Seal Your Driveway or Patio? Here’s What You Should Know.

In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of sealing driveways and patios, aiming to give you insights that will help you decide if it’s the right choice for you. When it comes to home maintenance, sealing driveways and patios is often overlooked, yet it offers several advantages—from extending the lifespan of these surfaces to enhancing your home’s curb appeal. Here’s why, when done correctly, sealing your driveway and patio can be a worthwhile investment.

 

The Pros Of Sealed Patios and Driveways

Protects Against Cracks and Erosion

 

Prevents Organic Growth

 

Easier to Clean

 

Weed Prevention

Mitigates Heavy Staining Like Oil Stains

How Sealing Can Boost Your Homes Curb Appeal

Matte or Gloss Finishes

Sealing your driveway or patio helps preserve its fresh look much longer than if left unsealed. There are generally two types of finishes you can achieve with a sealer. One is a matte finish, which subtly protects without visibly altering the surface, yet still provides all the advantages mentioned earlier. The other option, often preferred, is a gloss or “wet look” finish, as many people find driveways and patios more attractive when they appear wet.

This is because water enhances colour depth, giving surfaces a richer, more vibrant look. Whether you opt for a matte or gloss finish, sealing will always boost a home’s curb appeal by keeping these surfaces looking better for longer.

How A Sealed Surface Will Look Better For Longer

Sanded Block Paving

After cleaning and re-sanding your block-paved driveway, sealing it can help keep its fresh appearance for much longer. Although a newly sanded block-paved driveway looks great, a common issue is that the sand often starts to wash away, especially during the heavy rain cycles we frequently experience here in the UK.

In addition to keeping black spot and lichens at bay for longer, sealing a surface like this hardens the sealer, not only on top of the paving blocks but also within the gaps where the sand sits. This creates a protective layer between the sand and the elements, helping to keep it in place. As you can imagine, sealing is an ideal solution for a surface like this.

PIC: Pattern Imprinted Concrete

Pattern imprinted concrete (PIC) is a popular choice for driveways, typically sealed when first laid to give it the desired colour and shine. Unfortunately, over time, these surfaces can wear down and begin to discolour, particularly in areas where cars are frequently parked. A well-laid PIC driveway will last a good amount of time before needing a fresh layer of sealer.

Applying sealer to an older PIC driveway can bring it back to life. The amount of sealer required will depend on the level of wear and damage to the surface. Sealing not only revives the appearance of the driveway but also provides protection from the elements, as unsealed surfaces are more vulnerable to organic growth and deterioration.

Patio Paving Slabs

When it comes to enhancing and maintaining the natural beauty of most patios, applying a sealer can make a noticeable difference. A fresh layer of sealant not only brings out the rich colours of such material as sandstone but also adds a nice finish that can make the stones look as vibrant as they did from day one.

Without this protective layer, paving slabs like Indian sandstone can be quite porous, readily absorbing water and becoming a breeding ground for moss, algae, and other types of organic growth, especially during the damp UK weather.

Sealing patios helps prevent water from penetrating the slabs, reducing the risk of frost damage in winter. By creating a barrier over the stone’s surface and within its pores, the sealant protects against the constant wet and dry cycles that cause natural stones to weaken over time. This is especially useful for areas with frequent rain, as the sealer minimises water absorption, helping to maintain the stone’s structural integrity and appearance.

The Potential Considerations Of Sealing Driveways and Patios

The Cost Of Sealing

Unfortunately, sealing products aren’t cheap. In addition to the costly products required to properly seal driveways and patios, there’s also the expense of labour. Sealing is a meticulous task that can take considerable time to complete, depending on the condition and type of surface.

However, not all driveways and patios need the same amount of product; this depends on the surface type, which determines how much product and time are needed to achieve a professional finish.

Surface Slipperiness

Sealing a surface with a glossy finish can make many surfaces quite slippery, especially when wet. This is particularly true for surfaces like pattern imprinted concrete. To address this, it’s essential to use low-slip granules with the top coat of sealer. If you’re applying three coats of sealer, ensure the final coat includes the recommended amount of low-slip granules, which will help improve grip in wet conditions.

Keep in mind that low-slip granules don’t make the surface entirely slip-resistant. They’re classified as low-slip, meaning there’s still some slip risk, even when applied correctly.

Weather Dependancy

Sealing a surface successfully depends heavily on the weather. Unfortunately, in the UK, this can be challenging, as you need the surface to be not only dry on top but also as dry as possible beneath the surface.

Newly laid or recently cleaned patios or block-paved driveways tend to retain moisture below the surface. Applying sealer over a surface that hasn’t dried thoroughly can lead to issues, with the biggest warning sign being a chalky appearance known as efflorescence, caused by moisture reacting with the sealer.

A professional would always use a moisture meter to check levels before applying any sealer. If you’re in the middle of sealing and it starts to rain, stop immediately and hope the rain doesn’t turn into a downpour!

Improper Application

Applying sealer is similar to painting; if you apply it too thickly in certain areas, you’ll end up with a pooling effect. This means the sealer won’t adhere properly to the surface, and it will likely start chipping and flaking over time.

This issue is particularly common when sealing surfaces like pattern imprinted concrete, especially when using tints. Colour Tints naturally thicken the sealer, so it’s essential to be cautious with the amount of tint you add and to apply the sealer carefully to ensure an even finish.

Maintenance Over Time

Sealing won’t completely eliminate wear and tear. Even on a sealed surface, areas with high foot traffic or parked vehicles may still wear down over time. That said, a properly sealed surface should last for years before any maintenance is required. When maintenance is needed, it’s usually far less costly than the initial costs of sealing, as it may only involve applying another top coat to restore the original finish.

Summary Table

Trusted Suppliers

Above, we’ve listed two trusted suppliers: Pureseal Services LTD and SmartSeal. I’ve used both for a variety of cleaning and sealing materials and can’t recommend them highly enough. Their customer service and delivery times are consistently excellent.

Make sure to order the sealer that’s suited to the specific surface you’re working on. While I’ve referenced concrete sealers here, you’ll need to select the correct type of sealer depending on the surface for the best results.

Ready to protect and enhance your driveway or patio?

At MSRCleantech, we provide professional sealing services designed to enhance durability, curb appeal, and the long-term value of your surfaces. If you think this service could benefit you, don’t hesitate to reach out. Contact us today using the “Request a Quote” button below or email us at martin@msrcleantech.com.