Smooth Concrete Sealer Basics Penetrating Sealers soak into porous concrete and masonry and create a permanent chemical reaction. They offer a flat appearance and protection that will only wear away if the substrate itself wears away below the level of sealer penetration.
Penetrating sealers absorb into the concrete, and are ideal for protecting exterior concrete surfaces from damage due to exposure such as rain and ice. For decorative concrete, ICS High Gloss Non-Yellowing Sealer enhances the surface with a high-shine, glossy finish.
Although sealers will not keep pressure-driven water from penetrating the concrete, any water that is absorbed can evaporate since sealer materials are permeable to water vapor. Sealers can be expected to last up to several years depending on the concrete surface, specific repellent properties, and service environment.
Sealer that is applied too heavily or too often will create an impermeable barrier and trap that water vapor beneath it. If enough pressure is created by trapped water vapor, the sealer can delaminate from the concrete surface, and might even take some of the concrete paste with it!
When the sealer is applied too heavily, the air displaced through the surface can't escape, and it forms a bubble in the sealer surface. Bubbling of a sealer can also occur if application is done in hot weather, or if the concrete is in direct sun.
One of the biggest disadvantages of concrete driveway sealing is the cost. The materials and labor required to seal a concrete driveway properly can be expensive. In addition, concrete driveways that are improperly sealed can trap moisture underneath the surface, which can lead to problems such as mold and mildew.
Concrete sealers are best applied in two thin coats. The first coat of sealer acts like a primer. Most of it will disappear into the concrete surface, and the concrete will probably look fairly unattractive after the first coat. The second thin coat will provide an even finish, color enhancement and gloss.
Concrete should be sealed to protect from mold and mildew.
Because concrete is a porous material, it has a tendency to absorb moisture. When this moisture doesn't dry and the surface is left wet for an extended period of time, mildew begins to form and mold begins to grow.
How Long Will The Product Last? Acrylic topical coatings have the shortest lifespan, needing re-applied every 1-3 years. Epoxy and urethane systems last between 5-10 years, closer to 5 if the surface experiences heavy traffic.
Concrete is by design a porous material and water can pass through it by hydrostatic pressure, water vapor gradient or capillary action. Water can also enter at cracks, structural defects or at improperly designed or installed joints.
However, concrete is porous. No, water isn't going to soak up like a sponge, but concrete does allow water to seep through when there is enough. Concrete also cracks, and those cracks will be the first routes of seeping water as it leaks through the slab.
Yes, concrete can absorb water because it's porous like a sponge. When the ambient relative humidity is high, concrete can absorb water vapor (moisture) from the air. When the relative humidity is low, water will evaporate from the concrete into the ambient environment.
The application of a sealant helps extend the life of outdoor concrete by making it more resistant. It reinforces the density and hardness of the material, significantly increasing its tensile strength.
Sealing doesn't change the structure of concrete. Sealing doesn't do anything to make concrete stronger or more durable, since it only protects the surface.
A: Yes! Old concrete can be sealed for the first time or resealed if it has been previously sealed with a concrete sealer. Before sealing old concrete you want to make sure you determine if the concrete has been previously sealed.
After your concrete is deep-cleaned, it's time to permanently seal it in—locking and protecting that freshly-poured look for good. PermaSeal® penetrates deep into the porous concrete, bonding on a molecular level. This protects from moisture, freeze and thaw cycles, and deterioration- for 25 years guaranteed!
As we noted earlier, concrete sealers produce a very smooth surface on top of the concrete once it has fully cured, which gives your driveway valuable resistance to water, oil, and stains.
Outdoor concrete sealers are not only worthwhile but necessary. Experts who recommend having a concrete surface sealed are doing their customers a big favor. Without this extra layer of protection, concrete will absorb moisture and may begin to crack, spall, flake, and discolor, among other things.
A thick coating of sealer can make a surface slippery, so it's important to apply the appropriate amount. (In addition to creating a slippery surface, a thick coat of sealer can also create a whitish film on the surface of your concrete.)
You do not want to apply a second coat after the first coat has dried or the first coat will try to repel the second coat. The second wet-on-wet coat is applied anywhere from 1-15 minutes after the first coat is applied.
A clear sealer is used to enhance and protect integrally colored or stained concrete floors. You may use a thin-build (less than 10 mils total thickness) or thick-build system (greater than 10 mils total thickness). For the record, 1 mil is a thickness of one thousandth of an inch.
Concrete sealed with an acrylic sealer should not be walked on (with the exception of a recoat), driven on, or wet for at least 36-48 hours.