The concrete sealers that have left their mark on NZ’s urban centres

Like any building material, concrete is not infallible. Despite being a relatively resilient substance, it inevitably degrades over time: it’s porous, so it readily absorbs liquids — and so the single biggest impact on any exterior concrete product will be the weather.

Rain is the primary culprit, but oil, salt, fertiliser and other household chemicals can discolour and damage hardscape surfaces if it hasn’t been properly treated. The solution, of course, is to seal the surface — a process which ensures that the material is substantially easier to clean and maintain, while also providing significantly longer life.

It’s difficult to overstate the significance of sealer in regards to the usable life of concrete and tiles, says Tony Haeata, co-director of The Sealer Guy, one of New Zealand’s premier suppliers and installers of hardscape sealers.

“The surface that is there on day one can look dramatically different 12 months later if it's not treated,” says Tony. “It's an important part of the process if you’re after longevity. Some people skip it because of the extra cost if they haven’t factored it into their budget. But if you’re in it for the long haul, it’s a must.”

As a company, The Sealer Guy is as niche as they get: they focus on one thing: delivering on the architect's desired outcomes with its product. Their expertise in sealers stretches back to the 90s, and this experience includes acid washing, sealing, anti-slip treatment, jointing and grouting.

“95% of our business comes from referrals or repeat customers both commercially and residentially,” he says. “And while what we do is not particularly complicated at face value, it is easy to end up with costly remedial work.”

Specialising primarily on large commercial projects and public spaces, this expertise is evident when looking at the company’s portfolio of work and track record: The Sealer Guy has cleaned and sealed concrete on streets, parks and other public areas in “almost every big town or city in New Zealand” — from Kaitaia to Bluff.

“Our newest water-based sealer has just been selected for a large scale ‘renovation’ of Queenstown,” says Tony.

The company has several different types of sealers, but the one being used on the Queenstown project will be the M.I.S. Eco Duo, a water based product which has a dual purpose as both a densifier and a sealer — combining what was traditionally two different functionalities.

The product penetrates, cures and seals all cementitious applications and protects stone while maintaining the natural appearance. 

It also eliminates dusting and improves abrasion resistance, reducing moisture permeability and protects against damage from oils, grease, water and other substrates on masonry and stone surfaces. And, especially relevant to city streets, the protective barrier it forms on footpaths and other public spaces allows for easy removal of chewing gum.

And given its water-based properties, it is considerably more environmentally friendly than other sealing solutions: it’s non-toxic, odourless and permanent. 

But, Tony stresses, despite The Sealer Guys’ products being particularly well-suited and thoroughly utilised in commercial or public spaces, it’s also a popular product in high-end residential properties.

“Of course we are often involved in sealing on new builds,” says Tony, “but often we’re brought in periodically just to keep the surface maintained and the property looking immaculate.

“Because regardless of the surface, whether it’s traffic, leaves, weather — all of these will leave a mark. So it’s important to keep it maintained and sealed.”

Learn more about The Sealer Guy and its offerings.