How do I seal a concrete driveway in New Brunswick?

Sealing your concrete driveway is one of the most important maintenance tasks you can do in New Brunswick -- and done correctly, it adds years to the life of your driveway by blocking the moisture and road salt that cause freeze-thaw damage.

The best sealer for NB driveways is a penetrating silane/siloxane sealer rather than a surface-film acrylic sealer. Penetrating sealers soak into the concrete matrix, chemically bonding with the cement to repel water at depth without changing the appearance of the surface. Surface film sealers add a sheen but sit on top of the concrete -- in NB's freeze-thaw conditions, that surface film is vulnerable to peeling and flaking as moisture trapped beneath it expands and contracts through the seasons. A quality penetrating sealer costs $40-$80 per gallon and covers 150-300 square feet per gallon depending on the porosity of your concrete.

The process for sealing an NB driveway:

First, clean thoroughly. A power washer (2,000-3,000 PSI) removes dirt, algae, road film, and loose surface material. Allow the concrete to dry completely -- 24-48 hours minimum in summer, longer if weather has been wet. Sealing damp concrete traps moisture and compromises adhesion.

Repair any cracks wider than a hairline before sealing. Use a polyurethane or silicone-based concrete crack filler and allow it to cure fully. Sealing over open cracks does not fix them -- it just hides them temporarily.

Apply the sealer with a paint roller (3/8-inch nap) or a low-pressure garden sprayer rated for sealers. Work in sections from the back of the driveway toward the street so you do not walk over wet sealer. Apply an even, thin coat -- do not glob it on. With penetrating sealers, the concrete absorbs what it needs; excess sealer sitting on the surface can leave white marks or residue.

Timing is everything in New Brunswick. Apply sealer only when temperatures will remain above 10 degrees Celsius for at least 24 hours -- that means May through September in most of NB. Do not seal if rain is forecast within 24 hours. The ideal window is a dry stretch of 2-3 days in warm weather.

For a new concrete driveway, wait a minimum of 28 days before applying sealer -- the concrete needs time to fully cure and off-gas. Ideally, wait 60-90 days.

Plan to reseal every 2-3 years for best protection against NB's freeze-thaw cycles and road salt. This is not optional maintenance in our climate -- it is the single most effective thing you can do to extend the life of your driveway. New Brunswick Concrete can connect you with local contractors who offer professional sealing services if you prefer to have it done right.