Driveway Sealing Safety

Safety
The key consideration when sealing a driveway is safety. You want the surface to be slip resistant once the sealer is dry. Most sealers designed for use on driveways will meet federal standards for slip resistance (also known as the coefficient of friction) when the surface is dry. But this doesn't account for how slippery the sealed surface is when wet.

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Slipperiness is determined by the amount of texture in the concrete, combined with the thickness of the sealer. Typically, the more sealer resin that's on the surface and the shinier the surface is, the greater the potential for a slippery surface. For example, a smooth concrete surface with a thick "wet-look" film-forming sealer (see Concrete Sealer Types) will be very slippery when wet, while a stamped or heavily broom-finished concrete surface with that same wet-look sealer will not be as slippery. If you use a lower-gloss or thinner sealer, the surface will be even less slippery. Another option is to add a grit or anti-skid additive directly to a film-forming sealer as it's applied. There are several different types, ranging from clear polymer or plastic grit to white silica sand (see Making Concrete Slip Resistant). These additives help, but only to a certain point.

For the ultimate in safety, consider using a penetrating waterproofing sealer rather than a film-forming product. A penetrating sealer produces no gloss and will not contribute to the slipperiness of the concrete surface. Always test the sealer in a small, inconspicuous area on your driveway, in both dry and wet conditions, to ensure that it meets your safety needs.

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