Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Depending on the location of our stamped concrete customers' project, the amount of exposure to the sun, weather elements in the North East and traffic, will determine the frequency at which one should wash, treat (as applicable) and seal their stamped concrete project. *Also note that no de-icing salt or similar product can damage the stamped concrete surface integrity, and should not be used. Stamped and conventional concrete need quality concrete sealer protection. Following this guidance, our stamped concrete customers will ensure, that releasing agents and integral color in their stamped concrete project remain intact, along with protection of the stamped concrete surface integrity. Concrete scaling, spalling, and flaking will severely damage the stamped or exposed aggregate concrete surface's appearance, integrity, and its appeal.

Add an answer to t I suppose you can, although, not recommended. But, do you want to? Conventional or stamped concrete should be properly cleaned, to avoid future problems, which can be quite expensive to try to make it look better. See concrete sealer issues. Ensuring your stamped or exposed aggregate concrete surface is properly cleaned from containments such as grime, mold, and mildew to name a few, or any other organisms living in or on the concrete’s surface. See the wash & seal page. You will also prevent future surface problems, thereby reducing your cost and overall expense, while protecting your exposed aggregate concrete or stamped concrete investment.

Here is where the majority of customers and contractors screw up big time. There are many types and brands of sealers on the market today. Many different sealers with many different pricing, which is very confusing to understand when shopping for a quality concrete sealer, to protect and beautify your stamped concrete project. Failure to protect your concrete’s surface, can in most cases and will eventually result in the spalling, scaling-a type of concrete flaking, that will compromise the concrete or stamped concrete surface integrity. The type of sealer is mentioned below.

We do spray an acrylic sealer on our customer's stamped concrete surfaces, because of our experience, we are able to control the amount of sealer being applied, and overspray does not end up everywhere. Spraying stamped concrete sealer can result in too much sealer making the surface look “milky white,” “crystallizing look,” small pinhead size “bubbles” and de-lamination-peeling. We normally use a rolling application method, when applying quality acrylic sealer to flat or irregular stamped concrete surfaces, depending on the surface condition, porosity, and temperature of the surface and day.

The yellowing is most likely the result of cheap sealers with styrene and also an improperly cleaned surface (pollen, trapped mold, mildew) The bubbles are a form of de-lamination, which can result from a multitude of reasons, including, but not limited to; improper cleaning of the surface, incompatible sealers, too much sealer, sealing over a wet or damp surface or improper method of sealer application.

Many folks try “ the band-aid approach,” once “the process” has been compromised, or a low-quality sealer has been applied, there is not much one can do than to start over. Most contractors do not specialize in the sealing of concrete or stamped concrete, which has been around for a few years. They install, seal, and take the money and run, or walk fast. So they are not aware of the problems they create for our customers. Stamped concrete cleaning and sealing is what we do!