What Does Sealing Concrete Do?
Concrete is an artificial composite material of water, aggregate (such as loose stones or gravel), and cement. Large amounts of concrete may be transported via trucking, conveyor belt, or tremie to their final location for pouring.
Sealing concrete regularly protects it from moisture damage caused by moisture intrusion and deicing chemicals. It also improves its appearance and protects its structure from wear and tear, extending its service life.
Concrete Work As a Moisture Resistant
Moisture intrusion is responsible for most concrete damage. Its effects compound over time and shorten concrete’s lifespan and durability. High-quality sealants are an invaluable solution to protect concrete against moisture intrusion and extend its durability and lifespan. Preparing concrete for sealing surface preparation before applying a sealer to existing concrete is extremely important.
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How Does It Work?
The two main categories are topical sealers and penetrating sealers. Sealers significantly decrease moisture penetration into concrete structures by limiting moisture penetration, thus significantly prolonging their durability and lifespan.
Sealing concrete floors requires various products, but silicone-based sealants are among the most efficient. Hydrophobic in nature, they allow water droplets to form beads on top of the concrete rather than seeping through.
Silicone Sealing
Silicone-based products not only prevent water absorption but also enhance surface durability. When applied correctly, silicone sealants can resist abrasion and chemical penetration of concrete surfaces.
Proper surface preparation before sealant application is key to ensuring good adhesion and optimal performance. Usually, this involves sweeping to remove loose dirt or dust, followed by pressure washing.
However, mechanical abrasion using self-contained centrifugal wheel blast units may be another effective surface preparation method.
Prevents Oil Stains that are Hard to Wash
Polyurethane sealers can help prevent oil-based staining of concrete floors. However, for optimal results, thorough cleaning before applying a sealer may be required, and it’s recommended that surfaces be resealed every two to five years.
An effective film-forming sealer is ideal for revitalizing decorative concrete surfaces and increasing slip resistance. It also makes them much simpler to clean, cutting maintenance and cleanup costs significantly. You also have to clean and regularly maintain the air filters.
Selecting an effective concrete floor sealer to protect your surface can be challenging. When making this selection, always choose from high-quality commercially available products independently tested and certified by an accredited testing laboratory.
When considering where and for what use concrete will be sealed, such as driveways in Pacific Northwest climates requiring protection from salt/deicing chemicals.
Chemicals Enhance Durability & Longevity
Concrete sealers contain chemicals that can make surfaces more resilient against abrasion and chemical weathering, protecting them against dirt, grime, and wear and tear over time. Additionally, this helps keep surfaces looking newer by stopping mold growth—another benefit.
Enhance the aesthetics and add value to your home or business with polished concrete surfaces that add a unique flair and prevent color fading due to harsh weather conditions, UV rays, or general wear and tear.
Although acrylic sealers can be applied right after the concrete has been laid, most require waiting until its curing process has concluded. We advise hiring a professional sealer application service and selecting an effective silicon-based concrete sealer.
These repel moisture by making water droplets bead instead of soak into the concrete surface. Silicate sealer acts like a penetrating concrete sealer by reacting with calcium hydroxide in concrete to densify and harden its surface, making it harder and more resistant to abrasion and moisture penetration. This can be hard and you have to hire a professional HVAC operator.
Resists Freeze-Thaw Cycle Damage
Concrete can be severely compromised by freeze-thaw cycles if it’s located outdoors, so sealants provide crucial protection. Their chemical makeup helps stop water from seeping into porous concrete pores and expanding when frozen—potentially expanding and damaging over time and ultimately leading to costly repairs for any damage that results.
With the proper application of high-quality sealants, concrete surfaces will be protected from harmful chemicals such as machine oil, deicing salts, and other contaminants that could find their way onto them. In addition, well-sealed surfaces are much simpler to maintain: A regular cleaning regimen using mild, pH-neutral cleaners will keep them looking their best while prolonging their lifespan.
Sealing concrete should be completed between late spring and early autumn to allow enough time for the sealant to cure properly before harsh winter conditions arrive. Contact Green Street HVAC today for more information about protecting and preparing seal concrete.
Improves Surface Appearance & Color
Concrete sealers improve the appearance and ease of maintenance for decorative and plain concrete surfaces by creating a film-forming sealer, adding gloss or sheen, that resists dirt, grime, and oil spills while making stain penetration much harder.
Unsealed concrete is vulnerable to moisture damage, which can lead to corrosion of the steel reinforcement within it. It can also be compromised by freeze-thaw cycles, pitting, or spalling, which leaves holes behind.
Some more popular penetrating sealers react with concrete to form an impervious chemical barrier against moisture penetration, deicing chemicals, and other harsh conditions. They provide invisible protection without altering surface appearance, are breathable to allow moisture vapor escape, and are best suited for outdoor use.
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Reduces Dusting from Concrete Surface
Before you apply concrete sealer, the surface must be clean and dry. Concrete contractors often offer power washing as part of their service; alternatively, you could do it yourself using a soft-bristled broom and dust mask for maximum effectiveness.
Sealers form an effective barrier between porous concrete and outdoor moisture sources, helping reduce mold and mildew growth and discolorations caused by moisture exposure. They will also protect the sealer itself from future cracking due to UV radiation exposure.
Certain types of concrete sealers contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon-based chemicals that evaporate at room temperature. Therefore, it’s important to use an area with adequate ventilation when applying these sealers. You should also avoid sealing on days predicted to rain shortly thereafter or where strong winds could carry debris onto freshly coated surfaces.
Conclusion
A penetrating sealer and topical sealer are essential maintenance practices that offer multiple benefits. Protecting against moisture intrusion helps prevent long-term damage and extends the lifespan of concrete structures. Overall, a high-quality acrylic sealer is a cost-effective way to ensure concrete’s longevity and aesthetic appeal, whether used in residential or commercial settings.
Call Green Street HVAC Concrete Sealing Installation
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