Why Do You Need to Seal Your Driveway After Pressure Washing
Maintaining the appearance and long life of your driveway can be daunting, especially with the constant exposure to vehicle traffic, elements, and potential staining from oil and grease. There is one effective method to keep your driveway in pristine condition, which is pressure washing and sealing. This combination enhances the look of your driveway and extends its lifespan. Let’s delve into why you need to seal your driveway after pressure washing and learn everything related to this topic in the blog.
Should Driveways Be Sealed After Pressure Washing?
Absolutely YES! Pressure washing, also known as power washing, is an excellent cleaning method to remove dirt, grime, stains etc from your driveway. In addition to driveways, pressure washing is commonly used for cleaning various surfaces such as home exteriors, decks and patios, fences, roofs, sidewalks and walkways, garage floors, pool decks, and more.
While pressure washing cleans these surfaces, it also opens up the pores of the concrete, making it more susceptible to new stains and damage. Sealing your driveway immediately after pressure washing protects it from these vulnerabilities, ensuring it remains in pristine condition.
The Significance of Pressure Washing
Pressure washing or power washing is a highly effective cleaning technique for cleaning driveways and other surfaces. A pressure washer uses high-pressure water to blast away mold, mildew, dirt, and grime from surfaces. Regarding a concrete driveway, the pressure washing technique can remove years of accumulated stains, revealing a neat and clean surface that looks almost new.
However, pressure washing strips away any existing sealant, exposing the concrete surface to the elements. This is why it is a must do to seal your driveway after pressure washing is done. Without sealing, the clean concrete surface is prone to damage from water, oil, and other contaminants.
Benefits of Sealing Your Driveway
Now that we have discussed why pressure washing is important for concert surfaces let’s talk about some of the benefits of sealing your driveway. Let’s go deep into this!
Improved Appearance
A newly sealed driveway looks clean and polished, without a doubt. Sealing enhances the texture and also the color of the concrete surface in your home or commercial property, giving it a fresh and attractive appearance. This can also improve your home’s curb appeal.
Protection from Stains (Oil, Grease, etc)
The second benefit of selling your driveway is the protection from stains. A sealed driveway is less likely to absorb grease and oil stains. Sealing creates a perfect barrier that prevents these substances from penetrating the concrete, making them easier to clean. Without a sealant, oil stains can seep deep into the concrete, becoming almost impossible to remove.
Increased Durability
Sealing your driveway right after pressure washing increases its durability. It protects the concrete surface from the harshness of weather, like freeze-thaw cycles, which cause cracks and spalling. A sealed driveway is also less likely to be damaged by UV rays, which cause fading and deterioration as time passes.
How Often Should I Reseal Driveways?
The frequency of resealing your home’s driveway depends on several factors, like the type of sealer used, the local climate of the area, and the amount of traffic your driveway receives. Generally, driveways should be resealed every 2 to 3 years. Learn more on this topic by calling professional pressure washer companies, as they can best guide you and give practical solutions.
Types of Sealers For Concrete Driveways
There are many types of sealers available for driveways, and each pressure washing company may recommend and use different types. Here, we will discuss the general categories of sealers commonly used. It’s always important to consult with professionals to determine the best option for your needs. If you have any questions or need advice, you can get in touch with Chris’s Pressure Washing to learn more about whether driveways should be sealed after pressure washing.
Let’s now talk about the types of sealers. The most common ones include:
Penetrating Sealers
Penetrating sealers soak deep into concrete surfaces, providing protection from within. They are perfect for repelling water and preventing damage from freeze-thaw cycles. Penetrating sealers do not change the appearance of your concrete, which makes them a good choice for those who prefer a natural look for their property.
Acrylic Sealers
Acrylic sealers are another common type of sealer. They form a protective film on the surface of the concrete. They improve the color and texture of your driveway, providing a glossy finish. Acrylic sealers are a great option for protecting against oil stains and other contaminants.
Epoxy & Polyurethane Sealers
These sealers offer superior protection and durability for your driveway. They are often used in high-traffic areas and provide a long-lasting barrier against stains. However, they can be more expensive and may require professional application. So, if you want epoxy and polyurethane sealers, make sure you hire professionals to apply them to your concrete driveway or any other concrete surfaces in your home.
Other Concrete Surfaces
The benefits of sealing are not limited to residential driveways or commercial properties. Other concrete surfaces, such as garage floors, patios, and walkways, can also benefit from pressure washing and sealing. These surfaces are equally exposed to the elements and suffer from similar problems if not properly maintained.
Maintenance Tips for a Sealed Driveway
To guarantee the long life of your sealed driveway, you should keep in mind the following maintenance tips:
Regular Cleaning
Keep the driveway of your home or commercial property clean by regularly sweeping away debris and washing off dirt. This will prevent stains from penetrating the sealer.
Reapply Sealer as Needed
As time goes by the sealer may wear off, especially in high-traffic areas. To deal with this you should reapply the sealer every few years to maintain its benefits and to keep the concrete driveway looking new.
Address Stains Immediately
If you see stains of oil or grease on the concrete, clean them up immediately to prevent them from penetrating the sealer and staining the concrete.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals
When cleaning the driveway, avoid using harsh chemicals that can damage the sealer. Instead, use mild detergents and water for routine concrete cleaning.
Wrapping Up
Many homeowners wonder if driveways should be sealed after pressure washing. The answer is a resounding yes! Driveway sealing is crucial after your driveway has been pressure washed to protect it from stains. After cleaning the surface with a concrete cleaner, it’s important to apply a concrete sealer to maintain its appearance as well as durability. Contact a professional pressure wash company for the best cleaning of your concrete surfaces to guarantee the job is done correctly.
Chris’s Pressure Washing: Your Total Exterior Cleaning Experts
Call Chris’s Pressure Washing today for all your pressure washing needs, both inside and outside your property. We serve both homes and businesses with our expert services. Our specialties include power washing, leaf removal, gutter cleaning, low-pressure house cleaning, roof cleaning, and window cleaning.
We can also remove rust, stains, and graffiti and provide professional cleaning for concrete decks, fences, and driveways. On top of that , we pressure wash various surfaces, including driveways, sidewalks and walkways, home exteriors, decks, patios, fences, roofs, garage floors, pool decks, parking lots, building exteriors and more. Call us today for the best pressure washing services and more!
