Acryl resin sealers offer the longest performance life, typically lasting 5 to 10 years in heavy-traffic areas. Epoxy or urethane systems can provide similar results; however, they may last 5 to 10 years depending on the degree of traffic exposure.
A thorough application of a soft, acrylic-based concrete sealer should last 1–3 years. Epoxy-based concrete sealers tend to last much longer, usually between 5–10 years.
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.
Epoxy concrete sealers are the most versatile product for protecting concrete countertops. Epoxy provides a thick, extremely durable, glossy finish with either a clear coat or a variety of color options.
Epoxy concrete sealers are the most durable, making them good for sealing garage floors and high-traffic retail environments. Softer acrylic sealers, which require a sacrificial floor wax, are more affordable and popular for residential concrete floors, including basements.
Sealcoating your driveway starts with deciding whether to use water or oil-based sealers. Although both types have advantages, water-based sealers' shorter cure time and eco-friendliness make it the better choice in many situations.
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!
Before applying a new sealer, it's very important that you make sure the old one is completely gone. This is because any old sealer left on the surface of your concrete can impede the effectiveness of the newly applied sealant, preventing proper adhesion to the concrete surface.
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.
As a general rule of thumb, concrete sealing should be performed when the weather is at 50 degrees F or higher, suggests Concrete Network. Though other factors, such as the type of sealant being applied, can adjust the safe temperature to apply sealant, spring is generally considered the ideal time for sealing work.
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.
By sealing your concrete every 2-5 years, as recommended by experts, you should keep your floor in good shape, preventing cracks, pitting, and additional damage.
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.
For large scale projects like buildings, concrete should last up to 100 years if it's properly cared for. Concrete projects that experience more wear-and-tear like sidewalks and driveways have an expected lifespan of about half that—50 years.
EPOXIES AND URETHANES
Epoxy and urethane systems have similar performance to penetrating sealers, lasting 5 to 10 years, depending on traffic exposure. They are more expensive than other sealers up front, but they will last you longer than the alternatives, which are usually acrylic sealers.
A strong enough power washer will blast most types of sealer off of concrete with ease. The trick is to make sure to pressure wash the entire surface area. For more sturdy sealers, it may take a few passes with the pressure washer to get it completely removed.
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.
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!
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.
The most common way to waterproof concrete is to use a liquid waterproofing product specifically designed for that purpose. Liquid waterproofing gel is a thick substance that turns into a rubber-like coating once applied to the outside of a concrete wall.
After you complete a concrete job, don't neglect the single most important step to ensure that it lasts a lifetime: sealing. With a high-quality sealant—and this helpful guide—you can waterproof and protect your new concrete surfaces for years to come.
Siliconate Water Repellent Sealers: Like with Silane-Siloxane water repellent sealers, Siliconate sealers will last anywhere from 6 months to 7 years. Most low solids solutions found in store will last 6 months to a year, while higher solids solutions, like the Armor SC25 will last for up to 5-7 years.
There are two common types of sealers to choose from – film forming and penetrating, with each offering their own different benefits and each suitable for different applications.
Water-based acrylic sealers are often a better choice than solvent-based sealers. Water-based simply means that the acrylic solids (the parts actually protecting the concrete) are suspended in water, rather than a chemical solvent, such as acetone or xylene.