After pressure washing, sealing concrete significantly changes longevity and future maintenance.
Because concrete is a porous material, stains like oil leaks, grease, and sticky residue are easily absorbed.
But if you’re going to seal your driveway or patio, we highly suggest you pressure wash first.
Now, how long should you wait after pressure washing to seal?
Let’s go over it in greater detail.
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Hey there, I’m Cody.
A decade of residential and commercial pressure washing led me to start JCS Refresh. Now I can share my knowledge with folks like you.
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Quick Answer
The short answer is that you should wait at least 24 hours to seal concrete after pressure washing.
If the weather is sunny, 24 hours is usually enough time for concrete to dry, which is crucial.
In the event of gloomy weather, you should wait up to 48 hours.
If you’d like a guide on concrete cleaning, you can read our article on how to pressure wash concrete (the right way).
Frequently asked questions
Here are some of the most common questions when sealing concrete.
If you have a question that still needs to be answered here, please contact us, and someone from our team will get back to you.
What happens if you seal concrete too soon?
Sealing concrete too soon will cause large cracks that need to be fixed. In reality, this does more harm than good.
Is sealing concrete necessary?
Although sealing concrete isn’t required, it protects the surface from permanent stains and makes cleaning more manageable in the future.
How long does it take for driveway sealers to dry?
The driveway sealer will dry in about 24 hours, but it may take longer, depending on the temperature.
Can I put sealer on fresh concrete?
No, it is recommended that you wait at least 30 days before sealing new concrete.
How long does it take to seal a driveway?
A small driveway may take about 15 minutes to seal, while larger driveways may take longer.
If you’re interested in learning about driveway cleaning, we also made a guide on cleaning a driveway with a pressure washer that you can read next.
Will pressure washing remove concrete sealer?
Yes, given enough PSI from your pressure washer, it can remove the sealer.
Conclusion
The key to applying sealant to any concrete surface is to allow it to dry beforehand, as sealing it too soon will result in material damage.
If you have any questions about driveways or other exterior cleaning services, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Thanks for reading!
