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?

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.

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.

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.