How to Seal a Concrete Driveway in Western New York

Sealing is the cheapest thing you can do to make a Buffalo driveway last, and skipping it is the fastest way to lose one to road salt. Here is how to seal a concrete driveway in Western New York, and how often to do it.

Step by step

1. Clean the surface. Remove dirt, oil, and stains with a pressure washer or concrete degreaser, then let the driveway dry completely. Sealer will not bond to a dirty or damp surface.
2. Repair cracks and spalls. Fill cracks with a concrete crack filler and patch any spalled areas, then let the repairs cure per the product directions.
3. Choose the right sealer. For Western New York, a penetrating (silane/siloxane) sealer is the best choice. It soaks in, blocks chloride from road salt, and lets the slab breathe, so it will not peel like a surface film can. Avoid heavy film-forming sealers on a driveway that sees winter salt and plowing.
4. Pick the right day. Apply when the surface and air are between about 50 and 85 degrees, with no rain or hard frost expected for 24 hours.
5. Apply thin, even coats. Use a low-pressure sprayer or roller and apply thin, even coats, following the manufacturer's directions. Avoid puddling.
6. Cure and reseal on schedule. Keep traffic off until the sealer fully cures, then reseal every 2 to 3 years in the Buffalo climate.

How often to reseal in Buffalo

Because of heavy winter salting, exterior concrete in Western New York should be resealed every 2 to 3 years, more often on decorative surfaces you want to keep looking new. A good test: if water no longer beads on the surface, it is time to reseal.

New concrete: wait, then seal

Let a brand-new driveway cure for about a month before its first sealer, and go easy on the deicing salt during that first winter. Fresh concrete has not developed full resistance yet, so sand for traction the first season and let the slab age before you rely on salt.