Sealing Concrete Floors
It is important to maintain concrete driveways and garages. In
northern climates, the chemicals used to maintain the roadways in winter will
destroy your concrete surface. Specifically, the combination of calcium
chloride and salt used to melt snow is concrete's worst enemy. A good concrete
sealer will protect the concrete surface from those chemicals and will give it
some resistance to oil, paint, and other substances that may be spilled.
There are numerous kinds of sealers on the market. If you plan to paint
your garage floor, you must be careful to choose the right sealer because some
do not react well with paint. A good standard sealer will typically need to be
reapplied every two years, while some sealers may come with warranties of up to
ten years with just one application. The quality of the sealer is what
determines the frequency of application. To determine when sealer should be
reapplied, pour water onto the concrete. If the water does not bead, it is time
for the sealer to be reapplied.
|
 |
Example of garage
floor damage that
could have been
prevented with
a good sealer |
The areas that are the most susceptible
to damage are where the cars park inside the garage and along the garage door.
During the winter, chemicals become trapped to the snow on your car. As the
snow melts, the chemicals penetrate the concrete below your car. The area along
the garage door also becomes susceptible to damage because the melted snow will
run towards the door. A good quality sealer can block this chemical
degradation.
Sealer can be found at most home supply stores, and can be
applied with either a sprayer or a roller. The key is to apply an even coat
without allowing the sealer to puddle on the concrete. It is important that the
sealer be applied when the temperature is at least 40 degrees (Fahrenheit), and
it should remain above this temperature for several hours after application. A
solvent may be required to clean your sprayer, roller, and even yourself.
Basements usually do not need to be sealed. If you choose to seal
basement floors, please beware of accumulating dangerous fumes in the enclosed
area.
|
