Using the Right Concrete Sealer
You should keep your homes clean and safe at all times. Apart from electric circuits and roof system, you should also watch out for cracks or uneven floors. These things may cause accidents or bigger damages to your property if left untreated. Good thing there are concrete sealers you can use to repair the small damages. Just make sure to choose the right type when sealing your floors or walls. This article is about the different types of concrete sealers you can use at home.
It is advisable to test the sealer before buying one. Pour water over the surface to see the possible results. If the concrete does not change color, it means it’s not effective or the quality is not good enough. Water bidding is an old but effective method to check the quality of the sealer. It is also advisable to know the different types of sealer and their features. To give you more ideas, here’s a short overview:
– Silanes
Silanes are one of the most common materials. It can penetrate the concrete well and very effective for wall cracks. Just make sure to combine these materials with water adhesives to become more effective. Ideally, you will need three saturations to achieve better results. It is also important to check the silane content. Watch out for those products with lesser solids. Check the container if there’s too much water.
Caution:
Do not use this on single layered- concretes. Silanes produce hydrocarbon chain and the organic compounds can remain active in the concrete. This means they can make the leverage heavier and they are more prone to stains. It also requires more work since you need total saturation. It is advisable to choose the right water adhesives. Miscalculation can ruin the whole thing. So be careful when using this sealer.
– Siloxanes
This is the new version of silane. The main advantage is it is more reliable and versatile. Unlike silane, you can use this on a single-layered concrete. You can also use this on blocks, exposed aggregate, cinder blocks, clay bricks, and natural stones. The treated material has little changes or no color change, but this doesn’t mean it is not effective. Siloxanes produce lesser hydrocarbon chain. This is why it doesn’t change color.
Caution:
As siloxanes produce lesser hyrdrobon chain, you only need lighter adhesives. Avoid using strong adhesives to maintain its quality and grip. Just like silane, it requires total saturation to make the sealer more effective.
– Acrylic sealers
This type is also one of the most popular today. You may also use this as garage coatings. These solvent-based materials come in a variety of solids-the higher the solids, the longer the sealer will last. Some come with UV protection, and they even come in a water-based formulation. This is why it is an ideal option for garage coatings. This can emit high levels of VOC (volatile organic compounds). It can form a film on top of the concrete and prevent water absorption.
