Environmental Considerations When Applying Concrete Sealants
Protecting a driveway from oil stains, salt and other de-icing products, yellowing, fading, water damage and lawn care chemicals allows you to get the most out of it in as far as aesthetics and functionality go. If you are in the final stages of building a new house, you can protect the driveway with concrete sealing. However, you cannot wake up one day to embark on a concrete sealing mission and expect the best results without any preparation. It would help if you considered a few aspects that can help you attain the best results. This article highlights the environmental factors that affect concrete sealing.
Atmospheric Temperature -- High temperatures are incompatible with most concrete sealers and lead to issues such as resin strings, blisters, bubbles and diffusion. Concrete sealant manufacturers agree that the best temperatures to perform concrete sealing are above 10 degrees Celsius but not too hot, either. Unfortunately, it isn't always easy to find a day with optimal conditions. You may want to apply concrete sealants on a cloudy day. Look outside your window; if it looks like it's going to rain but the forecast doesn't mention the possibility of rainfall, then it's the best time to seal your driveway. Temperatures remain relatively low when there is thick cloud cover, and this offers optimal conditions for concrete sealing.
Time of Day -- As mentioned earlier, high temperatures do work well with concrete sealing projects. Therefore, it is common for most homeowners to apply concrete sealants early in the morning when temperatures are low. While early-morning temperatures might be low, it is essential to remember that atmospheric temperatures rise as the day progresses. Therefore, since concrete sealants need adequate time to dry, the chances are high that your sealant will not have dried by the time the sun rises. Moreover, subsurface moisture is usually found on concrete surfaces in the mornings, and this might cause discolouration. The best time to apply concrete sealants is at sunset because atmospheric temperatures are lower at this time. It lowers the chances of bubbling. Furthermore, the low temperatures allow a sealant to penetrate deep into a driveway, offering watertight protection.
Driveway Surface Temperatures -- While weather conditions might determine the temperature of concrete, it is advisable to treat these two independently. For example, while atmospheric temperature might be high, the concrete on a covered driveway might be relatively cold. Therefore, if you apply concrete sealants on a cold concrete driveway, it will take longer to seal. Notably, extremely low temperatures slow down the chemical reaction necessary for a concrete sealant to cure adequately. For this reason, apply concrete sealants on a relatively warm concrete driveway.
To learn more, contact a resource that offers concrete sealing services.
