Concrete Sealing helps to keep your concrete surfaces corrosion and damage free, as well as helps to maintain their aesthetic beauty and look. However, there is a certain method to applying concrete sealers. It would be best to hire Concrete sealing professionals for this task. However, if you wish to do it on your own, you need to wear protective clothing, goggles and gloves. Below are some more guidelines you should follow:- Your Sealer type - How you should go about the concrete sealing process largely depends on what sealer you are using. There are two types of sealers - Topical and penetrating. Topical sealers form a layer on top of the concrete, proving as a barrier to dirt and water. Penetrating sealers go inside the concrete surface, and bind the concrete molecules closer to reduce its porosity. Both these sealers are sometimes used in combination too, depending on the work at hand. Read the instructions carefully at the back of the pack/ container, and ask advice from someone who has done sealing before, in case the instructions are not clear. Clean the Surface - It is very important that the surface you want to seal has been cleaned. You can use a high pressure washer, a degreaser, a stuff scrubber and a concrete cleaner. You could also wash with vinegar or muriatic acid using a sprayer, and clean it off with water. The quantity of the vinegar/acid used should be in according to the instructions on the jug. For very stubborn stains, coat the surface with detergent for about 20 minutes and then clean with water. Allow the surface to dry adequately before cleaning. Sealing a wet surface will not give a desirable effect. Applying the Concrete Sealer - As mentioned before, specific instructions depend on the type of sealer. The general procedure however, is explained here. You can use a roller brush or spray to apply the sealer. You can use the regular paint brush to apply it to the smaller areas. Apply the sealer in a small area first, if it looks good, then proceed further. You goal is to apply a thin coat, therefore, do not lap on too much of the sealer. Apply a second coat for more finish, but only after the first coat has dried completely. It is ideal to not apply the sealer in the afternoon, when the sun is directly above the head, as the heat can cause cracking before the sealer has dried properly. Sealing should be done when the environment is comparatively cooler. Over application and Under application - These are the two common errors when it comes to concrete sealing. Under application is quite rare, and easily fixable. To avoid this problem, you can determine how much sealer you will require per square foot, and try your best to stick to it. To fix this problem, all you have to do is apply another coat. Over application is more common and problematic. It can lead to peeling, slow drying or a milky fog appearing at the surface. The only way to avoid it is through enough practice and experience. It can be fixed by spraying, and back-rolling occasionally. But, most to the times, the sealer needs to be removed and the process has to be started over.
For concrete sealer applicators please visit the concrete sealing professionals at Sydney Wide Pressure Cleaning.