What You Need To Know About Sealing Concrete
Concrete is such a great material! It’s used for all kinds of things like patios, driveways, floors, and big architectural stuff. But it can get damaged with the passage of time from things like water, chemicals, and just general use. That’s where concrete sealers come in. They help protect the concrete in your property, whether commercial or residential. But what does sealing concrete do? Let’s find out about all the good things they do and how it all works!
Request A Free Consultation
Understanding the Basics of Concrete Sealers
Concrete sealers are like protective shields for concrete surfaces like sidewalks, garages, decks, patios, driveways, parking lots, etc, helping to keep them looking great and lasting longer. However, there are a few types of sealers to choose from, including ones that soak into the concrete and others that sit on top. The right sealer depends on what you're sealing – like a driveway, floor, or other concrete features. You should also consider pressure washing concrete surfaces as it will save your money and will keep the concrete surfaces on your property in top notch conditions for years. Discuss this with the professionals, and they will answer you best.
Topical Sealers
Topical sealers are surface-level sealers that form a protective film on the concrete surface. Film-forming sealers improve the appearance of concrete, providing a fine and glossy finish while also protecting against wear and tear.
Penetrating Sealers
Penetrating sealers, on the flip side, penetrate deep into the concrete, forming a chemical reaction that creates a strong barrier against moisture and other environmental elements. They are perfect for protecting new and existing concrete.
The Amazing Benefits of Sealing Concrete?
Let's now learn the amazing benefits of sealing concrete, whether it's in your concrete driveways, stairs, basement, deck, or any other part of your property.
Protection Against Environmental Elements
Sealing concrete surfaces protects it from UV rays, moisture, and other environmental factors that damage over time. Unsealed concrete is more susceptible to discoloration cracking, spalling.
More Durability
The second advantage of sealing concrete on your property is its durability. Sealed concrete surfaces are more durable and resistant to wear and tear, which is especially needed for high-traffic areas like driveways and floors.
Visual Attractiveness
Applying concrete sealers enhances the appearance of the surface, giving it a polished look that is also clean and neat. Sealed concrete has a richer color and a smoother finish compared to unsealed concrete. So, it's always best to seal the concrete so that it always looks beautiful to you and to your guests when they visit you.
Slip Resistance (Even When Wet)
Yes, some sealers can make the surface slippery. But, options are available that provide slip resistance, making the concrete surfaces safer to walk on, even when wet.
Call Us For a Free Initial Consultation
We Are Here To Assist You, Contact us today for more information.
Stain Resistance
The fifth benefit of the sealing concert is stain resistance. Sealing concrete makes it less porous, which means it is less likely to absorb stains from grease, oil, etc. This is particularly beneficial for driveways and concrete floors in garages or commercial spaces.
The Process of Concrete Sealing
Concrete sealing is a process that demands precision and expertise to achieve the best results. While it may seem tempting to attempt DIY pressure washing or concrete sealing, it's highly recommended to hire professionals for this task. Skilled experts have the necessary experience and knowledge to properly seal , maintain and deep clean concrete surfaces, ensuring long-lasting protection. For the best results and mental peace, reach out to your local concrete sealing professionals who can deliver high-quality work with safety and efficiency in mind.
Surface Preparation
Before applying concrete sealers, you have to clean the surface thoroughly. Remove any dirt, debris, dust, stains, or existing sealers that could prevent the new sealer from adhering properly.
Application of the Sealer
After surface preparation is done, you need to apply the sealer. The method of application varies and depends on the sealer that you are using. Penetrating sealers may be applied with a sprayer, allowing the sealer to absorb into the concrete. On the flip side, topical sealers are generally applied with a brush or roller to guarantee even coverage.
Drying & Curing Phase
After the sealer is applied, it needs some time to dry and cure. The curing process allows the sealer to form a strong layer. During this time, it's super important to avoid traffic on the concrete to prevent any damage to the sealer. Get this job done by professionals, as they know the best techniques and will suggest which sealer is best for your concrete surface.
Choosing the Right Concrete Sealer
The choice of the concrete sealer depends on different factors, such as the type of concrete surface (sidewalks, driveways, garages, patios, walls and foundations, basements, stairs, etc.), the environmental conditions it will be exposed to, and the final finish that you want.
For instance, a concrete driveway requires a penetrating sealer that provides long-term protection against moisture, while a concrete floor in a commercial property may benefit from a topical sealer that offers slip resistance and enhances its beauty. It's important to consult with professionals to determine which sealer is best for your specific type of concrete structure.
What is the Downside of Sealing Concrete?
While sealing concrete gives you many benefits, it also has potential downsides. One drawback is the possibility of slippery surfaces, particularly with film-forming sealers, on areas that get wet, like patios. Some sealers can also change the appearance of concrete, creating a wet look that may not be desired.
Sealer application can also be labor-intensive, requiring thorough cleaning and preparation of the surface to ensure proper adhesion. Topical sealers may also need periodic reapplication to maintain effectiveness, adding to maintenance costs.
On top of that, depending on the sealer's formulation and the surface's needs, some penetrating sealers may not protect against certain environmental factors. Therefore, you must weigh these considerations in advance and consult with professionals to select the best sealer for your concrete surfaces.
Conclusion
Sealing concrete is a Real-Deal for keeping concrete surfaces in good shape. Whether you have new concrete or want to protect existing concrete, sealing it the right way and from professionals can help it last a lot longer.
If you understand why sealing concrete is important and use the right types of sealers, you can keep the concrete parts on your property looking great and protect them from damage that is caused by rough and regular use. Apart from sealing you should also focus on pressure washing the concrete surfaces in your property. Pressure washing the concrete surfaces can save your time , money and increase its life as well. Get in touch with professionals today to seal the concrete surfaces on your property and make them safe and beautiful.
Pressure Wash Your Concrete with Chris's Pressure Washing: Your Tri-Cities Clean-Up Experts!
Looking for the best cleaning services for concrete? Check out Chris's Pressure Washing! We can help you with cleaning houses and commercial buildings, removing leaves, and making everything look neat and nice. We also clean roofs, windows, and driveways.
We serve the entire Tri-Cities area and locations within 75 miles. You can call us at (423) 384-0704 or email us at chris@chrisspressurewashing.com. We are really looking forward to making your place look great. Give us a call today!
