Concrete Sealants

If you've recently added a new landing, new concrete steps, a concrete patio, or a concrete walkway that you want to protect and keep nice for the long term, sealing the concrete is a must.

You will need to permit the concrete to completely dry to be sure that it's not going to have any dampness inside.

Letting it dry completely and attain its full strength will generally take about 21-30 days time to assure that it's substantially dry and hardened... I let mine cure for at least 28 days if at all possible. There are some types of concrete sealants that are also a concrete stain.

Your concrete doesn't have to be just gray tones any longer, it can be nearly anything that you want it to be, matching or contrasting, or simply plain colors.

Want to add some curb appeal to your home?

Add a good-looking new set of exterior concrete steps and then use concrete sealer with a color stain. It need not match your home, but only be complementary to it in order to give it a little something special.

No matter what type of project you've completed, assuring that you care for it and provide for the longevity of the concrete is important. It's much more easily done with a concrete sealant.

Particularly for the projects that you'd like to see be impervious to damage, to rain and moisture as well as to chemicals such as salt or dirt, sealing them becomes almost a necessity.

Sealing your concrete is a relatively easy task. In fact, probably the most difficult part of it is figuring out exactly how much sealant that you may need in order to accomplish the job.

Figuring Sealant Amount

Multiply the two numbers that you get in order to get the amount of area of the project in square feet.

Essentially the amount of your concrete sealant that you need is going to depend on: how much area that you are covering, the kind of sealer that you're going to apply and how porous the concrete is that you are sealing.

In addition to all of the directions I'm providing, always read the directions for the particular sealant that you're going to use.

They will be the final word on how to use it as well as how much of it that you want to have on hand in order to complete the sealing project.

Applying Concrete Sealants

For any job, painting, staining, or sealing, surface preparation is a key element to assuring that you get a good job. Lightly brush the concrete with a broom if it is even remotely soiled with any type of loose dirt so you remove it prior to washing.

To be sure that there is no grease, oil or any other type of dirt or chemical on the concrete, you're going to need a fast washing. Even if it's residue from pouring or something else such as a cleaner, it needs to be removed or your sealant won't stick and thus, will not completely seal.

To begin the sealing process, dampen the concrete lightly

Apply a good detergent such as dishwashing detergent that will break down the oil or grease on the concrete

Loosen the worked in soil with a bristle brush or a push broom. If you're interested in brightening the look of the concrete slightly you may elect a bleaching compound.

Rinse the entire thing completely to be sure that there is no soap left on the concrete and that the residue from the cleaner is gone. It may help to rent or borrow a power washer to be sure that the entire surface is as clean as possible.

Make certain that the surface is completely dry prior to beginning the application of your concrete sealer. Use a paint sprayer or a roller to accomplish the application of your sealer. If you choose to use the roller method, get a low or medium nap.

Stir the concrete sealer, don't shake it to mix it completely without adding air to it.

Apply the sealer in a thin even layer. Don't try to glob it on, keep it neat and if you need one, you can always add another coat once it has dried completely.

P.S. I recommend applying two thin coats of concrete sealant to any concrete flatwork to keep moisture from getting in while allowing air to pass. In most cases, plan to reseal every two years to maximize long-term performance and appeal.


Concrete sealants related reading

Concrete Driveway Sealer

Epoxy Concrete Sealer

Epoxy Concrete Floor Coating


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