The truth is that sealing your concrete driveway won't eliminate the cracks that are already there. If your driveway has been hit over the years by vehicles and the environment, the cracks that are already there won't be eliminated just because we put a layer of our tough, durable sealant on top. A concrete sealant can reduce freeze-thaw damage by reducing water absorbed by concrete. However, it should be reapplied periodically. There are several sealants available and they usually contain the chemicals silane or siloxane.
One of the most common questions received at ConcreteNetwork.com is about cracks that are developing in freshly poured concrete. The landlord will wonder why it is cracking and did they receive poor quality work? Concrete inevitably cracks at some point, but the insertion of control joints prevents them from appearing randomly. Instead, you'll be able to direct cracks to the spots that are easiest to repair with a concrete sealant. Concrete sealants are chemicals that can be used to add a permanent protective layer to concrete floors and other various structures. Sealing concrete will help eliminate any chance of moisture damage and, in turn, help add more durability and strength to the material.
Although it is not always necessary to seal the joints, this can help protect the joints from the infiltration of surface water and incompressible materials into the joint. Surface water infiltration can cause subgrade failure and incompressible materials in the gasket can contribute to chipping. Any sealant application should be delayed to ensure concrete shrinkage is complete. Sealant materials must adhere to concrete, be impermeable, and able to withstand expansion and contraction. The concrete around your home can have a big impact when it comes to exterior appeal. This is true for the driveway, which is usually the first thing you see when you approach a house from the street.
Therefore, when you have a cracked entrance that is itching and crumbling, it can be a nuisance that creates a bad impression of your home even before a guest sets foot inside. If the concrete is not level, it may also be contributing to premature wear. Perhaps the slabs at your entrance will come together in a place where soil loss has created a low point where water can accumulate. Grouping gives water more time to submerge into concrete and more opportunities for concrete erosion. If you see areas where water could be accumulating, call Thrasher to schedule a free inspection to determine if leveling could extend the life of your concrete. The key to protecting your entry in the long term is to seal it from the elements.
Sealing your driveway may seem like a no-brainer, but many homeowners forget this simple step only to regret it years later, when it becomes necessary to replace or renew their driveway. At Thrasher, we use ResurfacePro (TM) to renew old and worn concrete. The ResurfacePro system works by coating the old entrance surface with a super-durable layer of polymer cement, giving it a completely new look and restoring its function, and unlike new concrete, it can be ready for use the next day. Deterioration of concrete structures due to alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR) is rare in Australia. The idea is that in high-strength concrete, moisture is more likely to be retained in the concrete, and because there are fewer internal voids for the alkaline silica gel to expand, the expansion is more likely to cause cracking. Although concrete takes almost a month to fully cure, the curing process is more delicate during the first few days after pouring. If water leaks through the cracks and comes into contact with that gel, it expands rapidly and disintegrates the concrete from the inside out. Plastic shrinkage cracking occurs when the surface evaporation rate exceeds the rate at which moisture is supplied to it (through concrete bleeding).
This problem can cause oxidation of the reinforcing steel, deterioration of concrete, and chipping if left untreated. A standard 80-pound bag of Quikrete concrete mix requires approximately three-quarters of a gallon of water to achieve the right consistency, such as oatmeal. However, it is important to keep a close eye on these cracks, as they can form a weakness in the concrete. Exposure of reinforced concrete to chloride ions (salts in air and water) is the main cause of premature corrosion of steel reinforcement. For smaller projects, such as concrete vases and other decorative items, you can add wire mesh during pouring to improve strength and reduce cracking. To make life easier, you can eliminate the need to water the concrete by adding Quikrete Acrylic Cure & Seal to the mixing water before combining it with the concrete. Without this sturdy and stable base, concrete slabs will have more room to move and cracks will form.
The best way to prevent plastic cracks in the concrete surface is to incorporate a process called curing. Careful timing is essential to ensure that the concrete is re-liquefied under the action of the vibrator and that the cracks are completely closed. Typical areas where the alkali-Silica reaction (ASR) occurs are concrete structures, such as pillars and bridges, that are close to the waterline or in a body or water. This chemical reaction, or hydration, continues to occur for days and weeks after the concrete is poured.
