Concrete, as good as it looks on driveways and patios, is prone to damage because it is porous. Weather, water, salt can all attack it and tamper with its appearance and thus, concrete sealers are so widely used to protect it. Concrete sealer is applied to concrete to maintain its texture and color and to increase its life – the protective layer of a sealant safe-guard the materials and keeps it strong and durable. The process of concrete sealing can provide the concrete protection and maintain it for a longer period of time while the concrete without sealants gets cracked pretty easily. Moreover, freshly applied concrete is also cured as a measure to help it form a strong layer by keeping it out of the reach of too hot and too cold temperatures in its first few days. Skipping curing of concrete can result in weak and low resistance surface. Cure and Seal Sealants Curing and sealing are two different processes that are done at different times in the life of concrete. Curing is done just concrete is poured, before it dries out. The reason concrete is cured is because concrete tends to form cracks if left to it own to dry. By curing the concrete, the freshly concreted area is stopped from drying to quickly – if that happens, the area doesn’t build as hard as it ought to be. Sealing, on the other hand, concrete sealing is done when the concrete has had enough time to be cured. A concrete sealer prevents the water and chemicals to enter the porous concrete surface and damage it within. Concrete cure and seal sealants are the products made for dual function – they act as currant in the first coat and as sealers in the second or even third application. The ‘cure’ material develops a film on the surface of the fresh laid out concrete and holds a portion of water to help the hydration process of the cement while the rest of the water gets evaporated eventually. The balance of sustenance and evaporation of the water is important – if too much water is held by the concrete, it may strengthen it but the appearance comes out dull. The ‘seal’ portion in Cure and Seal sealants is used as concrete sealer. When the concrete has cured – dried and got rid of the water – sealer is applied to protect its appearance and strength. Benefits of Cure and Seal Sealants Applying concrete Cure and Seal Sealants is the most inexpensive way to protect the surface, much lower in cost than the other sealing compounds. At first, they delay the rapid evaporation of water and once the process is completed, it gives it protection from weather, spills and stains. They block the chemicals, water and other contaminants by forming a layer on the surface and are generally made of polymers of styrene and acrylic which are solvent or water based. Usually applied in thin layers, 2-3 mils thick, concrete sealing lasts for 2-3 years if used normally.
