Concrete lasts for an incredibly long period of time, especially when it is properly treated soon after it has been mixed, poured, and cured. Protected by a concrete sealer, concrete can withstand the elements, freeze/thaw cycles, UV damage, abrasions, water damage, and the myriad forms of wear that accumulate over time. However, concrete sealers do not last indefinitely unless you have opted to use a penetrating sealer. As these sealers actually strengthen the concrete by changing its chemical make-up, penetrating sealers do not need to be reapplied.
Surface sealers, on the other hand, need periodic reapplication, though that will depend on your particular concrete project. Some, like epoxies, will last longer than others, like acrylics; water-based sealers will typically not last as long as solvent-based offerings. Before you can reapply a sealer, however, it is important that remove all the last vestiges of the old sealer in order to ensure maximum protection from the new application. As surface sealers bond to the surface of the concrete, the presence of old sealer can impede that adhesion process.
The easiest way to remove a concrete sealer is to begin by acid etching the surface of the concrete with muriatic acid. This process can be dangerous if you are unfamiliar with it; however, it is well within the ability of any ordinary homeowner, as long as the proper care is taken. To acid etch, you must first dilute the acid, which minimizes its potential danger. Then you must spray the concrete surface with the acid, scrubbing vigorously. Next, you have to neutralize the acid before washing down the concrete surface for a final time.
The acid etching process will remove the old concrete sealer completely from the concrete slab. In its place will stand a fresh slab of concrete ready for a new application of concrete sealer. Once the concrete has been acid etched, you need to let the slab dry completely before applying the new sealer. If the slab is wet, or if there is any sort of debris obstructing the surface, the new coat of sealer will not bond as well as it should, leaving your concrete open to potential problems. Once dry, you are now free to apply the new coat of concrete sealer, which should last you until you need to repeat the process all over again.
If you did not treat your concrete with a concrete sealer after it was installed and cured, it is a really good idea to do so as soon as you can. This website documents the benefits of concrete sealers, which are far from reputable. Concrete sealers enhance the protection, strength, and longevity of your concrete, helping them reach their full potential without problems and costly repairs. However, if you have not yet treated your concrete with a concrete sealer, it is important to properly prepare the concrete slabs before applying a sealer. Without proper preparation, the concrete sealer will not work as well as it could and should.
Concrete sealers come in two varieties: penetrating and surface. The penetrating sealers are made up of solutions that contain small particles of sealant that will penetrate past the surface of concrete to react chemically within the material. However, if the concrete is older and has not been treated with a sealer, the surface pores are likely clogged up with debris and various pieces of dirt that will block the sealer’s particles from penetrating into the concrete. Instead of protection, you will have a complete mess on your hands.
The same goes for surface sealers. These products are made up of solutions with large particles of sealant. Instead of penetrating past the surface, these sealers bond to the surface of the concrete substrate. However, if the concrete is dirty and has not been cleaned, then the concrete sealer will not bond to the surface of the concrete. It will instead bond to that dirt, if it bonds at all, leaving the concrete vulnerable to all kinds of potential problems.
In order to properly seal your concrete, then, you must clean the surface of the substrate before applying a concrete sealer of any variety. The easiest and most effective way to clean the concrete will vary depending on the condition of your concrete and whether it has been treated with chemical stains. However, if you want a general cleaning regimen, you should first sweep the floor to remove any surface detritus. Next, you should scrub the floor vigorously with a chemical cleaner, such as a trisodium phosphate (TSP). A product like that will help remove all dirt from the surface pores of your concrete, nicely preparing it for the application of a concrete sealer.
While the concrete sealer market is roughly divided into the two categories of penetrating versus surface sealers, how do you tell which surface sealer is right for your particular project. While there are not a lot of different types of surface sealers, it is important to be knowledgeable of the differences in order to choose the appropriate product.
Acrylic sealers are probably the most common type of sealer. Used for lightweight projects and surface touches, acrylic sealers are solutions comprised of large particles of acrylic sealant suspended in either water or some sort of solvent, depending on if you opt for a water- or solvent-based product. Once applied to the concrete surface, the large particles remain on the surface to be spread out evenly.
Acrylic sealers offer a general level of protection: nothing too comprehensive, but nothing to sneeze at either. An acrylic sealer is a great choice for decorative concrete that is more delicate that poured or stamped concrete, as well for surfaces that do not see a large amount of heavy traffic and risk of abrasions or spills. The better acrylic sealer products offer UV protection, slip resistance, and will resist the passage of water into the concrete. Instead of penetrating within the concrete to chemically react, an acrylic sealer will act more like a raincoat to block the entrance of water at the surface.
Epoxy sealers, on the other hand, are another extremely popular concrete surface sealer. These products are significantly stronger than acrylic sealers, featuring a high level of adhesion to the concrete substrate. Once applied to the substrate, epoxy sealers offer excellent wear and abrasion resistance, all while effectively protecting the surface of the concrete from extreme chemical spills.
Due to their inherent strength, especially compared to an acrylic sealer, epoxies are the sealer of choice for projects that do not require a penetrating sealer. As a surface sealer, their strength, reliability, and longevity cannot be beat. You will commonly find epoxy sealers in industrial warehouses, large retails stores, and even airports – all of these places feature a high level of traffic that can lead to disastrous wear. Epoxies, like acrylics, are surface-level concrete sealers that are the right choice for more in-depth projects requiring a more comprehensive level of protection, while acrylics are better for residential and lighter applications.
With the large amount of concrete sealers on the market today, its often confusing for the consumer, professional or not, to know which is the strongest product. With companies making all sorts of claims on their website, which is perfectly legal for them to do, it can be difficult to know which products are real, and which are just being manufactured to make a quick buck.
The best way to tell if a company is for real, aside from extensive reviews and a long-standing reputation, is for their products to undergo extensive testing. Testing for concrete sealers is not yet a uniform requirement – however, the companies that test their products have nothing to hide, which should make you feel comfortable purchasing and using their sealers on your concrete.
One of the most well known testing standards is ASTM International. ASTM has a wide range of testing fields, from concrete and concrete sealers to metals and plastics. When concrete sealers are independently tested they are put through a set of rigorous tests that will determine their effectiveness, especially compared to the claims of manufacturers. The sealers are tested in such areas as resistance to artificial weathering, bond strength, penetration, and flexibility, among many others. They essentially test every product that is sent to them by the manufacturer with a thoroughness designed to root out any pretenders. Manufacturers have to pay a significant amount of money for their products to be tested – a company would only do this if they are sure their product is legitimate and effective. Therefore, companies that have products that passed the ASTM standards should be trusted, giving you some peace of mind as you shop online.
Epoxies, urethanes, and polyaspartics are all very similar types of concrete sealers. They are all surface sealers, meant to be spread evenly over the surface of a concrete slab, protecting it from all sorts of damage without penetrating past the surface. They are all also typically two-component polymers (though there are one-component products out there), meaning they have to be mixed prior to application.
Epoxies, urethanes, and polyaspartics are best suited for high traffic areas, such as the floors of large retail stores, industrial complexes, warehouses, and airports. All of these are examples of buildings whose floors are at a high risk of chemical spillage, abrasion, and other types of potential damage. The three types of sealer are all extremely tough and durable, making them all great choices.
The biggest difference comes with their chemical compositions. Epoxies are a little stronger than urethanes and polyaspartics, making them great basecoats and standalone layers. They bond extremely well to rough concrete surfaces, and they have a wide variety of features making them great for bottom layers. Urethanes can be applied as standalone products, but they are not meant for surfaces that are as rough. Polyaspartics are simply a type of urethane, typically aliphatic urethanes. They provide the same level of protection, but they also have the added bonus of drying incredibly fast. This quality makes them well suited to projects in retail stores or buildings that need to be open and functioning the next day.
All three of the products are strong and similar, but they also all work best as part of an epoxy system. Epoxy systems are simply the combination of one or two epoxy basecoats, followed by a urethane or polyaspartic topcoat, depending on your particular project. You can even add some sort of decorative touch to the project, such as adding sand or paint chips after the epoxy basecoats but before the urethane or polyaspartic topcoat. When applying an epoxy system, you must wait for each layer to dry completely before adding additional layers. If you want the best, strongest, and longest lasting results, you should elect to use an epoxy floor system, as this will ensure your concrete remains visually and structurally sound for years to come.