Do I Seal a Sidewalk After Power Washing?

Patching Things Up

• After power-washing your sidewalk, you may be able to better notice cracks, chips and other imperfections on the surface. If there is dirt or grass in the cracks, aim the stream from the power washer directly into the crack to blast it all out. Buy a premixed concrete filler from your local hardware or home improvement store, and then follow the instructions on the packaging for filling in any imperfections.

Staining

• With all the dirt and debris blasted away and the imperfections filled in, now's the perfect time to add a stain to your sidewalk if you desire. If you do decide to stain, this makes sealing the sidewalk all the more important, since the sealer will prolong the life of the stain. You can use acrylic- or acid-based stains or concrete paint. Whichever you decide to use, apply it before you seal the sidewalk.

Drying

• Before you do anything to the sidewalk, whether it's staining, patching cracks or sealing, you always have to wait for it to dry after power washing. Working with a dry concrete surface is paramount to successfully completing all of these tasks. If you don't allow the surface to dry, all three compounds will have difficulty bonding to the concrete's surface.

Sealing

• Once you've power washed, made additional adjustments and allowed the sidewalk to dry completely, you're ready to apply a sealer. Since this is an outdoor surface, use a solvent-based acrylic sealer for best results. If you prefer a matte look over the shiny appearance of typical concrete sealers, apply a silicone-based sealer. Fill a tray with the sealer and paint it on with a roller. Apply two thin, even coats, and allow each coat to dry between applications.