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| 4 Tips on How to Best Use Concrete Sealants |
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More often than not, people would recommend the use of concrete
sealants, especially if they know that you are doing work on your
basement or crawlspace. Concrete sealants usually come in sealers and
stains, both of which are excellent if you are working with actual
concrete or any similar surface. As the name suggests, sealants help prevent moisture seepage to the surface. These are also handy when it comes to quick fixes or patching up small cracked areas. But there are also other products now that can provide an aesthetic lift to the concrete surface when stained properly. So how exactly can you use this product? Here are a few tips how. 1. Use sealers for “light” jobs. Naturally enough, if you are planning on creating a permanent concrete overlay, you would need actual concrete to get the job done. The same goes if you are creating a level floor or wall for your basement or crawlspace. But for smaller jobs like: sealing in a cracked area, or closing in the gaps between two concrete slabs, using this product will make your job go a lot faster. Plus, if you are not really very handy with DIY or do-it-yourself projects, you might find working with sealants a lot easier, as compared with working with cement and concrete mixes. 2. When in doubt, always choose epoxy concrete sealer. An epoxy concrete sealer can be used on just about any impenetrable surface. It was originally developed as a concrete floor coating, but because of its tensile strength and non-porous quality, people have been using epoxy concrete sealers to prevent water, chemicals or other liquid based solutions from penetrating deeply into concrete surfaces. Another good alternative to epoxy concrete sealer is a penetrate sealer. The name is taken from the fact that this kind of sealer goes deeply (about 4 millimeters) into the concrete surface. The sealer literally fills up all the air bubbles on the surface, which increases the concrete’s inherent ability to repel moisture, grime or dirt. This product also bonds tightly with the molecules of the concrete surface, which increase its durability and resiliency. 3. Use film former sealants if you want the concrete to have a shiny surface. Epoxy and penetrate sealers usually leave a gritty residue, which is fine for small areas that are not usually seen by people. However, if you want a concrete surface that looks more pleasing to the eye, you might want to use film former sealants instead. This product will add sheen to any surface that it is applied on. Some people use film formers to protect aggregate colored concrete surfaces, instead of using common varnish. 4. Use concrete stains for a more decorative effect. When properly applied, acid concrete stains can make the surface looked like it was painted on or stenciled in. Swirled, marbled and tinted designs can be acquired by simply moving the acid with a brush or any tool that can create a pattern. For best results, you might want to use epoxy concrete sealers first on the surface, followed by concrete stains and topped off with film formers. No matter what you use the job can get messy. Make certain you know of a good professional cleaning service to help you out. |
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