The installer starts with a crack and porosity inspection. Marietta’s humid summers and occasional freeze-thaw cycles accelerate surface wear on unprotected concrete, and clay-heavy Cobb County soil retains moisture that can wick into unsealed slabs from below. Cracks are noted and addressed before sealing so water cannot enter through gaps the sealer cannot bridge.
Surface cleaning and prep follow the inspection. Pressure washing removes dirt, algae, and loose material so the sealer bonds to the concrete rather than to surface contamination. A porosity test, typically a water-drop absorption check, guides sealer selection. Highly porous slabs need a penetrating water-repellent sealer; denser surfaces may take a film-forming type.
The sealer is applied by roller or sprayer in even passes, with a second coat on porous surfaces once the first has tacked off. Mild spring and fall windows in Marietta are the practical sweet spots for application and curing. A water-beading check confirms coverage before the job is closed out, and you receive a written record of the sealer type applied and the recommended reapplication interval.