Concrete Driveway Water Repellant

Posted in Outdoor Living Patios Construction How-To Stone and Concrete Waterproofing

art_61176_Spraying concrete driveway

 

 

Concrete is gaining in popularity as a building material for driveways. According to the National Association of Home Builders, 68% of new homes in 2006 had a concrete driveway installed. That is an increase from 60% in 2001. Concrete is a durable material that will give years of life. While it is basically man made rock, it will not last forever on its own.  Water and especially de-icing salts that are used in cold climates are able to damage driveways. Accurate records are not kept, but it is safe to assume that the vast majority of new driveways are not sealed from water penetration. A good concrete water repellent is needed to ensure your driveway is protected.

 

Types of Concrete Driveways

Concrete is a time honored way to make a driveway that lasts a long time. Decorative concrete that has been colored and textured to look like another material is gaining in popularity. However, most driveways and what this article will deal with is plain concrete that has a trowel or broom finish to it. These driveways are white to grey in color.

 

Damage from Water

Concrete is a porous material that naturally absorbs water. Any rain water will soak into the concrete and can cause spilling, pitting, or flaking. This is especially true for cold climates that experience a freeze and thaw cycle. Water gets into the concrete and then expands when it freezes. This expansion physically damages the concrete. Its most noticeable damage is the flaking of the top layer of concrete, which exposes the aggregate below.

 

Damage from De-icing Salt

An even larger danger is the chemical damage that occurs from de-icing salt use. The salt ions are carried by the melted ice water into the concrete. Inside the concrete the salt attacks not only the concrete itself, but also the steel reinforcing that is in the concrete.  This steel will quickly rust from the salt and lose its bond to the concrete. Once the bond is lost between the steel and concrete, the concrete is weakened and may experience a more pronounced amount of cracking.