While stamp concrete is a durable material, it still needs regular maintenance. The most important thing you can do to keep your stamp concrete patio or driveway looking great is to seal it regularly. If left unsealed, the color of the concrete will fade over time and become more susceptible to stains and discoloration. To help you get started with sealing your own stamp concrete patio or driveway, we've compiled everything you need to know about this process in one place!
The Art of Sealing Concrete
Sealing concrete is the last step in the process of stamping concrete. It's a critical part of protecting your investment and prolonging its life.
Concrete is porous, so it can absorb water. If too much water enters your driveway or patio, it could crack and peel away from the surface. Sealing protects your concrete from moisture damage by blocking out moisture and preventing cracks from forming due to excess moisture in the concrete mix or ground below it.
It's important to note that sealing stamped concrete is different than sealing regular poured-in-place concrete because stamped surfaces tend to be smoother than other types of patios or driveways—that means there are fewer joints where water can collect between slabs and cause damage over time!
Here's how to do it
- Remove any loose debris from the patio. This will be easy to do if you've recently had a rainstorm, but if it's dry outside and you need to use a broom or leaf blower, now is the time to do so.
- Wash your concrete with a garden hose. You don't want excess dirt and debris in your sealer, so make sure that everything is nice and clean before you start applying it! You might want to wear gloves while doing this step—you don't want any oils from your hands getting on the concrete when you're trying to apply an oil-based product.
- Apply sealer using a pump sprayer on all surfaces that need sealing (you may not need every surface). Use long sweeping motions with moderate pressure; this will help ensure even distribution of material across all areas of your patio without leaving streaks or puddles in one particular spot.* Allow 24 hours before walking on newly sealed surface.
Recommended Sealers for Stamped Concrete
- Sealers with UV protection are recommended.
- Sealers compatible with the concrete are recommended.
- Sealers that are compatible with the paint used to color the concrete are recommended.
- Sealer colors should match, or at least be close to, existing stamped concrete surfaces in order to avoid creating an eye-catching contrast between old and new areas of your patio or driveway.
Best Weather for Sealing Stamp Concrete Patio
The best weather for sealing stamp concrete patios is dry and sunny. You want to make sure there is no rain in the forecast, as it will make your sealer not work as well. If it's too cold outside, it may be difficult for the sealer to penetrate into the pores of your patio, which will also affect how well it seals. As such, we recommend sealing during spring or fall when temperatures are milder but still warm (above 50 degrees).
The best time of day to seal stamp concrete patio is early morning or late afternoon so that there isn't direct sunlight beating down on your patio while you apply the sealer. This way there's no risk of scorching or burning grass or plants growing near your patio while they're still sensitive from winterization under snow cover.
How Much Does Stamp Concrete Patio Cost?
The cost of stamp concrete patio can vary depending on the size and complexity of your patio, as well as a number of other factors.
If you're looking to get a basic stamped concrete job done, you should expect to pay anywhere between $1 and $2 per square foot for the service. This price range is for simple designs and includes only basic surface preparation. If your patio has more intricate patterns or needs more materials than what was used in this example, it will cost more.
To get an idea of what type of project might fall into this category, check out our guide on how much stamped concrete costs. We break down all the different factors that affect its price so you know exactly what to expect when budgeting for your next project!
How to Care for Stamp Concrete Patios and Driveways
Taking care of your stamp concrete patio or driveway is easy if you follow a few simple steps.
First, sweep off any dirt or debris that has accumulated on the surface with a broom. Next, spray down the concrete using a hose attachment. Make sure to thoroughly wet the entire surface, so it looks like it's been rained on.
If you have access to a power washer at your home, use it now. The goal is to remove as much dirt as possible from the top layer of your patio/driveway—but not all of it! If you get rid of all of this material entirely (which will probably look like mud), then there'll be nothing left but plain old concrete when you're done washing away all that grime–and no one wants plain ol' concrete in their yard! You can also use stiff bristle brushes instead of hosing down if you prefer; this method works well for small areas where water pressure isn't strong enough for spraying methods alone (like around mailbox posts). And remember: don't forget about those cracks between pavers!
While stamped concrete is a durable material, it still needs regular maintenance
Stamped concrete is a very durable material, but it still needs regular maintenance. Sealing will help keep your stamped concrete looking good and prevent stains and spills from damaging the surface. Sealing also helps to protect against cracking.
Conclusion
Once your stamp concrete patio or driveway is sealed, you can enjoy it for years to come. The process will add value to your home and make the surface more resistant to stains and cracks.
If you have any questions about this project or would like a quote, please contact The Paver Sealer Store today!
