How much does it cost to seal a concrete driveway in NB?

Professional concrete driveway sealing in New Brunswick costs $1–$3 per square foot, putting a typical two-car driveway (400–600 sq ft) at $400–$1,800 depending on the sealer type and prep work required. DIY sealing with materials from a NB building supply store costs $150–$400 in materials for the same driveway.

The type of sealer makes a significant difference in both price and performance. A penetrating silane/siloxane sealer is the best choice for NB driveways — it soaks into the concrete surface and repels water without changing the appearance, and it lasts 2–5 years before reapplication. Penetrating sealers run $40–$80 per gallon and cover 150–300 square feet per gallon. An acrylic sealer adds a light sheen and enhances the colour of decorative concrete but is less durable in NB's freeze-thaw conditions — it can peel and flake within 1–2 years without annual reapplication.

Sealing is not optional in New Brunswick — it is essential. NB roads are salted heavily from November through April, and salt-laden slush splashes onto driveways every winter. De-icing salt creates more freeze-thaw cycles at the concrete surface than ambient temperature alone would produce. An unsealed driveway in NB will begin scaling and spalling noticeably within 5–10 years. A properly sealed driveway can last 30–40 years with proper maintenance.

New concrete should not be sealed immediately — wait a minimum of 28–30 days after the pour before applying a penetrating sealer, and longer is better. The concrete needs time to fully cure before sealing. Some acrylic sealers designed as curing and sealing compounds can be applied earlier, but penetrating sealers should wait a full cure cycle.

Surface preparation before sealing matters. The driveway should be clean and free of oil stains, efflorescence, or old peeling sealer. Pressure washing and applying a concrete degreaser to oil spots before sealing ensures the sealer bonds properly. A sealer applied over contamination will peel. DIY sealing is one of the more accessible concrete maintenance tasks for NB homeowners — it just requires a roller or sprayer, a clean dry surface, and mild weather above 10°C.