As low-tech as it gets, spraying the concrete off with the hose is a quick, inexpensive method. But it simply doesn't work. Concrete is a porous surface. When you spray the concrete with the hose, the dirt simply moves from one area of concrete to another, resettling back into the holes in the concrete itself. While some of the surface dirt may have been removed, the water actually helps the particles break down and sink deeper below the surface.

A "power-wash" is appropriate, and can be effective, in limited applications. With the proper pre-treating chemicals, high-pressure and high-temperature water can loosen and dislodge tough stains in hard to reach areas and concrete stairs. But water injected into porous concrete needs to dry thoroughly before sealants can be applied.

Now try to seal your concrete. First off, you need to wait for the concrete to dry. That can take up to 48 hours. When the concrete does dry, the sealant cannot penetrate into the concrete because it's still clogged with dirt and sediment (not only from the washing process described above, but also because it needed to sit out for up to two days and collect more dirt). It's a recipe for failure.

The sealant becomes a crusty, brittle layer on top of the concrete, prone to damage from above (new dirt and traffic) and below (from ground water moisture pressure).

As you can tell, these aren't really options if you want your investment to last. ConcreteScience© has a better answer. A system so unique, it is the only one like it anywhere in the world. Click here to learn more.