Imprinted Concrete ( also called patterned or stamped concrete) looks fabulous when installed. Part of this initial process is applying a sealer to both protect and enhance the surface. While it is proven to be hard wearing and long lasting, it obviously requires looking after. Re-sealing Imprinted Concrete is essential maintenance and will revitalise your Driveway. As with most maintenance, regular upkeep will help prevent surface deterioration. Smartseal supply professional products that are designed to bring back the Driveways original colour plus penetrate the concrete and form a protective water repellent barrier.
Ideally , Re-sealing Imprinted Concrete should be done every 2 or 3 years. But, dont worry if you have left it longer than that. We can progressively apply colour tint to each coat of sealer and bring back the Wow factor. In some cases, clients say it looks even better than when originally installed!
The Process
Firstly, a good clean is required. This is done with our industrial standard pressure washing equipment. To avoid causing any damage to the concrete ( especially areas where deterioration is already prevalent ) a pre -treatment with a biocidal wash will kill and loosen algae, lichens and grime. This means less pressure is required from the cleaning machines. Once clean , the concrete must be given time to dry out. This is to prevent any moisture being trapped in the concrete underneath the sealant. If sealed when damp the surface will bloom – this means milky white stains appearing, that cannot be cleaned off. This is obviously not desirable but can be easily rectified.
Next it’s time to repair any areas which have cracked or chipped. Compounds and fillers applied make the surface level ,ready for re sealing.
We apply the sealant with spray ,brush or roller, in stages. When colour is needed we apply this tint in the first coat. Progressively we use less tint as the coats of sealant are added. At least two coats are applied , depending on the condition of the drive it could be 4 or 5 coats.
Once it looks perfect it needs time to cure. That means dry weather ( 6 hours) and no vehicular traffic ( 24hours ).
For Re-sealing Imprinted Concrete Contact us here
