How to Seal Concrete Sidewalks
Sealing concrete sidewalks will protect them from the elements and keep them looking new for many years. Sealing isn't difficult, and it can save you a lot of money in costly repairs later down the road. This will allow you to salt the sidewalks in icy weather and not worry about moisture seeping in during the rainy season.
Using a sealant on concrete sidewalks will protect the sidewalk from nasty weather. The sealant doesn't change the appearance of the sidewalk when used properly.
What You'll Need:
- Garden sprayer
- Roller brush
- Concrete sealant
- Large sponge
- Start by measuring the sidewalk area that you want to seal. The best types of products to seal concrete sidewalks will be silane/siloxane sealers. These are sold at most home improvement retailers. A gallon will cover 100 square feet of sidewalk area.
- Prepare the sidewalk by cleaning it. You may want to use a pressure washer the day before you plan on applying the sealant. Any grease or oil stains or other areas that are very dirty need to be as clean as possible before you apply the sidewalk sealer.
- Apply the sidewalk sealant in a single coat with a roller brush. If you are applying the sealer to a large area you can use a garden sprayer instead. Just be sure you cover the entire sidewalk area without oversaturating it.
- Don't allow the sealant to puddle or pool in any areas. Excess sealant will leave a discoloration on the concrete after it dries. If you notice areas that are starting to pool use the sponge to spread it out right away. If you allow it to dry this way you'll have white spots on your sidewalk later.
- Barricade the wet area off to foot traffic. The sealant needs a full 24 hours to completely absorb in to the concrete and dry. You don't want anyone walking over it during the drying process. This will leave areas unprotected.