Serving St. Johns · Duval · Nassau Estate‑Grade Housekeeping · Finish‑Aware Exterior Cleaning · Signature Sealing & Restoration · Licensed · Insured
Hardscape Protection
Concrete may be the most common hardscape material — but sealing it correctly takes just as much technical knowledge as sealing natural stone. Stamped, colored, exposed-aggregate, and standard poured concrete each have different porosity, surface profiles, and sealer requirements. We match product and application technique to your specific concrete type and exposure conditions.
Serving Nocatee · Ponte Vedra · Jacksonville · St. Augustine · Amelia Island
Licensed · Insured · Background-Checked
Unsealed concrete degrades faster than most homeowners realize
Concrete is porous. It absorbs water, stains, salt, and chemicals through its surface. In Northeast Florida, the combination of heavy rain, high humidity, intense UV, salt air, and constant irrigation creates conditions that accelerate concrete deterioration — fading stamped patterns, eroding colored surfaces, encouraging algae and mold, and driving efflorescence. Professional sealing creates a protective barrier that dramatically extends the life and appearance of your concrete investment.
Stamped and colored concrete fades rapidly under Florida UV. Sealing preserves integral color and release-agent patterns, maintaining the decorative investment that sets your hardscape apart from standard gray concrete.
Oil, rust, leaf tannins, fertilizer, and pool chemicals penetrate unsealed concrete quickly and often permanently. Sealed surfaces resist stain absorption, giving you time to clean before damage sets.
Water absorption followed by heat expansion drives surface spalling — the flaking and pitting that ages concrete prematurely. Sealing reduces moisture uptake and slows this destructive cycle.
Shaded, irrigated concrete is a prime host for biological growth. Sealed surfaces resist colonization, stay cleaner longer, and require less frequent professional cleaning to maintain appearance.
Each concrete type has different surface characteristics, porosity, and sealer requirements. We adjust product selection and application technique accordingly.
Stamped concrete replicates the look of natural stone, brick, or tile through textured imprints and color application. Sealing is critical — it protects both the integral color and the release-agent pattern that creates the realistic appearance. Without sealing, UV fade and wear erase the stamped detail within a few years in Florida.
Integrally colored or stained concrete relies on pigments that UV and moisture degrade over time. Sealing locks in the color depth and prevents the washed-out, chalky appearance that develops on unsealed colored concrete within 2–3 Florida summers.
Exposed aggregate surfaces showcase the decorative stone within the concrete matrix. Sealing enhances the color of the aggregate stones and protects the cement matrix that holds them in place — preventing the loose-stone shedding that occurs as unsealed matrix deteriorates.
Standard gray or broom-finished concrete benefits from sealing too — especially driveways, garage aprons, and walkways that face vehicle traffic, oil drips, and heavy use. Sealing protects against staining and extends the clean, uniform appearance.
Pool-area concrete faces the harshest chemical environment — chlorine, salt system output, sunscreen, and constant moisture. Sealing protects against chemical damage while maintaining the slip resistance required around pools. We use sealers that won't become slippery when wet.
Driveways endure the heaviest mechanical load on the property. Sealing protects against oil absorption, tire marks, UV fade, and the surface erosion caused by daily vehicle traffic. Sealed driveways also clean more easily during routine pressure washing.
Clean, prep, seal — done right the first time
We evaluate the concrete type, existing sealer condition (if any), staining, efflorescence, and surface damage. Cleaning uses our professional surface cleaner with appropriate detergents — removing dirt, algae, mold, and contaminants to bare, clean concrete. For stamped and colored concrete, we adjust pressure to avoid damaging the decorative surface.
Deep-set stains (oil, rust, leaf tannins) that survive standard cleaning receive targeted treatment. We also note any cracks, spalling, or joint deterioration that should be addressed before sealing — sealing over damage only hides it temporarily while moisture continues working underneath.
Concrete must be fully dry before sealer application. Moisture trapped under sealer causes whitening (blushing), bubbling, adhesion failure, and premature peeling. We verify surface dryness and allow adequate cure time after cleaning. For sealed concrete that must be completed on a tight schedule, we use air movement and torch drying on problem areas.
We apply the selected sealer in thin, even coats using professional spray equipment calibrated for the product's viscosity and the concrete's porosity. Two thin coats outperform one thick coat — thinner layers cure properly and resist peeling, bubbling, and whitening. Application rate is adjusted for each concrete type: stamped concrete with deep texture requires more product per square foot than smooth broom-finish.
Final walkthrough verifies uniform coverage without drips, puddles, or missed areas. You receive written cure-time instructions (typically 24–48 hours for foot traffic, 72+ hours for vehicle traffic) and a maintenance schedule with recommended cleaning products.
We match sealer chemistry to your concrete type, location, and desired appearance
Absorb into the concrete and protect from within. Best for: driveways, pool decks, walkways, and any area where slip resistance is paramount.
Create a visible film on the surface. Best for: stamped concrete where maintaining the decorative pattern and color depth is the primary goal.
Our Recommendation: For most outdoor concrete in Northeast Florida, we recommend penetrating sealers for their longevity, breathability, and slip safety. For stamped concrete where maintaining the decorative appearance is paramount, high-quality acrylic sealers with non-slip additive provide the best visual result. We discuss both options during your estimate and recommend the best fit for your specific application.
Sealer type and exposure determine the schedule
1–3 Years
Acrylic sealers on stamped/colored concrete
3–5 Years
Penetrating sealers on driveways, walkways, decks
Annual
Professional cleaning between sealing cycles
This is the most common stamped concrete issue in Florida. It's usually caused by one of three things: sealer applied too thick, sealer applied to damp concrete, or the wrong sealer type for the climate. The white haze (called "blushing") occurs when moisture gets trapped under or within the sealer film. Correcting this requires removing the failed sealer before re-application — we include this in our process when needed.
Penetrating sealers don't affect surface texture at all — zero slip risk increase. Film-forming sealers (acrylic) can become slippery when wet, which is why we add professional non-slip aggregate to any film-forming sealer used around pools. We always prioritize safety around water.
Yes. In fact, older concrete often shows the most dramatic improvement. Years of accumulated staining and weathering are addressed during cleaning, and sealing protects the freshly cleaned surface going forward. The only limitation: if the concrete has severe structural damage (deep cracks, heaving, significant spalling), those issues should be repaired before sealing.
New concrete needs to cure before sealing — typically a minimum of 28 days, though some products require longer. The concrete must reach its target hardness and release most of its initial moisture before any sealer is applied. We can advise on timing based on your specific pour and Florida's climate conditions.
The core process is the same, but the sealer selection may differ. Driveways face vehicle traffic, oil exposure, and tire abrasion — they benefit from harder, more abrasion-resistant formulas. Patios face food stains, furniture scuffs, and aesthetic priorities — here, color enhancement and stain resistance may take priority over abrasion resistance. We recommend the right product for each area.
Tell us about your concrete surfaces and we'll schedule an on-site assessment.
Or call (904) 466-1622 to speak with us directly.
The Gold Standard, Every Time.
First Coast Property Experts · Licensed · Insured · Background-Checked · Locally Owned
