Question 1

What is driveway sealing and what does it actually do?

Accepted Answer

Driveway sealing applies a protective coating to clean, dry paving. It soaks into the surface and forms a barrier that stops oil, fuel, leaf tannin and weather staining reaching the block itself, and it binds the kiln dried sand in the joints so weeds and ants have far less to exploit. The practical result is a drive that stays looking clean for years rather than months and sweeps clean instead of needing a scrub.

Question 2

What types of driveway sealing do you offer?

Accepted Answer

There are several, and the right one depends on the surface and the look you want. A wet look acrylic sealer gives the deepest colour and a light sheen, like paving just after rain. A matte or satin sealer protects with only a slight lift in colour. A penetrating impregnating sealer soaks in and leaves the appearance completely unchanged, which suits natural stone. A colour enhancing sealer restores block that has faded. Tarmac is resealed with a bitumen based restorer that recolours as it binds.

Question 3

What is the difference between a wet look and a matte sealer?

Accepted Answer

A wet look sealer sits as a film on the surface and gives a rich, glossy finish that darkens the paving noticeably. A matte sealer gives the same protection without the shine, so the drive looks like clean paving rather than polished paving. It comes down to taste. We will show you both on your own driveway before anything is applied so you can see the difference on your actual blocks rather than in a brochure.

Question 4

How long does driveway sealing last?

Accepted Answer

Typically three to five years depending on the sealer, the surface and how much traffic the drive takes. A wet look acrylic on a busy drive will need refreshing sooner than a penetrating sealer on a quiet one. Resealing is quicker and cheaper than the first application because the surface only needs a wash rather than a full deep clean and re sand.

Question 5

Can any driveway be sealed?

Accepted Answer

No, and we will tell you if yours is not a candidate. Paving that is failing, sinking, badly spalled or holding damp should not be sealed, because a sealer traps moisture underneath and makes the problem worse. Freshly laid block paving needs to weather for several months first. If your drive is not suitable we will say so rather than take the work.

Question 6

Does the driveway need cleaning before it is sealed?

Accepted Answer

Always. Sealing over dirt, moss or old staining locks it in permanently, which is the single most common way a sealing job goes wrong. The drive is cleaned, de weeded, re sanded and then left to dry fully before any sealer touches it. If we have just cleaned your drive we will usually come back on a separate dry day to seal it.

Question 7

How long does the driveway need to dry before sealing?

Accepted Answer

Usually a couple of dry days, longer in cold or damp weather. The surface and the joints both need to be genuinely dry, not just dry on top, because trapped moisture clouds the sealer and can cause it to fail. This is why sealing is generally booked as a separate visit rather than done the same afternoon as the clean.

Question 8

Will sealing stop weeds coming back?

Accepted Answer

It slows them down considerably rather than stopping them forever. Sealing binds the kiln dried sand in the joints so seeds cannot root into loose sand, which is where most driveway weeds start. Windblown seed can still settle on the surface, but it sweeps off easily instead of taking hold. Most customers find weeding drops from a regular chore to an occasional one.

Question 9

Is a sealed driveway slippery?

Accepted Answer

A wet look sealer can be very slightly slicker when wet, which is worth knowing if your drive slopes or you have elderly visitors. An anti slip additive can be mixed into the sealer to remove that concern entirely, and matte and penetrating sealers do not change the grip of the surface at all. We will raise it with you before choosing a product if your drive is on a slope.

Question 10

Can you seal a patio or path as well as a driveway?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The same range of sealers works on patios, paths, steps and courtyards, and natural stone such as Indian sandstone often benefits most because it is porous and stains easily. A penetrating sealer is usually the right choice on natural stone so the character of the stone is kept. We are happy to quote for a drive and patio together.

Question 11

How much does driveway sealing cost in Nottingham?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the size of the drive, the surface and the sealer you choose, so we quote per job rather than publishing a rate that would not fit your property. Sealing is priced separately from the clean so you can see exactly what the add on costs and decide either way. Quotes are free and there is no obligation.

Question 12

Do you seal tarmac driveways?

Accepted Answer

Yes, although tarmac uses a different product. Rather than a clear sealer, tarmac is treated with a bitumen based restorer and sealer that binds the loose aggregate back in and returns the colour to a deep, even black. That work is covered under our tarmac restoration service, and we will point you to whichever route suits your drive.

Driveway Sealing Across Nottingham

Driveway Sealing in Nottingham

Why it matters

Wet look finish

Matte and natural finishes

Joint stabilising

Stain resistance

Our method

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