Vinci-Quality

Although concrete is a solid matter, it is a porous material which means it absorbs liquids just like a sponge. Different liquid substances can seep into concrete from water to vehicle oil, greases and grime. Once the concrete has absorbed these liquids, it would be very hard to remove them. Sealing your concrete prevents liquid substances to penetrate its pores, ultimately prolonging the life of the concrete surface.

How do concrete sealers work as a protective barrier?

Cracking is one of the most common causes of customer complaints that concrete contractors deal with. Few homeowners are aware of the fact that new concrete normally cracks and there is no absolute guarantee against this. Nevertheless, while cracks cannot be entirely prevented, a professional concrete mason takes careful measures to minimise cracking.

Below are some of the common causes of concrete cracks that must be considered and the necessary preventive actions that should be taken.

There is excess water content in the concrete mix.

Concrete is used for many purposes. It is used for flooring, roofing, making statues, stairs, garden ornaments, etc. Most of them get exposed to extreme climates like heat and cold, wind and rain. Concrete gets damaged due to moisture intrusion, chemical intrusion, alkali silica reaction, etc. This causes damage to the concrete substance and its life gets shortened. To protect a concrete from these problems a sealer is applied, which are coatings applied to concrete to protect from corrosion. It reduces the porosity of concrete, preventing water and dirt from entering into the concrete. Sealers can block surface moisture that can transmit chemicals and water through the pores.

Sealers are mainly of two categories, topical sealers and the penetrating sealers. Topical sealers or film former sealers as they are called as they form a membrane, provide topical protection. They mostly give a glossy appearance to the concrete surface. Commonly used topic sealers are acrylic resins which are cheap and easy to apply. Epoxy is another one similar to acrylic resin only thing is it is more durable, so used in floors of garage, factory, etc. Penetrating sealers are good for dry surfaces. It does not change appearance of the surface. They chemically react and form a bond with minerals in the concrete. Helps blocking moisture on the surface and increase the density and strength of concrete. They are almost permanent. Silanes form a good permanent sealer which is expensive but is very effective. Silicates could also be used which is comparatively cheaper. Silanes and silicates are of smaller molecules. Siliconates are penetrating sealers of larger molecules. Though a bit expensive it is considered the best for highly porous substances. The different varieties of sealers are at times used in combination to give a greater strength and protection.

If you have noticed a wet spot on your basement walls, may be its about time that you get your basement checked for hidden water leakages. Special kind of masonry sealers are used for patching up such marks left by water so as to cover up the damage caused as well as protect the walls from further damage.

This dampening is obviously caused due to water seepage. Irrespective of the construction quality water has this affinity to penetrate the concrete because water compounds react with the alkaline of the concrete material. This results in cracks, creases and crumbling apart of the walls phase by phase. Although, it is true that houses construction in certain regions are more prone to water damages compared to others. And they would need better waterproofing for their basements as well as roofs.

Once you have ensured that your basement is leaky enough, you are expected to start the repair work without any delay. You can try to patch up the leaks by utilizing a quality waterproof sealer. When you buy the sealer, it would contain specific instructions. Read the instructions carefully so that the product serves the purpose without any fail. The sealer is created by mixing it with prescribed amounts of water. Once the mixture is done, you should directly apply it on the damaged areas on the walls and the floor.

Exposed aggregate concrete is a style of decorative concrete where the aggregates of the cement, mainly pebbles and small stones, are exposed in contrast to the traditional smooth finish of concrete surfaces. Exposed aggregate concrete adds visual interest to a surface because of its random designs and diverse colors.

It is a cost-effective way to give old or new concrete an appealing look. Aside from looks and a reasonable price, exposed aggregate also features the main characteristic of concrete – strength. All these make this option widely popular. Because it’s very hard wearing, some common applications of exposed aggregate concrete are public areas including footpaths and traffic areas such as driveways, sidewalks, patios, plazas or pool decks. It can also be used on vertical applications such as decorative walls and building facades.

Aside from the fact that it is durable against heavy traffic and oftentimes cheaper than other decorative concrete techniques, here are more reasons why exposed aggregate concrete is popular:
It has practically limitless texture and color options allowing a customized look. With the exception of sealing the finish and cleaning it occasionally, this option is very low maintenance.
Its rugged surface poses less of a slipping hazard than brushed concrete.
It is resistant to harsh climate conditions.
Fewer tools or additional materials are needed in this method than other options.
This method is easier to learn and master than other decorative concrete techniques.
This technique has long been used since the early 20th century but it continues to be popular today with contractors discovering even more creative ways of using it. The two most common ways of achieving exposed aggregate concrete are: