So you’ve just had a beautiful new concrete floor installed in your home. It looks pristine and perfect at first glance. But before long, you start to notice little scuffs, stains, and signs of wear. This brings up an important question for many homeowners: Does concrete need to be sealed?
Let’s take a look at the benefits of sealing and whether it’s worth considering for your home.
What is Concrete Floor Sealing?
Concrete floor sealing is the process of applying a protective layer over bare concrete floors. The main purpose is to protect and enhance the appearance of concrete by sealing the pores.
Concrete is porous, which means it’s like a sponge with tiny holes throughout it. These pores allow water, oils, grease, and other contaminants to easily soak in. Sealing fills in those holes to create a smoother, denser surface that repels liquids.
Benefits of Sealing Concrete Floors
Sealing your bare concrete floors provides some really nice benefits that make it worth your time and money. Here are some of the key reasons you’ll want to seal your concrete floors:
Protects from Stains
Sealing concrete protects it against stains from spills, grease, oils, and other liquids that can permanently discolor your floors. A good concrete sealer forms a protective barrier that makes it much easier to clean up spills before they have a chance to soak in and stain the concrete.
Makes Cleaning Easier
In addition to preventing stains, a sealed concrete floor is much easier to clean. Sealing makes the surface less porous and reduces the amount of dirt, grime, and liquids that can soak in. This allows you to easily sweep and mop without scrubbing away at stuck-on gunk. The floors will simply look cleaner day-to-day with less effort.
Enhances Appearance
Sealing gives concrete a nicer visual appearance by making the color look richer and providing a subtle sheen. Unsealed concrete can look dull, but a good sealant enhances the color to give your floors a little polish. It also minimizes scratches, pits, and other imperfections.
When to Seal Your Concrete Floor
Sealing concrete floors is recommended for both new and existing concrete. For new concrete, it’s best to seal it as soon as possible. New concrete is porous and needs to be sealed quickly to prevent moisture, stains, dust, and debris from penetrating the surface. It’s recommended to seal new concrete after it’s been cured for about 28 days. This helps lock in the concrete’s natural color and sheen.
For existing or old concrete, sealing is still highly recommended to revitalize and protect the surface. Existing interior concrete should be sealed every 1-3 years, depending on traffic and wear. So keep an eye out for signs of wear, fading color, and moisture damage, which indicate it’s time for a fresh concrete seal.
Sealing at the right time for both new and existing concrete maximizes the benefits of protection and makes the sealing process easier and more effective. Letting concrete go too long without sealing risks permanent damage and stains over time.
To know how long a concrete sealer lasts, check out our blog post on the topic.
Sealant Types
When it comes to sealants for concrete floors, you have a few good options:
Acrylic
Acrylic sealants are water-based and typically dry within an hour. They’re easy to apply, affordable, and breathable, allowing moisture to pass through the concrete. Acrylics provide good protection against stains, moisture, and cracks. However, they don’t last as long as other sealants, only about 1-3 years before needing reapplication.
Epoxy
Epoxy sealants are extremely durable and long-lasting, up to 5+ years before reapplying. Epoxies are chemical-resistant and provide excellent protection against stains, cracks, and moisture.
However, they take longer to apply as the surface needs extensive prep work, and epoxies give off strong fumes during application. Epoxy sealants are more expensive than acrylics but provide the strongest and longest-lasting protection.
Polyurethane
Polyurethane sealants provide a nice middle ground between acrylics and epoxies. Polyurethanes are more durable than acrylics, lasting 3-5 years, but easier to apply than epoxies.
They provide good stain, crack, and moisture resistance. Polyurethanes are mid-range in price and offer a balance of protection and ease of application. The fumes are also less intense than epoxy.
Wrapping Up
Whether you decide to seal your concrete floors yourself or hire a professional, be sure to use a high-quality sealer for the best results. Water-based acrylic sealers are a good DIY option since they are easy to apply. For heavy-duty protection, consider an epoxy sealer applied by a pro.
To maintain sealed concrete floors, sweep regularly and reapply sealer every few years, depending on traffic. With proper sealing and care, your concrete floors can stay looking great for decades.
Thinking of sealing your concrete floors? Contact us today for a consultation and see how we can help keep your floors looking fresh and new.