3 Basic Questions about Concrete Sealing Answered

Construction & Contractors Blog

Even though concrete is solid, it can absorb liquids exactly like a sponge because it is an extremely porous material. From water to greases, vehicle oil, and grime, various liquids can seep into the concrete's pores. Once absorbed, these liquids are extremely hard to remove from the surface. By sealing your concrete, you will cover these pores and thus, liquids won't be able to seep into them. Ultimately, this will help prolong the life of your concrete by a few years.

How exactly do concrete sealers work as protective barriers?

Concrete sealers change the qualities of the surface so that when it comes into contact with water, the water molecules can't penetrate it. Instead, tiny blobs will form on the surface which fall to the edges where your draining pipes are. The same protection works against grease and oils, so cleaning hard to remove stains such as these becomes a facile process.

Sealing also helps against the de-icing salts that commonly occur during the freeze-thaw cycles in winter. Not only that, but it can also help eliminate the problem of mildew penetrating your cement, which can lead to black stains over time.

How does sealing affect the appearance of the concrete?

Concrete sealers generally impart a soft lustre to the surface, ultimately helping draw out the rich colours of concrete. Generally, any concrete finish looks better after being sealed. For example, exposed aggregate concrete types will benefit from being sealed because this process will greatly enhance the beauty of its decorative aggregates, such as pebbles or small stones. For decorative concrete, you could apply a tinted sealer to its grey slabs in order to add a richer colour.

How often should sealing be done?

Because there are many factors involved when it comes to sealing, such as the quality and the type of sealing product, the location of your house, and the conditions that the concrete may be exposed to, there isn't an exact rule to this. Generally, you should start the sealing process as soon as you notice that the previous coating has started to fade away. For coloured concrete, you should reseal it as soon as you see the need for it, since delaying this may result in colour fading.

While the benefits of sealing concrete are quite obvious in this article, some people choose not to seal their concrete. They claim that if you live in places with mild climate or places that don't get much rain, it's not necessary at all. The truth is, sealing not only protects the concrete, but it also improves its overall appearance and longevity.

Learn more about your options by contacting companies like Armstrong Creek Concreting & Outdoor Constructions.

13 July 2015