7 Secret Benefits of Siloxane Concrete Sealer for Driveways! -

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What is a Siloxane Concrete Sealer?

A Siloxane Concrete Sealer is applied to concrete surfaces such as driveways, basements, garage floors, etc. to protect them from damaging effects of moisture, UV rays, chemicals, and stains. A Siloxane Concrete Sealer works by penetrating deep into the concrete pores and forming a hydrophobic barrier.

A Siloxane Concrete Sealer is highly effective in preventing damage to concrete driveways, extending their lifespan and maintaining their appearance. By blocking moisture penetration, siloxane concrete sealers help reduce crack propagation, spalling, and other forms of concrete deterioration caused by water infiltration.

In essence, a siloxane concrete sealer acts as a shield for your driveway, keeping it looking pristine and structurally sound for years to come. Applying a siloxane concrete sealer, after the curing has completed, is a proactive step towards protecting your investment and ensuring the longevity of your concrete driveway.

Key Takeaways – Benefits

Prevents Moisture Infiltration
Prevents Freeze-Thaw Damage

Protects Rebars and Wire Mesh from Corrosion.
Resists Chemicals and Stains
Maintains Natural Concrete Look

Overcoating with Sealers or Coatings Possible
Easy to Apply, DIY Friendly

7 Secret Benefits of a Siloxane Concrete Sealer

It is not unusual for homeowners to skip the application of a Siloxane Concrete Sealer once their concrete driveway has cured. I understand the reason.

A Siloxane Concrete Sealer is a penetrating sealer and does not form a film. It seems as if it has just been absorbed in the concrete with no apparent benefit. In fact, there are 5 secret benefits of applying a Siloxane Concrete Sealer on your new driveway!

1. Water Repellency from Within: Prevents Moisture Penetration

Siloxane concrete sealers penetrate into the surface of concrete driveways and block the pores through a chemical reaction. This barrier prevents moisture from penetrating the concrete.

Believe it or not, water penetration is the most crucial threat to the durability and longevity of a concrete slab such as a driveway or basement floor. Water penetration is responsible concrete defects such as crack propagation, efflorescence, spalling, and scaling.

By keeping water out, siloxane sealers help maintain the structural integrity of the driveway, prolonging its lifespan.

2. Prevents Freeze-Thaw Damage

In very cold climates, freeze-thaw damage is an important consideration for maintaining structural integrity of concrete driveways. When water seeps into concrete and freezes, it expands, causing pressure that can lead to cracks and other forms of deterioration.

The water repellency from within, provided by siloxane sealers, helps protect against freeze-thaw damage as well.

3. Prevents Corrosion of Rebars or Wire Mesh

A residential concrete driveway is usually 6″ thick and needs steel rebars as reinforcement. At the very least it will have steel wire mesh reinforcement. Without reinforcement, the driveway will crumble as concrete has very high compressive strength but very poor tensional strength.

A Siloxane Concrete Sealer prevents moisture infiltration, which helps prevent corrosion of the rebars or wire mesh embedded within the concrete. Corrosion of these reinforcements can compromise the structural integrity of the driveway, leading to cracks, spalling, and other forms of damage over time.

4. Helps Increase Chemical & Stain Resistance

To be fair, it is the Topical Sealer that plays the major role in making your concrete driveway chemical & stain resistant. However, the siloxane based penetrating sealer has an important support role too.

In spite of your best efforts a concrete driveway, or for that matter any concrete slab will have cracks. The cracks appear as hairline cracks right from the beginning and are likely to grow with time. Topical sealers tend to crack as well when the crack in the concrete grows.

In other words, any chemical or organic matter spillage will find its way into the concrete pores through these cracks. Once that happens it is extremely difficult to get rid of the concrete driveway stains.

This where the siloxane concrete sealer plays its important support role. The stain can not permeate deep into the concrete as the pores have already been blocked by the siloxane based penetrating sealer.

There is another important fact to keep in mind. Topical sealers have a life of 3-5 years at best. In reality you may need to apply it every year as it can get abraded by traffic and extreme weather.

On the other hand a siloxane concrete sealer lasts for 5-10 years. So it is there to protect your driveway, even when the topical sealer has all but disappeared.

5. Preserves the Natural Concrete Look

A Siloxane Concrete Sealer does not leave its mark on your driveway as it gets completely absorbed. This is an advantage if you like the natural look of concrete. Concrete does have an appealing industrial look and feel and complements contemporary and modern home design.

By maintaining the original concrete look, siloxane sealers ensure that the driveway blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape and architectural features of the property.

6. Can be Overcoated with a Topical Sealer, Paint, or Coating

No worries, if you do not like the look of concrete and prefer to coat your driveway. A siloxane concrete sealer is fully compatible with all types of topical sealers, paints, or coatings. This is possible because the siloxane concrete sealer does not form a film on top of the concrete surface.

So go ahead and indulge yourself! Whether it’s a wet look topical sealer for added gloss, paint for color enhancement, or a decorative coating for a customized look, siloxane sealers serve as an excellent base layer.

7. Easy to Apply, DIY Friendly

Siloxane sealers are remarkably easy to apply, making them an ideal choice for DIY enthusiasts and homeowners. You can apply it using any of the three common methods; brushing, rolling, or spraying.

This DIY-friendly aspect of siloxane sealers saves both time and money, making them cost effective.

Best Penetrating Concrete Driveway Sealer

The best penetrating concrete sealer for a driveway is a Silane-Siloxane concrete sealer.
Foundation Armor

RECOMMENDED PRODUCT

The Best Penetrating Concrete Sealer

The best penetrating concrete sealer is Foundation Armor SX5000 Water Based Silane Siloxane Penetrating Concrete Sealer. It is approved by the DOT as a water repellent sealer and can provide up to 10 years of performance.