Contents
Once your concrete driveway is in place, make an extra investment by purchasing a quality concrete sealer to help extend the life of your driveway surface by as much as double. Although concrete is a versatile and durable surface that’s perfect for applications such as driveways, it has one major Achilles heel: a porous surface that absorbs liquids.
This can eventually mar the appearance of the driveway in addition to hastening the deterioration of the concrete overall. Concrete driveways and other surfaces using concrete such as garage and basement floors are designed to take a lot of traffic, both automotive as well as pedestrian.
You don’t want to lose the investment of time and money you’ve put into any concrete construction by having to redo the area every several years because of damage, cracking, or other problems that could simply have been avoided by the addition of concrete sealers.
5 reasons to use sealer
1. The application of a concrete sealer will actually strengthen and add protection to any concrete surface. They serve to create a water-proof film over the surface of the concrete or act as an effective seal for the pores of the concrete to prevent them from absorbing any liquids spilled onto their surface.
2. Concrete sealers can also do a lot more than simply protect any exposed concrete surface. By applying a concrete sealer to concrete driveways or garage and basement floors, you eliminate the problem of moisture seepage that tends to weaken the concrete and damage its appearance.
3. Concrete sealers can also help prevent the appearance of white powder, flaking, and scaling on the surface as well as reduce the occurrence of unsightly cracking and splitting of the concrete surface.
4. Concrete sealers will also help to strengthen the concrete against pitting and crumbling and provides an effective barrier against the formation of molds and mildew within the concrete which often leads to odor problems particularly if the concrete is located in an enclosed space.
5. Driveways in particular are exposed to all sorts of liquids and chemicals such as oil drips and de-icing salts. Extremes in temperature can also create a freeze and thaw pattern that can weaken concrete that has not been treated with a sealer.
Every exposed concrete surface can benefit from an application of concrete sealers. That’s why there are few tips for buying and applying concrete sealers following here so anyone can do a good job and get the best product.
8 how to seal concrete tips
When shopping for a concrete sealer, there are several types to consider depending upon whether it will be applied outdoors or indoors and how much penetration protection you need. Water-based epoxy sealers, epoxy penetrating sealers, and urethane sealers each have decided advantages depending upon your needs.
The procedure involved with how to seal concrete is relatively simple in itself: wash the surface thoroughly and roll on the sealant. Perhaps you were unaware, however, that the experts of the trade have a few tricks up the sleeve that help them to be masters in their field. Here are just a few of the best tips to help your sealing experience to go better than planned.
Tips for purchasing and applying sealer
Tip 1: Take note of the label on the can of the product as well as the technical data sheet that you should be able to ask for if it is not already with the cans of sealant. What you are looking for are terms such as “breathability,” “waterproofing,” “non-yellowing,” “grease resistant,” and the like.
Tip 2: While you are in the area, ask one of the store employees or sealant experts which brand they recommend. They should be able to tell you which brand they have sold the most of and which one they have received the least number of calls about as well. Take these things into consideration when purchasing your sealer for the concrete.
Tip 3: In addition to looking for certain characteristics of the sealant, you also want to be sure that you are differentiating between the kinds of sealants that are available. There are water-based sealants as well as solvent-based products.
Tip 4: They each do different things; while one may enhance coloring and give the surface a beautiful shine, others may function as water-repellants and internal sealers. Know what you want before heading to the store.
Once you have the sealant you want, you can now begin applying it to the concrete (after washing the surface, of course). Use the following tips to get a professional-looking job done yourself.
Tip 5: Of course, ensure that the surface is dry; if you have washed it, wait twenty-four hours before applying the sealer. Also, keep a close eye out for rain or other weather that may bring moisture to the surface.
Tip 6: Most sealing resins are thick enough to be rolled on with a long-handled paint roller. However, if your sealer is thin enough, you may be able to spray it on with a hand-held sprayer. Check your manufacturer’s instructions to be sure you are applying it the correct way.
Tip 7: If there are other things around the area that will be sealed, cover them with a draped cloth or other covering so that you do not get any sealer on anything else. This would include plants and foliage, lawns, and other surfaces such as a tile floor or the like. In addition, use painter’s tape to protect the house siding or trim shingles, or anything else that might be around your concrete pad.
Tip 8: Lastly, please follow the manufacturer’s directions on how much should be applied to a surface. If you do too many coats, the surface will become super slippery, especially in cold and wet weather. This could easily present a problem when someone falls due to the slippery surface.
Conclusion
With these tips, you will be able to create a safer, simpler plan for sealing your concrete. The process is not a difficult one. Rather, the process of sealing your own concrete is one that can be enhanced with these simple tips.
When you have your concrete cleaned, dry and you have picked up the sealer that is good for your project, the sealing can be achieved with a thin paint roller or garden sprayer. If you’re using a garden sprayer, I’d use a metallic one so the solvents won’t melt it as it can do sometimes.
