Concrete sealing: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering concrete sealing

Sealing is a repeat-business service, and customers stay with the pros who explain the surface and the reseal schedule clearly. Win the job by testing the slab first and telling the customer exactly what the sealer will and will not do.

What customers ask

  • Will the sealer change the look of my driveway or patio?
  • Will it stop oil stains and salt damage?
  • How long before my car can go back on the surface?
  • Will the sealer make the surface slippery?
  • How often do I need to reseal?
  • Can you remove the old sealer that is peeling?

How to win the job

  • On the first call, ask what the surface is used for, how old the concrete is and what sealer, if any, has been applied before.
  • On site, run a water bead test and a moisture check, then show the customer what the test found before you quote the product.
  • In the quote, name the sealer, the coats, the cure time and the reseal interval in one clear block, so the customer can compare it.
  • Bring samples of the sealer finishes on a board, showing wet and dry appearance, so the customer chooses the look with the facts.
  • Clean and degrease thoroughly, and say in the quote what the cleaning includes, since the bond depends on it.
  • Give a written cure and traffic schedule, and tell the customer what to avoid, such as early sealing or hot-weather application.

What to put on your profile

  • Before and after photos of sealed driveways, patios and garage floors, shot wet and dry
  • Sealer types you use, such as penetrating, film-forming and slip-resistant finishes
  • Surfaces you seal, including new slabs, stamped surfaces and pool decks
  • Your service area and any cleaning and stain treatment services you offer

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • Offer a reseal reminder at the correct interval so the surface stays protected
  • Recommend a cleaning schedule and products that will not strip the sealer
  • Mention repair of cracks or spalls only as information if you see damage that would let water in

Licenses and permits

Whether sealing counts as contractor work varies by place, so confirm how your state or local licensing agency applies its rules to your services. Check with your local building department if a permit ever applies, and keep your insurance current.

Questions

What do I do when the bead test shows the slab is too wet to seal?

Tell the customer the slab must dry before any sealer can bond, and schedule the seal for when the test passes. Record the test result and the new date in writing.

Should I put a warranty on the sealer?

Warranty the application, not the performance against stains, salt or wear, since those depend on the customer's care. Put the reseal schedule and the conditions in writing.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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