How To Seal Concrete
11 Steps to Successfully Seal Your Concrete
If you have concrete, bricks, or masonry that you would like to keep protected from the elements or spills, we can help you navigate the steps! These steps can help you to protect:
Driveways
Garage floors
Bricks
Brick chimneys
Block walls
Patios
Indoor concrete
It’s not the most straightforward process to prepare and seal concrete, so we are breaking it down into the 11 following steps. Follow these steps as best you can to ensure long-lasting protection.
Choose the correct sealer. Knowing which sealer to use in which application is critical to the success of your application. Sealing a chimney will require a different sealer than a concrete floor. Some sealers are meant to repel water, and some will enhance color. There is a broad spectrum of sealers, so do your research and understand the application intent of the sealer you choose.
If the surfaces are cracked or uneven, use a concrete grinder to level the surface. This is a dangerous tool; make sure you understand how to use it safely beforehand or get a professional to help you.
Clean your surface thoroughly! Use water to remove built-up dirt and grime. The best tool to use for this is a pressure washer. Be careful while using the pressure washer, as you can take off the top layer of some more porous surfaces. If there are stains, use stain removers specific to the variety of stains you are dealing with.
Allow the surface to dry following the cleaning. At least 24 hours following the cleaning is a good rule of thumb. If it rains or sprinklers wet the surface, allow it to dry for an additional 24 hours.
Before applying the seal, sweep or blow the surface to remove loose debris.
Apply the sealers according to the manufacturer's directions. Some sealers require a sprayer, while others are too thick and require roller application.
While applying the sealer, take care not to get any on your plants or other surfaces. Sealers can kill plants and grass if the sealers get on them.
If applying a sealant to a vertical surface, protect the surface below from overspray. If you are sealing a chimney, please protect your shingles.
Be careful not to apply too much sealer. The manufacturer's directions will have a recommendation on how many coats to apply to your surface according to the square footage for the substrate. Apply evenly for best results.
Allow plenty of time for the sealer to cure before you allow foot traffic. The manufacturer directions will have a curing time that they suggest. If furniture or vehicles are allowed on the surface, the sealant will need more time to cure before allowing them on the surface.
Re-application is required for all sealants. Depending on the type of sealer used, you may have to re-apply annually or every few years. Vertical applications usually last about twice as long as horizontal applications.
If you need help with sealing your hard surfaces, just give us a call at (503) 744-0290 or email us at info@nightowlfloorservices.com.
