Have you ever scraped your knee on a concrete surface? Even as a kid playing a little rough on an outdoor basketball court, you never forget the sting that comes with skin that meets that course surface. Did you know there is a way to avoid this childhood ailment? Applying a sealed concrete solution will smooth over the surface, drastically reducing the possibility of a rash or boo-boo!
Preventing scraped knees is not the only benefit of sealing your concrete surfaces. In this blog post, we will detail a few significant benefits of sealing your concrete floors and review what exactly goes into a sealed concrete solution.
Ready to learn more? Then continue and give yourself the gift of knowledge about sealed concrete surfaces!
What is Sealed Concrete?
So what does sealed concrete entail? Sealed concrete uses silicon-based sealing agents to coat a concrete surface. The compounds in these sealants are either epoxy, acrylic, polyurethane, or linseed oil-based solutions. If you have ever heard the term ‘grit and seal,’ you know another term for seal concrete!
Where can you apply a sealed concrete surface? The most common space to use this application is in the garage. Giving your garage floor a sleek finish has many advantages we explore later in this blog post. However, as an overview, the main benefits of sealing your garage’s concrete floors include protection from chemical spills, including oil and antifreeze, and being less susceptible to moisture-based cracking.
Did you know that a sealed concrete treatment can benefit the basement floor and walls? A weatherproof sealant coat can help your home’s foundational bottom base. In areas where flooding is possible, preventative measures are essential to protect your home. Using a waterproof solution to cover your basement floor will give your concrete the best chance to endure a storm.
Are you a handy-type homeowner? You may go all out and apply a sealed concrete solution to your garage or basement. While you can take on this task on your own, we advise seeking the help of a professional for this job. Enlisting the help of experienced pros will ensure a proper installation of the sealant, giving you the peace of mind that the job is done right the first time!
Why Seal Your Concrete?
So now we come to the big question: what are the benefits of sealing your concrete? Is it worth the effort to invest in a concrete sealing service? While this question is up to you to decide, allow us to show you some reasons you may want to consider sealing your concrete:
Protects the Concrete
Possibly the most overt positive, protection is the first reason that comes to people’s minds regarding concrete sealing. This coating prevents moisture damage that would otherwise damage unsealed concrete. Water and liquids will repel off your concrete and block the fluids from seeping through.
Did you know this is not just for esthetic integrity in your concrete? If moisture can enter the flooring, it can easily stay trapped in the compound. The trapped water will allow mold and mildew to grow in the concrete, damaging your floor. With a sealed concrete floor, moisture will wick away from the foundation.
Water is not the only liquid that can damage unsealed concrete flooring. Certain chemicals can devastate concrete. Inorganic chemicals like phosphoric, carbonic, and hydrochloric acids can erode concrete surfaces, and if they seep into the flooring, the results can be disastrous.
Sealing your concrete can help protect the foundation of your flooring from various potential dangers. Instead of worrying about structural integrity, you can seal your concrete flooring and mop up any liquid mess!
Quick Installation
How long does it take to apply a concrete sealant? The results may vary on the size of the surface that needs a sealed concrete treatment. However, the installation time is the same for penetrating and topical sealers. On average, it takes about 1-3 hours to seal a concrete floor. In addition, these sealers will be dry to the touch within that window.
Depending on the type of sealer you use, is there a difference in drying time? While there is a slight gap, penetrating sealers can take up to 24 hours to dry thoroughly, and a topical sealer can take up to 48 hours before foot traffic can resume.
Eliminates Dusting on Surface
Did you know that dust is a significant pain with concrete flooring? Dust particles can get trapped in the rough concrete surface. Cleaning this out requires a lot of mysterious cleaning, including intense scrubbing, to remove dust from the concrete.
With a sealed concrete surface, dust will have nowhere to hide! The slick surface will repel dust and dirt from seeping into the foundation. All you need to do is sweep or vacuum the dust and smile at your shiny floor!
Improves Look of Concrete
Are you looking to improve the look of your concrete floor? Utilizing a sealed concrete compound will give your flooring a refreshing makeover!
Applying a sealant to your concrete flooring will give it a high gloss shine that can bring out colors in your garage or basement. You can use dyes to specific sealing agents to complement the paint or decor in your home.
But did you know an added aesthetic benefit helps protect the sealed concrete flooring? Applying a sealant will help prevent cracks from forming in the foundation. While the main advantage of protecting the concrete from breaks is to prevent moisture from deteriorating the concrete, these cracks are unpleasant to see.
Applying a sealed concrete compound will give your flooring a lovely, cohesive finish, and you can enjoy your floor without worrying about unsightly cracks!
Extended Lifespan
How long will a sealed concrete floor last? Depending on the type of sealing agent used on your concrete, you can easily extend the life of your concrete floor for many years!
How long does each sealant give your flooring? An acrylic concrete sealer will last 1 to 3 years, but you must re-coat the concrete within that timeframe. If you use an epoxy coating, you can expect 5 to 10 years before a replacement is necessary. Likewise, urethane sealant will last 5 to 10 years before a new layer will be required.
No matter which sealing agent you choose, you can guarantee that you can extend your concrete surface’s life thanks to your foresight! A sealed concrete surface will prevent accidental spills and cracks, and you will relax knowing your concrete will last long!
Prevent Staining
Have you ever spilled something on a concrete surface? Have you noticed a splotch form from the liquid? Though the fluid getting into the porous surface is bad for the foundation of the concrete, it could leave an ugly stain on the area. Oil, coolant, gasoline, or any other liquid can ruin the look of your concrete floor.
With a sealed concrete surface, there is virtually no chance of damage to your flooring! If you mop up the liquid quickly, the sealant will wick away any potential staining liquid and make your floor pristine!
As discussed above, keeping any liquid away from your concrete floor is crucial to preserve its structural integrity. Sealed concrete flooring will help wash away your worries and give your flooring a continual shine!
Easier to Clean
We have alluded to this point throughout our benefits list, but did you know that sealed concrete surfaces make clean-up a breeze? No need to worry about dust getting trapped or liquid seeping into the concrete; sealing your floor will help you out when it’s time to clean up!
Sealed concrete floors are less likely to experience cracking, so you can rest easy knowing you won’t need to get down in the nitty gritty to clean up messes. Protecting your floor from potential disasters isn’t just good for the concrete’s health but also a relief to your weekend’s to-do list! You could spend hours cleaning up dust and dirt on unprotected concrete surfaces. Sealed concrete surfaces require minimal maintenance to clean. All you’ll need is a broom to brush away debris and a mop if any liquid spills on the surface.
Using a sealed concrete compound will help you get back to enjoying your free time quicker, so get in touch with a pro to kick your feet up!
Closing Thoughts
Did this article stir up a memory of that one nasty knee scrape from kindergarten? That’s precisely the kind of mishap a sealed concrete surface can protect against! As we’ve explored, sealed concrete has a wealth of fantastic benefits.
It shields your floor from the harsh elements and unexpected spills. Its installation is swift and hassle-free. Plus, it significantly extends the lifespan of your floor, ensuring durability for years to come.
Imagine the peace of mind and enhanced quality of life these advantages can bring to your home! So why wait? Let’s embrace the power of sealed concrete and elevate your living space to new heights!
If you’re convinced to seal your concrete surface, use a pressure washing service before sealing. Who better to call for a thorough pressure washing than the experts at Window Ninjas?
Here at Window Ninjas, we have the knowledge and dedication to give your concrete surface the best clean possible for the sealing installation! With our experience, we know precisely how to clean your concrete comprehensively and will make sure we stay on your schedule. We guarantee your floor will be ready for a long-lasting sealed concrete solution.
Call us today at 1-833-646-5271, or visit our website at windowninjas.com to schedule a cleaning appointment! Let us help you prepare your home for a sealed concrete treatment, and leave your flooring shining!
