Sealing Concrete

Concrete Sealer Protects and Preserves

Introduction:

Sealing concrete is an excellent way to protect raw concrete from weathering and aging. Concrete is a low cost, durable, and versatile building material but it needs treatment to prevent damage from water and frost.

Because concrete is extremely porous, water penetration will critically weaken it by re-dissolving the dried alkaline lime that is part of the concrete mixture. The water will gradually damage the integrity of the concrete by causing it to soften, crack, and flake. Applying a concrete sealer protects and preserves the concrete.

In areas where there is ice and bitter winters, the freeze and thaw action is the major cause of concrete damage, gradually eroding the surface and weakening its structural integrity. Water collects and gathers in small cracks and fissures in the concrete and expands as it freezes and turns into ice. These cracks slowly widen, eventually causing it to chip and flake, exposing a fresh surface that once again comes under attack in a never ending cycle.

Any exposed concrete will become unsightly due to its porosity. Any water soluble substance will permeate into the pores of the concrete causing it to stain, leaving a permanent discoloration. As an example, a rusty watering can or barbeque grill left on a concrete patio will stain it and the discoloration penetrates too deeply for it to be removed by a pressure washer or cleaning chemicals.

Concrete repair or replacing damaged concrete is a laborious and expensive task that can be costly in terms of materials and labor. Removing the old concrete is difficult, time consuming and will always weaken the remaining structure. Patching over old concrete with new concrete doesn’t work well at all.

Concrete sealant is an effective way to stop concrete deterioration from weathering and water damage. A water base solvent concrete sealer is very effective in preserving concrete. These concrete sealers are relatively inexpensive, easy to apply and form and effective barrier against the elements.

There are two main types of concrete sealer, ones that penetrate the concrete and concrete sealants that form a surface film. The non penetrating concrete sealants are a little cheaper but the protective barrier will wear away over time and is not recommended where there is heavy traffic. It is more cost effective to spend extra money and purchase a penetrating sealer which is much more resistant to physical damage.

Acrylic concrete sealers are the cheapest option. They form a barrier on the surface of the concrete. Acrylic resins are easy to apply and add shine to the concrete finish. The main disadvantage is that acrylic resins are soft and easily damaged causing them to deteriorate in one to five years.

The film formed by acrylic sealants is completely impervious, so the concrete must be completely dry before the sealant is applied and it is not suitable for concrete that allows water to penetrate from the opposite side. Acrylic and epoxy concrete sealants have a shiny and polished finish.

Epoxy concrete sealers provide an exceptionally strong and resilient finish and are perfect in areas that are subject to heavy use such as driveways and garage floors. Epoxy concrete sealant is expensive to buy and is completely impervious so the concrete must be thoroughly cleaned and completely dry before applying to prevent dirt / oil or trapped moisture from causing damage. A drawback to using epoxy sealants is that they generate toxic and flammable fumes. Care must be taken during the application process.

Concrete sealants are available in a wide variety of colors and textures either in a gloss or satin finish. A colored concrete sealer can make any concrete surface a beautiful work of art. They are commonly used on garage and basement floors and can be applied as a DIY project.

Building a Retaining Wall

Mixing Concrete and Mortar

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Polishing Concrete Floors

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