Why outdoor concrete wears out here
Concrete is a hard sponge. Around New Orleans it gets heavy rain, standing water, and long damp stretches, and the surface pays for it first.
Water that sits
Flat yards and slow drainage mean slabs stay wet longer. Water that soaks in carries salts up as it dries — the white bloom called efflorescence — and slowly weakens the top layer.
Mildew and algae
South Louisiana has a hot, humid climate, and humidity can matter twice for a coating: moisture in the slab, and condensation on a cool slab during application. Shaded patios and north-facing walks turn green and black. Cleaning removes it; a sealer slows it coming back.
Sun on the open slabs
Driveways and pool decks take full sun. Film-forming sealers can wear, peel, or whiten there faster than penetrating ones.
Seal it or resurface it? Read the slab first
- Seal if the surface is intact — color faded, a few hairline cracks, stains that clean up, water darkening it quickly.
- Resurface if the top is flaking or scaling, aggregate is showing, pits are spreading, or old patches are failing.
- Neither yet if sections have sunk, heaved, or are breaking apart. That is a slab or soil problem; a coating on top will crack with it.
What a sealing job includes
- Assessment. Is it a sealing candidate, and which sealer fits the look you want?
- Deep clean. Pressure washing, degreasing, mildew treatment, and time to dry.
- Crack and joint repair. Filled before sealing, so the sealer does not just coat the gap.
- Sealer application. By sprayer or roller, at the rate the product calls for.
- Cure. Off-limits for the time on the label — longer before cars than before feet.
What a resurfacing job includes
- Find out why the surface failed, so the overlay does not fail the same way.
- Mechanical prep to sound concrete — grinding or blasting, not just washing.
- Repairs and a bond coat so the overlay grips the old slab.
- The overlay, troweled or sprayed, with a broom, swirl, or knockdown texture for grip.
- Seal the new surface once it has cured.
Sealer types and the look each gives
| Sealer | How it works | How it looks |
|---|---|---|
| Penetrating (silane / siloxane) | Soaks in and repels water from inside the concrete | Invisible; the slab looks unsealed |
| Acrylic, film-forming | Sits on top as a thin film | Darkens color, satin to glossy, can be slick when wet |
| Urethane or epoxy sealer | Thicker, harder film | Glossy; mostly for interiors and garages |
What sealing and resurfacing cost
$2–$6 per square foot for sealing; resurfacing quoted by condition.
| Project | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Penetrating sealer on sound concrete | $2–$4 / sq ft |
| Decorative or film-forming sealer | $3–$6 / sq ft |
| Patio or driveway resurfacing | $4–$9 / sq ft |
| Crack and spall repair | quoted after assessment |
Sealing protects concrete that is still in good shape; resurfacing costs more because it rebuilds the wearing surface.
Typical installed ranges for the Gulf South metro — planning numbers, not quotes and not our prices. NOLA Concrete Coatings does not price or perform work; the real number comes from the installer after a look at the slab.
If the slab is a garage floor and you want more than protection, a full garage floor coating is the next step up.
Ask for it in writing
A written quote worth comparing lists four things as separate lines: prep, repair, the coating system, and the finish.
- 1PrepThe method (diamond grinding or shot blasting), the moisture test, and any moisture-tolerant primer that test calls for.
- 2RepairCrack and spall repair, removal of an old coating or sealer, and whether that number is fixed or an allowance the crew settles once the floor is opened up.
- 3Coating systemThe chemistry, the number of coats, and the total mil thickness, not just a product name.
- 4FinishSolid color, flake, or metallic; the topcoat; and the return-to-service windows for foot traffic and for vehicles.
Sealing and resurfacing questions
How much does concrete sealing cost in New Orleans?
Sealing usually runs $2 to $6 per square foot: $2 to $4 for a penetrating sealer on sound concrete and $3 to $6 for a decorative or film-forming one. Resurfacing runs $4 to $9 per square foot.
What is the difference between sealing and resurfacing?
Sealing protects concrete that is still in good shape. Resurfacing rebuilds the top layer of concrete that is scaling, pitted, or stained beyond cleaning, with a bonded cement overlay — which is then usually sealed.
How often does outdoor concrete need resealing?
It depends on the sealer and the exposure. Penetrating sealers generally last longer than thin acrylic films; ask the installer for the product's own recoat guidance and what a reseal visit would include.
Will sealing fix cracks in my driveway?
No. Sealing slows water getting in. Cracks are filled as a separate repair, and a crack that keeps moving points to something under the slab that no sealer will fix.
Is there a best time of year to seal?
A dry stretch with mild temperatures, after the slab has had a couple of days without rain. Most sealers need the concrete dry and no rain for some hours after application — the product label sets the numbers.
Serving New Orleans and the surrounding metro, including Metairie, Kenner, Gretna, Marrero, Harvey, Chalmette, Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, and LaPlace.