“How to apply concrete sealer?” is a frequently asked question.

Well, applying the concrete sealer involves few steps. First, remove all the oil, grease, and strain from the concrete. Now you can open the concrete and apply a skinny coat, and wait to settle down. The next step is to apply the second coat then wait for it to dry before walking on concrete completely.

Step-By-Step Guide for Applying Concrete Sealer:

Concrete sealers protect your concrete from water, weather conditions, oil, and grease stains. It must be applied properly. Each step has its importance. Here are the steps for applying concrete sealers properly.

1. Remove all oil, grease, stains, dirt, and mud from the concrete
2. Strip any existing sealer from the surface
3. Open up the concrete with an engraving solution
4. Apply a skinny coat of sealer using a roller or sprayer
5. Wait for the first layer of sealer to dry
6. Apply a second coat in the other way
7. Allow the sealer to dry before walking or driving on your concrete completely

While many householders plan to seal their concrete, it is often trickier than you think. To make sure it’s done properly, hire a concrete contractor near you, or you can follow the above-mentioned steps.

Also Read: How to apply driveway sealant

Types

In past decades attempts to guard concrete have included sealers starting from wax to flaxseed oil. Today, top-quality concrete sealers can barricade to 99% of surface moisture. There are two main sealer categories: penetrating sealers (reactive) and topical sealers (coatings).

Topical Sealers

Topical Sealers can provide visual enhancement also as topical protection from stains and chemicals. They require a dry, clean surface during application to provide adhesion.

Topical sealers may alter the factor of friction, making the surface slippery when wet – a condition that will be remedied by adding anti-skid materials. Lifetime is usually 1-5 years, although high-end epoxy/urethane systems can last significantly longer.

Penetrating Sealers

Penetrating sealers are often applied to dry or damp surfaces and can be properly matched with substrate porosity to penetrate the surface and react effectively.

The reaction bonds active ingredients in the substrate, blocking surface wetness. Penetrating sealers generally don’t significantly modify substrate appearance or traction. The lifespan is usually 5 years or more.

When to Apply Concrete Seal?

When you apply sealer is also a matter of importance. Here are some guidelines:

• Allow new concrete to cure completely.
• Most sealers must be applied under dry surroundings. Applying to moist concrete could cause haziness or loss of adhesion
• Air temperatures should be 50°F during sealer application 

 

Preparing Concrete for Sealing

Surface preparation before applying a sealer to existing concrete is really important. All oil, grease, stains, dirt, and mud must be removed, or they’ll prevent the sealer from adhering properly. You can adopt this process of removing sealant from concrete before getting started.

You need to check if the sealer is being applied over a special brand of sealer. Almost all manufacturers advise removing all traces of previously used sealers since the products might not be compatible. 

Choosing the Proper Concrete Sealer

Choosing a concrete sealer isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. There is a good sort of sealers to choose from. Some work well on external applications, while others are intended for indoor use. Sealers could also be chemical-based or water-based.

The ultimate appearance, like a natural or high-gloss finish, should be factored in. The kind of concrete project also dictates whether a penetrating sealer or a surface sealer is the best choice.

High-traffic commercial areas would require a special finish than a decorative patio or a concrete countertop. Indoor concrete flooring will have different requirements for appearance and durability than an industrial floor or a stamped concrete walkway.

Surface sealers can form a protective layer on the concrete surface or block the pores to stop water absorption. On the opposite hand, Penetrating sealers absorb into the concrete and are an excellent option for exterior surfaces that will be suffering from the weather. 

How Many Coats of Concrete Sealer?

The most important rule to recollect is that less is more. It is best to use two thin coats, ensuring the sealer doesn’t puddle or form uneven, thick areas. When applying the second coat of sealer, apply it within the other way (or perpendicular) to the primary coat to ensure even coverage. Wait to use the second coat of sealer for the time suggested by the manufacturer.

How Long Will, the Concrete Sealer, Takes to Dry?

How soon a sealer is often recoated or opened to traffic could also be critical on fast-track projects. Acrylic sealers dry the fastest, within 25 minutes to an hour after application, and are prepared for light traffic as soon as 12 hours after the ultimate coat, counting on air temperature, humidity levels, and other environmental conditions. Polyurethanes and epoxies typically require longer curing times of a minimum of 24 hours.

How Long Will Concrete Sealer Last?

You can get similar performance by using a urethane or epoxy system, which generally lasts 6 to 10 years depending on traffic exposure.

Is the Product Safe to Use Indoors?

When working indoors, it’s always safer to use a water-based instead of a solvent-based product, especially if the world cannot be ventilated. Solvent-based sealers are very flammable, and therefore the fumes they emit are often harmful to breathe.

Advantages of Concrete Sealing

The main benefit of concrete sealing is to increase the life of your concrete and keep it looking outstanding. Here are some other great benefits:

• Increases the concretes longevity
• Improves appearance 
• Reduces flaking and cracking
• Protection for oil spills and other stains
• Mold and mildew resistant
• Adds to your home of businesses value
• It is inexpensive and easy to do

Maintenance

Keep the surface free from debris by sweeping it with a brush or leaf blower or rinsing it with a pipe to get rid of stubborn dirt, like tire marks, leaf stains, and grease spots.

Although water can remove dirt from concrete, cleaning chemicals followed by power washing and scrubbing could also be needed to remove tough stains. 

Conclusion

Remember that the kinds of sealers you apply determines the time of reapplication. Topical sealers last longer than decorative sealers; hence its reapplication will come sooner. Consider sealing your concrete today for it to serve you for several years.