Correctly sealing concrete flooring is often overlooked but will be essential in ensuring the longevity of your flooring can be maintained as concrete is a porous material.
Sealing concrete floors is effective in keeping your flooring free of stains from substances like water, oil and grease and will ultimately be easier to clean which will in turn keep your flooring good as new for much longer.
From the preparation of the surface to using the correct application tools, every part of the concrete floor-laying process needs to be done right to ensure you are getting the very best results when it comes to sealing.
We are sharing some top tips for sealing concrete floors…
Choosing your sealant
Before you even get started choosing the right sealant for your business or home will be the first step and an important consideration that could effect the longevity and quality that the sealant can provide depending on it’s surroundings.
• Acrylic sealers
Most commonly used on indoor concrete flooring, acrylic sealant will sit on top of your flooring.
When compared to other sealers, acrylic sealers do not effectively protect the floor against grease and oil stains.
• Epoxy sealers
Just like acrylic sealant, Epoxy sits on top of the flooring but is a lot more durable over time.
Epoxy sealers are fantastic for protecting your flooring from grease strains, however, they can be extremely difficult to lay so bringing in a professional will be essential if you opt for this sealant in particular.
Expoxy comes in a plethora of different colours so you get a relatively more versatile range when selecting this sealant in particular.
• Silane/siloxane sealers
If you are looking for a sealant that maintains the authentic concrete flooring colour, then Silane/Siloxane sealants will be the one for you.
Silane/Siloxane penetrates the concrete so you won’t see any alteration in the finish if that is your preferred style, and will last at least two decades if you take good care of it as well as being effective in preventing deterioration.
Ventilation
One of the most important aspects when it comes to preparing your area that will be sealed is making sure there is plenty of ventilation in the room.
Opening all doors and windows will be essential and the use of a fan can help move the air around the room.
Application with the right tools
A rolling brush is a great tool to use for application, making sure the sealant is evenly distributed on the brush will help you to keep that uniform finish and avoid any poor strokes on your flooring.
Working from a wet edge again will help you keep a consistent finish and eradicate the chance of creating lines in the flooring where your sealant is laid, as well as using a small brush for the edges to really get into those tighter spaces that need covering.
Indeed, it is always better to call in the professionals if you are not sure about what you’re doing as the right contractor will have a lot of experience and knowledge that can be applied not only in the application but helping you to choose the right sealant for the surroundings your flooring is laid in.