Concrete Floor Sealers 101

Concrete is a very porous material. Leaving it unsealed makes it vulnerable to damaging elements such as water, vapor, gas, dirt, and more. If any of these would seep into the slab, the concrete could weaken and disintegrate. If you want your concrete floors to stay appealing and functional, sealing it is a necessity. To achieve success, you must first know which of the many concrete sealers in the world would be appropriate for your floor.

Two Types of Concrete Sealers

• Topical

When we say topical, it means it is applied at the top of the concrete slab and stays there. Topical sealers need to be applied on dry, well-cleaned surfaces to increase proper adhesion. These are great for adding shine and protection on concrete floors. This is more ideal for interior floors where damaging elements are few. It would be ideal to reseal every year or so to maintain protection and shine.

• Penetrating

This type of sealer penetrate past the surface and into the slab. This requires a professional install because the sealer must be appropriate for the substrate porosity of your specific floor. It should be match for the sealer to penetrate the slab efficiently. Because it embeds itself deep into the slab, this usually lasts about 5 years or more.

Common Concrete Sealers Used Today

• Acrylic

This type of concrete sealing agent is the easiest and most affordable today. It comes in water and solvent-based types and can be used on both indoor and outdoor surfaces to enhance shine and prevent scuffs and ugly stains. Although it has a thin consistency, it is durable enough to protect the slab from moisture absorption. However, it is also its thinness that makes it wear out easily.

• Epoxy

Epoxy is a two-part material that is highly durable and resistant to most types of damage. This, however, is best used indoors because it has a high sensitivity to UV rays, causing it to discolor to a yellowish hue. This is often used on garage, basement, and commercial floors.

• Polyurethane

Polyurethane sealers are applied twice as thick as an acrylic type. It provides more protection and is resistant to abrasion and impact. This can be used both indoors and out and it also comes in both water-based and solvent-based form. This needs to be installed on dry concrete surfaces. Any presence of water or moisture will make it adhere poorly.

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