Safety

The key consideration when sealing a driveway/walkway is safety. You want the surface to be slip resistant once the sealer is dry. Most sealers designed for use on driveways/walkways will meet federal standards for slip resistance when the surface is dry. But this doesn’t account for how slippery the sealed surface is when wet.

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.

Slip resistant additives should be used for any film forming sealers. 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.

*NOTE* All information contained on this page also applies to all forms of horizontal concrete surfaces ranging from patios to porches, steps, entryways, pool areas, sidewalks, pavers, garage floors, warehouse floors, indoor concrete floors, event centers, etc.