Lock in the clean. Block out the stain.

Concrete sealing is the most cost-effective way to extend the life of any external concrete surface. Unsealed concrete is porous — typically 8-15% air by volume — and those pores absorb rain, oil, de-icing salt and organic matter. In a Scottish winter, water absorbed into the surface freezes, expands, and causes surface spalling (the characteristic flaking you see on old concrete steps). Sealing closes those pores and breaks the freeze-thaw cycle.

There are two fundamentally different categories of concrete sealer and they suit different situations. Penetrating sealers (silane, siloxane, siliconate) soak into the concrete and react with the silica in the pore structure, forming a hydrophobic barrier below the surface. They don't change the appearance, don't make the surface slippery, and last 7-10 years. They're ideal for driveways, paths, and anywhere you want to keep the original concrete look. Film-forming sealers (acrylic, polyurethane, epoxy) sit on the surface and create a visible gloss or satin finish. They enhance colour, resist oil and chemical spills better, but need re-application every 3-5 years and can be slippery when wet.

We always seal after a fresh pressure wash — never onto an unwashed surface, never onto a wet surface, and never onto a surface that hasn't cured properly (new concrete needs 28 days before sealing). Concrete moisture content is checked with a Tramex meter before application; if the slab is too wet, we'll rebook rather than trap moisture under the sealer, which causes cloudy patches and eventual blistering.