When it comes to cleaning and sealing your driveway before winter, the clock is ticking
By Mitch Allen
In addition to being a successful business owner, Pristine Clean founder Ken Wilson is also a family man who regularly serves as a volunteer coach for his sons’ flag football teams.
“When coaching, we try to teach the kids life lessons, like the importance of giving your best effort for the entire game,” Ken says. “Too often we see our favorite sports teams wait until the fourth quarter to really start playing their best. Instead, if they would have performed with that level of effort for the entire game, they might not be behind on the scoreboard.”
When it comes to cleaning and sealing concrete driveways before winter, Ken also has a lesson for me: It’s the fourth quarter.
“Well, I wouldn’t say it’s the fourth quarter, but I would say there are only a few second left in the third quarter,” Ken laughs. “It’s mid-October. If you want to protect your driveway this winter, we need to get it cleaned and sealed pretty soon. Even the high-quality, commercial-grade sealers we use should not be applied in cold temperatures. Call us now and let’s get this done before you put that Thanksgiving turkey in the oven.”
Your Concrete Is Worth Protecting
So why bother cleaning and sealing your driveway? The answer is simple. Protecting it is way cheaper than replacing it.
“The cost of concrete and labor have soared over the past few years,” Ken says. “The average driveway now costs over $12,000 to replace.”
Part of this high price is rooted in a longtime concrete shortage, which has also encouraged manufacturers to cut corners by delivering lower-quality concrete to contractors.
“That means today’s driveways are not the same quality as those poured many years ago,” Ken adds. “That also means they need extra protection from Northeast Ohio’s damaging freeze-thaw cycle to ensure a long life.”
Caution: Science Ahead
“Water can be damaging to concrete’s structure,” says Ken. “It penetrates into the molecules, then, when it freezes, it expands and takes up to nine percent more space, shattering your concrete. Our goal in sealing is to fill those molecular spaces so water cannot penetrate them, ensuring the integrity of your driveway, patio and walkways.”
Using high-tech walk-behind cleaning units, the highly trained techs at Pristine deep clean the concrete to clear it of dirt and contaminants. Then they apply a sealer made of silane-siloxane, which chemically reacts to create a hydrophobic barrier.
“Concrete is porous and the holes vary in size,” Ken explains. “We use this unique combination because silane fills the small spaces, and siloxane expands into the bigger spaces. Plus, after the application, our sealer will mitigate staining and protect your driveway and walkways against further contaminants, such as oils and road salt.”
In addition to concrete clean and seal services, Pristine Clean also power washes homes and decks and cleans roofs. If you haven’t had your home power washed this season, Ken says it’s still in your long-term best interest to eliminate built-up grime, algae and moss from the siding and roof before winter hits. And Pristine will tackle the job for one flat rate.
But hurry, it’s almost the fourth quarter.
Headquartered in Berea, Pristine Clean beautifies homes throughout Northeast Ohio. They are consistent winners of the Angie’s List Super Service Award and are A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau. Call 440-454-7041 to arrange for a free estimate, or visit PristineClean.com. All technicians are bonded, insured and certified by the Power Washers of North America.