How do concrete sealers work as a protective barrier?

A concrete sealer changes the qualities of the concrete’s surface so that when water comes into contact with it, the water molecules form tiny blobs on the surface instead of penetrating it. Then, the water droplets just roll away from the surface. Sealing gives concrete the same protection against oils and grease so even these normally hard-to-remove stains become easy to clean. It also protects against de-icing salts so sealing is especially important on exterior concrete surfaces that go through freeze-thaw cycles. It also eliminates the problem of mildew penetrating the cement, which can leave black stains on the surface over time.

How does it affect the concrete’s appearance?

Sealers usually impart sheen to concrete surfaces drawing out the rich colours of decorative concrete. Any decorative concrete finish will look much better when sealed. Exposed aggregate concrete will definitely benefit from sealing because it enhances the beauty of the decorative aggregates (i.e. pebbles and small stones) in the concrete. A tinted sealer can be applied to a plain gray slab or decorative concrete to add colour. Regular application of a quality concrete sealer will make your concrete more resistant to fading and wear.

How often should concrete sealing be done?

There is no exact rule to this because several factors are involved, mainly the type and quality of the product you used, the location of the area and the conditions the concrete is exposed to. A sealer, depending on the exact product, may last from 1 to 3 years.

Basically, you should seal your concrete as soon as you notice the coating is starting to wear away. You should also reseal coloured concrete as soon as you see the need for it because delaying the work may result to a slight fading of colour.

You should consider traffic and weather factors. Naturally, concrete surfaces that get a lot of vehicle traffic and is exposed to sunlight will wear faster than, say, a covered concrete area with moderate foot traffic. This is why concrete driveways are normally sealed more frequently than patios or sidewalks.

Recommendations: Seal concrete driveways once a year, ideally during fall to prepare it for winter conditions. It is ideal to re-apply clear seal on coloured concrete that get heavy traffic or is exposed to harsh winter conditions every 1 to 2 years. Seal other exterior concrete surfaces (plain or coloured) that do not get vehicle traffic every 2 to 3 years. For interior concrete floors, it’s okay to seal them once but apply wax coating periodically. With periodic concrete sealing, the next coatings only need quick and thin applications.

So, should you seal concrete?

While the benefits of sealing are obvious here, some people still do not seal their concrete. Some say it’s not necessary if you live in a place that has a mild climate or don’t get much rain. But the truth is sealing improves the overall appearance and life of all types of concrete regardless of the location. So, if you want to protect your investment, there’s no question to it – you should seal your concrete.

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.

How to use a sealer? First of all, decide on the amount of sealer required based on the length and width of the surface that is to be sealed, the porosity of the concrete and also the type of sealant being used. The surface needs to be cleaned before applying any sealant. Check whether there is any grease, dirt or mildew. If so remove them. This is to ensure that the sealer penetrates the concrete. This can be done by wetting the surface which requires sealing and apply some cleaning stuff to remove the dir or grease if any. Power washer can be used to remove the debris properly. Dry the concrete thoroughly before applying the sealer. Then apply the sealer to the surface and allow it to dry.

The type of sealer to be applied depends on two things, the surface appearance and the maintenance. For a shining and glossy surface use the film former sealer otherwise the penetrating sealer. Depending on the maintenance required use the sealer that suits you. Sealers protect and strengthen the concrete works.

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.

The aforementioned procedure is self-explanatory. However, there are certain conditions that needs due consideration. Before laying the sealer paste, you should make sure that the affected area is thoroughly cleaned. Also, do not keep the paste unused for more than 10 minutes. The sealer is made of a fast acting agent that starts reacting with air soon after it is mixed with water. So, to get the best results, you should apply the sealer as soon as you create the mixture. The sealer works well if its water consistency levels are perfect. When the mixture is exposed to air for a long time, its water consistency reduces.

If you have to repair concrete walls, you can easily do so by filing the holes and cracks with a good quality concrete sealer. If the hole is wide, you may need to fill it with right kind of concrete before applying the sealer.

Another aspect that needs your attention relates to the tools used for applying the sealer. In order to achieve a thorough waterproof sealing, you should use the right tools. You will get the right kind of tools at your nearby hardware store. Alternatively, you can order them online. You would also need tools like concrete trowel and a wired brush.

Basically there are two types of sealers – Film foaming sealer and Penetrate. The kind of sealer to be used depends on the nature of your need. If you want a glossy finish opt for a film forming sealer. But if you want a matte finish, go for Penetrate types.