popular choice for both residential driveways and decorative concrete surfaces. These sealers work by forming a protective film on the surface of the concrete. 

Topical acrylic sealers form a barrier, preventing water penetration and shielding against harmful UV rays. Acrylic sealers are typically applied as a liquid and dry to form a clear or colored film coating. 

Acrylic sealers, in addition to protection, also enhance the appearance of the concrete by adding a glossy or satin finish.

2. Penetrating Driveway Sealer

Penetrating driveway sealers work differently from topical sealers. Instead of forming a visible film, they penetrate the concrete and chemically react with it. 

Penetrating sealers form compounds that fill the pores of the concrete, creating a protective barrier from within. They are particularly suitable for driveways exposed to freeze-thaw cycles and heavy traffic. 

Penetrating sealers protect the concrete from water penetration, salt, and deicing chemicals while maintaining the natural look of the concrete.

Penetrating concrete driveway sealers must certainly be used on new driveways but after the concrete has cured completely (typically 28 days). I recommend resealing with a penetrating sealer every 5-7 years.

Thank you very much for reading this post. I do hope you found it informative and helpful.