Concrete sealers play an important role in protecting your construction from exposure to harsh weather conditions like water and moisture, oil stains and grease. In addition, they protect your construction from deicing slats and abrasion as well as making it easy to clean. However, the sealer must be applied well to protect the structural integrity of your building. Below are some tips you need to follow to ensure the sealer has been applied properly.
When to Make the Application
A concrete sealer is not just applied any time of the year. Basically, construction manuals can guide you well on when to apply seal on your concrete. First, for new concrete constructions, it is advisable to give some time for it to cure completely. Reach out to your contractor to advise on how long it would take for you to make the application. Second, concrete sealers are best applied under dry weather conditions. When you apply it to damp concrete, it can lose adhesion, cause haziness and affect the quality of your construction.
Preparing Your Concrete for Sealing
You need to prepare your concrete surface before the sealer is applied. Basically, all stains, grease, dust and dirt components must be scrapped off before applying the sealer. Failure to do this and the concrete sealer may not have good adhesion on the surface.
When applying a new brand sealer on a concrete surface that was previously done, you need to remove the previous brand. Individual components used to manufacture concrete sealers are different and may not be compatible when the application is done. Finally, consult the best etching solutions to be used to easily scrap the surface and make it smooth before applying the concrete sealer.
How Many Coats of Concrete Sealers Will You Apply?
There is no limit to the number of sealer coats you can apply to your concrete construction. However, always remember the rule "less is more." You are safe applying two thin coats as it ensures the concrete sealer doesn't form uneven lining or puddles.
Most contractors advise that when applying the second coat, do it in a perpendicular or opposite direction to the first one. This technique ensures even coverage and increases the adhesion of the sealer on the concrete surface.
Allow the Sealer to Dry
Your concrete sealer should be given enough time to dry and stick to the surface. Therefore, do not expose it to heavy vehicle or foot traffic before a good adhesion has been achieved.
For more information on concrete sealing, contact a professional near you.
