Concrete sealer experts chime in please

tom

Ok, to make a really long story short. 4 years ago, built a new house, the concrete contractor sealed the concrete. 4 winters, no problems, no spaling etc. Last October I figured I'd better seal it again as it looked like water was seeping in. I tried finding the contractor who went out of business. So I found locally (not at a home store) a heavy duty concrete sealer, not water based, and I put that on.
So now, the driveway is terrible, spaling all over and it looks like the sealer has actually worn away. The place I bought it says 'well it's been a really bad winter."  I'm thinking, ok, but no damage in 4 years and now this ???

So, if you know anything I should know, how to fix it, what to yell at this guy for or whatever, please let me know.Thanks,
Frank

My father, who has been a concrete engineer and worked for a concrete form company for over 25 years, said that you may have actually sealed moisture in the concrete.  It wasn't able to evaporate and this may have caused your spalling problem.

I have some stuff in the truck that will strip it off I'd bet.  I will get you the name and where you can purchase it in the morning.  It will be a messy, messy, messy job but I strip anything from marble/stone floors and the sealer from the grout in tile floors with it.  I haven't seen anything it does not take off stone or cement yet.  As far as sealing the cement what do you want for a look when it is finished?  Natural, satin or gloss finish?  How long do you want it to last?  There is stuff out there guarenteed 10+ years but it is $3.00/sq.ft.  You can spend $4.00/gallon to $90.00/gallon to cover 400 sq. ft.  Obviously you get what you pay for too. Mikey
. They have a forum dedicated to flooring. Lots and lots of great info to be found.