Re-Sealing

When your stamped concrete was installed, as the very last step we applied clear concrete sealer. That sealer will protect the color of your stamped concrete from fading, staining, etc. There is also a special additive in your sealer to help prevent slipping when the surface is wet.

The sealer that is used has a life expectancy of about 3-5 years. Once the sealer wears down, you should re-apply it using a high quality clear concrete sealer. How do you know when the sealer is wearing down? Normally it will begin to look faded and dried out. It often gives a white or chalky look in the worn areas.

Prepare the concrete area

To apply the new sealer we recommend 3 steps, power wash, dry and apply the sealer. A regular garden hose would work, however the best way to get a thorough cleaning prior to re-sealing is to use a power washer. A standard home-grade power washer (1500 psi, or so…) should do fine. As mentioned above, please be very careful when using a power washer both to your own safety and to the safety of your stamped concrete! Keep the nozzle a foot (12”) or more away from the surface of the concrete so that you won’t damage the surface.

Once you have the surface good and clean you must let it dry thoroughly, i.e. “bone dry”. You can use a leaf blower as a drier or just let the sun dry it thoroughly for a couple of hours.

Ok, now you are ready. Before applying your new sealer, just double check that there is no dirt, grease, or any other debris on the surface, and be extra-sure that the concrete is 100% dry, even in the grout lines between the stones.

Purchase the sealer and anti-slip additive

Purchase a sufficient amount of high quality solvent-based clear concrete sealer from your local contractors building supply store, most of them sell retail to individual homeowners. Your sales rep at the store can help determine the quantity that you will need. A few sources for sealer are:

White Cap Building Supply (formerly “Greenwald”), Springfield

Virginia Contractors Supply , Manassas

Handyman Concrete , Chantilly

Decorative Supply , Florida, available online at www.decosup.com

While you are there, also pick up a container of anti-slipping additive that can be mixed into the sealer. This is a specially manufactured material that looks like white sand that will provide bit of texture or “grit” to the surface to help prevent slipping when it is wet.

(Note: the concrete sealer sold at consumer home improvement centers and “depots” is typically not suitable for stamped concrete and should be avoided.)

Apply the sealer

Now, back to the “how to” for applying your sealer. If your sealer comes in a 5-gallon bucket, you can use it directly out of that bucket, just take the top completely off of the can. If your sealer comes in a 1-gallon container, you should pour it into another clean, empty 5-gallon bucket. Before applying your sealer, first blend the anti-slipping additive into the sealer. Just pour it into the bucket and stir it up for a few minutes.

Now, using a paint roller on an extension pole, apply the sealer evenly to the surface. Dip the paint roller into the bucket of sealer, then apply. Do not pour the sealer directly onto the concrete. Instead, you should dip the roller into the bucket and apply it to the concrete. Be sure and get the sealer in all lines and recesses of the stamp pattern and spread it out evenly across the surface.