The Benefits of Professional Concrete Sealing in Austin, TX

The Benefits of Concrete Sealing in Austin

Concrete surfaces are incredibly common in Austin homes and businesses. From driveways and garage floors to patios and pool decks, concrete is an affordable and durable material. However, without proper care and maintenance, concrete can succumb to cracks, stains, and deterioration.

This is where concrete sealing comes in. Applying a protective sealant to concrete creates a barrier that prevents damage. Keep reading to learn all about the benefits of concrete sealing in Austin.

Protecting Against Moisture Damage

One of the biggest threats to uncovered concrete is moisture. Water, snow, and ice seep through pores in the concrete, then expand when temperatures rise. This constant freezing and thawing motion causes cracks, pitting, and flakes.

Sealing concrete blocks surface moisture from penetrating the concrete. This moisture protection helps prevent hazardous freeze and thaw cycles, keeping your concrete smooth and intact.

Preventing Stains

Unpainted concrete is extremely prone to staining from spills, vehicle fluids, grass, mud, mildew, and more. These unsightly stains can be difficult or even impossible to remove from unsealed concrete.

Concrete sealers provide a protective barrier, preventing stains from setting into the concrete. Sealing makes concrete surfaces much easier to clean as well. Pretty much any spill can be washed off the protective layer left by the sealer.

Enhancing Appearance

Over time, outdoor concrete can start to appear faded, worn, or dirty. While cleaning concrete can help, the effects are generally only temporary.

Applying concrete sealant gives worn concrete a face lift. Sealers enhance the color and surface shine, making the concrete appear vibrant, rich, and like new again. Regular sealing will maintain this refreshed, improved appearance for years.

Extending Longevity

Without a protective seal, concrete is much more vulnerable to damage from weathering, stains, cracks, water seepage, and ground movement. As these concrete hazards compound over the years, the integrity of the concrete becomes compromised.

Sealing concrete provides a first line of defense against wear, tear, stains, moisture damage, and exterior threats. This prevents much of the cumulative damage that can occur over time. Keeping your Austin concrete properly sealed preserves structural soundness and longevity.

How Often to Seal Concrete in Austin

Outdoor concrete should be sealed as often as needed to maintain maximum protection. The sealing frequency depends mainly on the concrete location and exposure.

Here are some general guidelines for reapplying concrete sealers in Austin's climate:

Driveways

- Exposed aggregate driveways - Every 1-2 years

- Standard concrete driveways - Every 2-4 years

Garage Floors

- Sealed garage floors - Every 2-4 years

Patios

- Covered patios - Every 3-5 years

- Open patios - Every 1-3 years

Pool Decks

- Standard concrete pool decks - Every 1-3 years

- Exposed aggregate pool decks - Every 9-12 months

Reapply sealers sooner if you notice the protective qualities diminishing, such as increased concrete staining or moisture damage. For high traffic commercial spaces, sealing as often as every 6-12 months may be needed.

DIY vs Professional Concrete Sealing in Austin

You have two options for sealing your Austin concrete:

1. DIY concrete sealing
2. Hiring professional concrete sealing contractors

DIY Concrete Sealing

For small jobs like patios and short driveways, doing it yourself can save money. However, there are some key factors to weigh:

Labor: Sealing concrete involves intensive surface prep, proper adhesive application in thin even layers, and sometimes multiple coats. This is time-consuming hard work, especially for larger areas.

Expertise: If cracks, pitting, flaking and other concrete damage exist, repairing these issues first requires specialized skill, tools, and products. The average DIYer lacks the experience do this work properly.

Safety: Concrete sealers contain chemicals like epoxies, silanes, silicones, and acrylics. Proper handling and PPE are essential to prevent harm, but DIYers often take shortcuts that put health at risk.

Professional Concrete Sealing

Hiring professional concrete sealing contractors offers these advantages:

Efficiency: With the right equipment and crew size, professionals complete jobs far faster than DIYers. They have optimized systems to prep, seal, and if needed, repair concrete damage.

Quality: Contractors have extensive training in concrete repair work and sealing methods. They know the appropriate processes, techniques, and materials to provide long-lasting, quality results.

Safety: Reputable concrete pros properly use chemical safety gear and containments so crew, clients, pets, and the environment don't risk exposure.

When deciding between DIY vs. hiring a pro, weigh how much your time is worth plus factor in safety. Though pricier upfront, professionals often provide higher quality results and reliability.

Choosing the Best Concrete Sealing Contractor in Austin

Hiring a qualified concrete sealing company is vital to getting results that will protect and beautify your concrete investment. Here are top tips for choosing the best sealing contractor in Austin:

Verify Licensing and Insurance

Always select an insured, licensed concrete contractor for any sealing, repair or installation job. Ask to see current license and insurance certificates.

Request Client References

The best indicator of real-world expertise is happy client reviews. Ask potential contractors for multiple local references and call them. Inquire about quality, responsiveness, pricing satisfaction and more.

Check Industry Certifications

Look for NACE (NACE International Institute) certification. NACE sets widely respected standards for concrete repair and protective coatings. Preferably seek NACE-certified firms and technicians.

Examine Sealer Products Used

The concrete sealing materials greatly impact results. Request information on the brand, durability, permeability rating, and warranty terms of sealers used. Look for long-proven products from reliable national manufacturers.

Taking time to carefully select a concrete sealing company protects your investment and sets the stage for durable, lasting concrete protection.

FAQs

What are the benefits of sealing concrete?

Sealing concrete provides moisture protection, prevents stains, enhances appearance, and extends the life of concrete by preventing cumulative damage from weather, fluids, and ground movement.

How often should I seal my Austin concrete?

Outdoor concrete sealing frequency depends on exposure and location. Driveways need sealing every 2-4 years. Patios and pool decks range from annual sealing to every 5 years. Inspect regularly and reapply sealant when needed.

Is concrete sealing a job I can DIY?

For small concrete areas, DIY sealing is often feasible, though very labor intensive. Larger jobs usually require hiring professional concrete contractors to ensure quality results completed efficiently and safely.

What qualifications should an Austin concrete sealing pro have?

Choose Austin concrete sealing contractors who are fully licensed, insured, NACE-certified, use proven products from reliable brands, and can provide local references backing their quality workmanship.

How much does concrete sealing cost in Austin?

On average, expect to pay $2-$7 per square foot for professional concrete sealing in Austin. Factors like area size, aggregate exposure, necessary crack repairs, and choice of sealer impact precise costs.