How long should a sealed surface last and how often should I reseal my paving?

Sealer doesn’t wash off with the rain or get blown away with the wind. It is on the surface ‘indefinitely’, though it can get worn off with vehicular or foot traffic.  Even when the sealer coating has worn an element of the sealer will still remain as it will have soaked in to the concrete, which will continue to help reduce dusting. The frequency with which the imprinted concrete surface should be resealed is dependent on how much wear the area gets, the quality of surface of the installation in the first instance, and how ‘new’ and pristine the customer wishes the surface to look. Some customers like the new look, although the vast majirity prefer a more weathered, less shiny, and more natural look for their paving.

 It is recommended that pattern imprinted concrete would benefit from a reseal every 3 to 5 years. This will maintain a protective coating on top of the pattern imprinted concrete, preventing wear to the concrete surface itself.  Similar to looking after and maintaining a solid oak wood floor. Nobody would deny that asolid oak wood floor is not a top quality product. However if that solid oak wooden floor is not maintained appropriately – oiled, varnished or waxed etc. then the oak itself will start to wear and detract from its good looks, particularly in high wear areas such as by front doors / entrances of buildings. If the wood floor is  properly maintained with a protective finish then that oak floor will look good for decades to come, because the protective layer takes the wear, not the floor itself. The same is true for pattern imprinted concrete.

There are many areas of pattern imprinted concrete that have been installed 30 years ago and it would not be clear whether the job was 5 or 35 years old. Quite amazing!

In any event, a good quality, well installed pattern imprinted concrete job will not suffer huge premature wear just because the surface hasn’t been maintained as recommended. However, maintaining as recommended, for the small cost of a reseal, will ensure the surface is protected and will remain looking good for decades to come, as it is the sealed surface that becomes a sacrificial layer, and takes all the wear and weathering, rather than the decorative concrete surface itself.

If in doubt, speak with PICS

If you discover you have anything other than a solvent based sealer, we advise you to contact PICS and one of the team will be happy to discuss the best route forward.