Sealing concrete cuts down how much water, salt and staining soak into the slab. A penetrating treatment changes how the surface takes on water, so more of it beads up and runs off.
Concrete looks solid, but it’s full of tiny pores. Bare, it drinks up whatever lands on it. That’s the part sealing goes after.
Why less water matters here
Water inside concrete is where most winter damage starts. The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) recommends a “breathable concrete sealer or water repellent” to help fight scaling, the flaking that shows up after freeze-thaw winters. Breathable matters. Moisture that does get in needs a way back out.
Salt rides along with the water. Brine from deicers and car tires soaks in the same way rain does. Less absorption means less of both sitting in the top of the slab when it freezes.
Stains follow the same path. NexaNano, who makes the treatment we use, says its concrete product protects against “freeze-thaw cycles, stains, and water damage without changing the appearance.” Want the details? Ask us for the data sheet.
What it doesn’t do
- It doesn’t fill cracks. A crack is a gap, and a clear treatment can’t bridge it.
- It doesn’t level a slab that has sunk or tipped.
- It doesn’t rebuild a surface that has already flaked off.
- It doesn’t add color or shine. Gloss comes from a coating, which is a different product.
- It doesn’t make ice any less slick. Keep the sand handy.
It also has to go on clean, dry concrete. Dirt and mildew in the pores keep the treatment from soaking in, which is why concrete cleaning comes first.
See how the work is done on our concrete protection page. Then call or text (812) 664-6222, and we’ll look at your driveway, walks and steps at a free exterior evaluation.