Choosing the right concrete floor sealant

In this article, we discuss the topic of choosing the right concrete floor sealant. To buy and know the price of super lubricant, tile adhesive, anti-acid mortar, rebar planting adhesive, concrete restorer, epoxy and antifreeze grout, etc., you can contact Shimi Abadgaran Company. Call.

Choosing the right concrete floor sealant

Comparing a concrete sealer to frosting on a cake might seem a bit silly, but they actually have a lot in common. Frosting makes the cake look better and keeps it fresher for longer. Sealers make decorative concrete look better and keep it looking good and performing well for longer. No bakery serves a birthday cake without frosting. Therefore, no experienced concrete contractor will install decorative flooring without sealant.

Appearance and protection are the primary expectations of a sealer

So if appearance and protection are the primary expectations of a sealer, what factors should be considered in choosing the right product for a given application? Three basic things can be mentioned. First, the environment. We recommend that you ask: “In what environment will the sealer be asked to perform? Indoors or outdoors? wet or dry Which part of the country? Second, traffic. “Vehicle traffic causes the coating to wear down faster than foot traffic. And will there be exposure to chemicals such as gas or oil? Third, maintenance. Can they be recoated every few years to maintain a good look and protect the decorative concrete?

Considerations when sealing concrete

Bob Harris, president of the Decorative Concrete Institute, lists several special considerations for contractors and application requirements. Cost, drying time, availability and whether the product is solvent or water based are important factors.

Slip resistance surface

The level of slip resistance required is a factor in choosing a sealer. “Different areas and projects have different code requirements. “Make sure the product you’re installing meets or exceeds code.”

One of the factors that is often overlooked when sealing decorative concrete floors is moisture reduction. We have seen beautiful decorative floors destroyed in a matter of months due to moisture seeping in from underneath. This moisture can be created when the concrete is painted and sealed too soon or in lower applications where moisture is continuously transferred from the subsoil. She recommends moisture and acidity testing in order to select a sealer with the proper pH balance and vapor transmission capability to prevent moisture from being trapped between the paint surface and the sealer.

Penal or filmmaker?

Most sealers fall into one of two general categories – penetrating or film forming. Penetration sealers are basically silicone solids suspended in a fluid carrier. They penetrate the pores of concrete and deposit silicone in them, leaving practically no layer. However, they usually do not repel stubborn oil or grease stains like film-forming sealers.

Ordinary concrete

“For regular concrete, we recommend a penetrating, chemically reactive silicone sealant. These sealers are top of the line in our opinion. Silicone sealants react with lime in concrete to form a bond and fill open pores. They glass the surface from 1 to 4 mils deep to protect against moisture penetration. Penetration sealers are especially effective for protecting against damage in areas prone to freeze-thaw cycles.

Penetrating sealants for colored concrete floors

We do not use penetrating sealants for colored concrete floors. Penetrating sealers last longer than film-forming ones, but make the surface vulnerable to stains because all of the sealer is embedded in the concrete.

Constituent sealants

In general, film-forming sealants are preferred for decorative concrete. Plath says: “For sealed concrete, film-forming sealant is essential. Otherwise, the antique appearance will immediately begin to deteriorate. In addition, a film-forming sealer reinforces the underlying colors far better than penetrating sealers. Stained concrete can be sealed with either type, but film-forming sealers do a better job of showing the depth of colors in acid stains, paints, and colored concrete.

Water vs Solvent

Another important distinction is between water and solvent sealers. Odor is the main reason against using solvent-based sealers indoors. “Solvent-based acrylic sealers create an odor inside that is completely unbearable. “Many people have to leave their homes until they are asked to. This is because the vapor can cause headaches, nausea, shortness of breath and other symptoms. Also, fumes are highly flammable and even a spark can ignite them.

with little or no emission of volatile organic compounds

With little or no VOC emissions, water-based sealers are preferred in areas with strict VOC regulations and by customers and contractors who want a “green” product. Depending on the project, an architect may seek products that qualify for LEED points.

Advantages of solvent-based sealers

Solvent-based sealers have their own advantages. “We’ve used both solvent-based acrylic sealers and sealants, and the solvent-based sealers seem to be more durable when used on exterior concrete.” They also tend to have a more dramatic effect on the color of decorative concrete and can be used to achieve a variety of decorative effects.

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