Stamped concrete sealing in Pittsburgh
A good seal for stamped concrete keeps the color deep and keeps water and salt out of the surface. It's the one thing a stamped patio needs every few years, and doing it wrong is the most common cause of a cloudy, peeling or slippery finish.
Signs it is time to reseal
Any textured concrete sealer wears down in time. You don't need a calendar, as your slab will tell you when it's ready.
- Water soaks in rather than beading up
- The color looks washed out when dry
- High spots look worn or dull
- White or cloudy patches have appeared
- The surface marks easily or holds dirt
Why sealers turn white or peel
Cloudy or milky patches almost always come from moisture trapped under the sealer. That can happen if the slab was wet when it was sealed, or if too thick a coat went on. Too many layers built up over the years can also lift and peel. Putting more sealer on top rarely helps. Usually the old coat needs to be softened with a solvent or stripped, then a thin new coat can go on.
We use a breathable acrylic on most stamped jobs, applied in thin coats by roller, on a dry slab in dry weather. Ask for a grit additive on any area you'll walk on when it's wet. A high-gloss look can be attractive, but it's far more slippery than a satin finish.
Looking after it between coats
Sweep and rinse the surface, and wash it each spring with a mild soap. Keep pressure washers at a safe distance and on a low setting, as a tight jet can strip the sealer. Don't use rock salt on stamped concrete. Sand gives you grip without the harm. If the color has faded beyond what a sealer can bring back, see stamped concrete repair.
How the job goes
- Check it
We see what the old sealer is doing.
- Clean
Dirt and algae are washed off, and the slab dries.
- Strip or soften
Failed sealer is stripped first, which costs more.
- Seal
Thin coats go on in dry weather.
- Dry
Stay off it until the coat has cured.
Common questions
Do concrete patios need to be sealed?
Plain ones don't have to be, though it helps here. Stamped patios do need sealing.
Should a concrete patio be sealed?
We recommend it, since sealing keeps out water and salt and makes the slab easier to clean.
How often should you seal concrete patio?
Every two to four years for stamped concrete, or a little longer for plain.
Why is my concrete patio turning green?
That's algae or moss, usually in the shade. Wash it with a mild cleaner, then improve the drainage and seal it.
More services
- stamped concrete
- stamped concrete patio
- concrete patio contractors
- stamped concrete walkway
- stamped concrete steps and porches
- stamped concrete pool deck
- stamped concrete overlay
- stamped concrete repair
- concrete staining
- decorative concrete
- colored concrete
- decorative concrete driveway