Concrete Sealing in West Allis, WI

Freeze, thaw and salt

Outdoor concrete in Wisconsin lives a hard life. Rain and snowmelt soak into its pores, then freeze. As water turns to ice, it expands and puts pressure on the concrete from inside. Repeat that dozens of times a winter and the surface starts to flake off, a problem called scaling. Deicing salt makes it worse, both by drawing in more water and by increasing the number of freeze-thaw cycles at the surface. That is why so many front steps, sidewalks and garage aprons around town have rough, pitted tops and crumbling edges.

A good penetrating sealer slows that damage dramatically. It soaks into the concrete and lines the pores with a water-repellent barrier, so less water and salt get in to freeze.

Penetrating versus film-forming sealers

There are two broad kinds of sealers. Film-forming acrylics sit on top of the concrete and give it a wet or glossy look. They can be attractive on decorative patios, but they wear off in a season or two on steps and walks, can get slippery when wet and may trap moisture. Penetrating silane and siloxane sealers soak in and leave little or no visible film. The concrete keeps its natural look and texture, it can still breathe and the protection lasts much longer. For most outdoor concrete here, penetrating sealers are our recommendation.

What we seal

We seal front and back steps, stoops, sidewalks, patios, garage aprons, driveways, pool decks and the concrete pads under air conditioners and grills. We also seal interior concrete in basements and storage areas where a full coating is not needed. For two-family homes and small rental buildings, sealing shared walks and steps is an inexpensive way to protect them from tenant salt use.

Our process

Sealer only works on clean concrete. We start by removing dirt, moss, oil stains and old sealer with a surface cleaner and pressure washing. Cracks and small spalls are repaired first. We let the concrete dry fully, then apply the sealer with a low-pressure sprayer and back-roll or broom it in so it soaks evenly. We typically seal in late spring, summer or early fall, when the concrete is dry and the weather is warm enough for good penetration.

Repairing damaged concrete

If your steps or walks are already scaling, sealing will help stop further damage, but it will not restore the surface. For moderate scaling, we can apply a thin resurfacing mortar to give the concrete a fresh face before sealing. For broken steps, crumbling edges or concrete that has heaved, we will tell you honestly if replacement is a better choice.

Salt habits that help

Sealer works best with sensible salt use. Shovel before you salt so you need less. Use calcium magnesium acetate or sand on new concrete in its first winter. Avoid ammonium-based deicers, which attack concrete aggressively. Do not pile salty snow from the street onto your walk. These small changes, along with a good sealer, can add years to outdoor concrete.

How often to reseal

Penetrating sealers typically last several years, depending on traffic, sun and salt exposure. A simple test tells you when it is time: sprinkle some water on the concrete. If it beads up, the sealer is still working. If it darkens and soaks in quickly, it is time to reseal. We are happy to put you on a reminder schedule.

Sealing questions