What is concrete sealer?

Back in the old days, concrete was cured in order to seal it. Today concrete sealers come in many different types and colors, which are easily applied to the concrete to seal it against the elements. Sealers trap moisture which keeps the surface from drying too fast. If it does dry too fast the result is a weak bond between the concrete and sealer and will lead to scaling.

Sealers are known for strength and durability, but it does not last forever. Maintenance is required to increase the lifespan of your concrete and its look. The biggest benefit of sealers is stain prevention. It prevents those ugly oil stains on driveways or garage floors, rust stains from aging furniture and BBQs, and mold stains. If you have decorative concrete in place, sealers will protect it and your pocket book from unsightly stains.

Types of sealers

There are many different types of sealers on the market. Be careful when purchasing and applying sealers, choose the appropriate type and follow all instructions to the letter. Never buy cheap sealers; you get what you pay for.

Sealers for Exterior Surfaces
For almost all exterior surfaces, patios, porches, driveways, sidewalks or garages, solvent-based acrylic concrete sealers are usually your best bet. These work well in residential areas and will provide protection against the elements, most chemical spills, and stains. They will also give the surface a shiny look, which is desirable in most cases, and can really enhance the colors of decorative concrete. Choose a sealer that has 25-30% solids. Also, make sure the label says “non-yellowing”. The biggest complaint about acrylic concrete sealers is some of the cheaper brands will actually turn an ugly yellow-brownish color. Important: I highly recommend going to a concrete/masonry supply store and spending a little more money rather than buying a cheap sealer from the home improvement store.

Sealers for Interior Surfaces
Acrylic concrete sealers are also the usual choice for interior floors. For homes that are finished or being lived in, I highly recommend using a water-based acrylic sealer. Solvent-based sealers give off alot of unpleasant and sometimes harmful odors which can really stink up the house and can be difficult to get rid of. Water-based acrylics, however, are almost odorless and much less toxic. Since you’re sealing indoors, you don’t need the durability that solvent-based acrylics provide because it doesn’t have to face the elements. Water-based acrylics will also create a glossy appearance which, again, is usually desirable. For unfinished houses, solvent-based or water-based acrylics will work just fine. Important: keeping a coat of wax on top of the sealer will prevent the need of resealing in the future.

Sealers for Deteriorating Surfaces
For surfaces that are showing signs of deterioration, such as scaling or spalling, penetrating concrete sealers are recommended. This type of sealer will work its way down into the pores and capillaries and fill them in with a cement-like material. This almost completely seals the concrete from water or any foreign substance penetrating from the surface or the underside. Penetrating sealers will actually strengthen the concrete itself and greatly reduce the rate of deterioration. Also important, penetrating sealers won’t leave a shine on the surface which makes them a good choice if a glossy appearance isn’t desirable.

Sealers for Decorative Concrete
Solvent-based acrylic sealers are the most suitable for decorative concrete finishes whether it’s stamped, colored, stained, etc. They can really bring out the colors and textures when applied. This is especially true of acid stained surfaces. The difference is almost night and day between sealed and unsealed acid stains. Acrylic sealers can restore the look of decorative concrete to almost new. Important- spend the extra money for proper sealing of decorative concrete. The concrete itself is expensive, and this is not where you want to save a bit of money.

Important- Remember there is no such thing as cold weather concrete sealer, if you live in a cold climate, you will undoubtedly have to re-seal every few years. It’s just the nature of concrete, not a personal reflection on you.

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Category: Home Management
Keywords: concrete crack repair,concrete joint repair,concrete spalling repairs