Concrete Driveway Sealing in Thornton, CO
We clean and seal concrete driveways in Thornton, Colorado, to help keep water and melted snow out.
- Quotes in writing
- 18 areas covered
Thornton Concrete Driveway seals concrete driveways for homes across Thornton. We look at your driveway first, tell you if anything needs fixing before it is sealed, and give you a written quote before we start.
Why we seal concrete driveways
The City of Thornton says, about its own asphalt streets, that unsealed cracks let water get into the pavement from the surface, which in time leads to potholes and more damage. It calls water getting in the number one enemy of pavement. We seal concrete driveways to slow that water down.
The Federal Highway Administration says concerns have been raised about the harm some de-icers can do to concrete, most of all magnesium chloride and calcium chloride.
What sealer we use
We use a clear sealer that soaks into the top of the concrete instead of sitting on it as a shiny coat, so the driveway keeps the look it has now.
The joints are the straight cut lines across your driveway, and we take extra care there. The Federal Highway Administration says that when the seal in a joint fails, de-icer and water get into the joint and soak the concrete around it. It also says research suggests some penetrating sealers, put right on the joints, may give them a barrier against de-icers. Testing is still going on to see how well that works, it says.
How we seal a driveway
We start by cleaning off dirt, oil and loose bits so the sealer can soak in. Next we fill any open cracks, and our concrete driveway repair page covers that work. Then we wait for the concrete to dry, roll or spray the sealer on in an even coat, and keep cars off it until it has set.
We stop our wash water and spare sealer from running into the gutter. The City of Thornton says runoff picks up oil, grease, litter and chemicals as it flows over the ground and carries them to creeks like Big Dry Creek without treatment, and all of them flow to the South Platte River. The city also says it is unlawful to put anything into its storm drains that is not just stormwater, and it lists wastes and residues from washing as pollutants.
What to get in writing
Ask for these in writing, whoever you hire:
- The name of the sealer, and whether it soaks in or sits on top.
- What cleaning and crack repair is included before sealing.
- How the wash water will be kept out of the storm drain.
- When you can walk on the driveway, and when you can park on it.
- Whether the apron by the street is part of the job, and who handles any permit for it.
Questions about concrete driveway sealing in Thornton
Is this the same as the black sealer I see on asphalt driveways?
No, we use a different product. The USGS says sealcoat is the black, thick liquid sprayed or painted on many asphalt parking lots, driveways and playgrounds to protect the asphalt and make it look better. We seal concrete with a clear sealer, not that black coat.
Why do some people avoid coal-tar sealcoat?
The USGS says that as coal-tar sealcoat ages, it wears into small particles that can be tracked into homes and end up in house dust. It says that for people living next to pavement sealed with it, swallowing that dust and soil raises the potential cancer risk, mostly for young children.
Can you seal the apron by the street too?
Yes, we can seal the apron, which is the strip of driveway between the street and your sidewalk. The City of Thornton says ROW permits are needed for any work in the city right-of-way that the construction permit for the property does not cover. The city only issues those permits to contractors with a Thornton contractor license, and we tell you on your quote if your apron needs one.
How much salt should I put on a sealed driveway?
Connecticut's Department of Energy & Environmental Protection says a 12-ounce coffee mug of salt is enough to treat 500 square feet of driveway, or about 10 sidewalk squares. It says light snow can be cleared with a hard-bristled brush or broom, and deeper snow with a shovel or a snowblower, so you need less salt.
Does the city have a view on de-icers?
The City of Thornton asks residents to use eco-friendly and pet-safe de-icers, and says salt can do damage when melting snow carries it onto your lawn or into the storm sewer.
What if part of my driveway has sunk or broken up?
We fix a sunken or broken section before we seal, since sealer won't level it. If most of the driveway has failed, our concrete driveway replacement page covers breaking out and pouring the full driveway.
Get a quote for concrete driveway sealing
Call us, or send the quote form with your ZIP code and a note about your driveway. We'll look at it, go through the options with you, and give you a written quote. To see the other work we do, go to the Thornton Concrete Driveway home page.
Ready to talk about your concrete driveway job?
Send the quote form with your ZIP code and what you need. We will get back to you with a written quote.