QA

Question: How To Seal Stamped Concrete

What is the best product to seal stamped concrete?

Acrylic film forming sealers are the easiest to apply. They can be used on interior or exterior stamped concrete. Acrylic sealers provide good protection against water and chemical damage. They are UV resistant, non yellowing, fast drying, and come in high or low gloss levels.

Is it better to roll or spray concrete sealer?

Slow-evaporating solvents are better for rolling. If the product is sprayed, I like to back-roll on the primer (first) application. This works the material into the surface and improves the adhesion.”“Most decorative contractors, when doing a large area, prefer the spray/back-roll method,” Platt says.

What happens if you don’t seal stamped concrete?

Left unsealed, the colors will fade, water marks may be an issue, and stains can penetrate leaving ugly oil spots where the service guy left his old jalopy parked on the driveway. It’s pure and simple, the job just won’t last without a good sealer.

When Should I seal my stamped concrete patio?

Keep in mind that it is very important that sealers used on exterior concrete allow both air and moisture to pass through. With new stamped concrete, a sealer should be applied after curing. Most contractors have success waiting 7 to 14 days, but the official time for curing is 28 days.

Should you seal stamped concrete?

Stamped concrete should be resealed every 2 to 3 years, depending on your weather conditions. Here’s how to reseal your stamped concrete after it has been cleaned: Dry completely – allow 24 hours to air dry or use a leaf blower. DO NOT apply sealer to wet or even damp surfaces.

Is it OK to power wash stamped concrete?

Never use a pressure washer to clean your stamped concrete. Over time the high pressure breaks down the sealer and reduces the protection, the shine and expected life of the sealer. Always use a garden hose to rinse your stamped concrete.

Can you put too much sealer on concrete?

When the sealer is applied too heavily, the air displaced through the surface can’t escape, and it forms a bubble in the sealer surface. Bubbling of a sealer can also occur if application is done in hot weather, or if the concrete is in direct sun.

How many coats of concrete sealer should I use?

How many coats should I apply? Two coats are always suggested because the first coat of any concrete sealer is usually absorbed into the concrete at different rates leaving the substrate unevenly sealed. A second coat will ensure proper even coverage.

How much does concrete sealer cost?

Acrylic-resin sealers and chemically reactive penetrating sealers (silanes, silicates, siloxanes and siliconates) generally cost $0.15 to $0.25 per square foot. High-performance topical coatings, such as epoxies and urethanes, will cost more — typically $0.50 to $2.50 per square foot.

Should colored concrete be sealed?

Colored concrete will get good and hard just like normal concrete. However, all concrete benefits from being sealed against stains and water damage. So even though it’s not necessary, sealing your colored concrete will make it look good longer and will help prevent dusting of the surface.

What is better water based or solvent-based concrete sealer?

Solvent-based sealers will generally darken your concrete more than a water-based sealer. This can be ideal when you have a decorative effect you are trying to achieve, but water-based sealers can give a more natural appearance to your concrete. This is ideal when working with uncolored gray concrete.

How do you make stamped concrete look new?

Wash the stamped concrete with our SealGreen Oil Cleaner Degreaser – https://sealgreen.com/oil-cleaner-degreaser-concentrate/ , allow to dry then apply color stain from our color chart – https://sealgreen.com/color-stains/ , allow to dry for at least 24 hours, and seal twice with SealGreen E15 Epoxy Stamped Concrete.

Should you seal old concrete?

A: Yes! Old concrete can be sealed for the first time or resealed if it has been previously sealed with a concrete sealer. You want to make sure all mold, mildew, efflorescence, rust, grease and oil are removed from the concrete before sealing as you do not want to seal these elements into the concrete.

Is sealed stamped concrete slippery?

Yes, Stamped Concrete Can Be Slippery Stamped concrete is more slippery than normal concrete, mainly because concrete comes with a brushed finish that provides a rough texture. Stamped concrete is smooth, therefore more slippery, especially when it is wet.

How long does stamped concrete sealer need to dry before rain?

Curing Period Generally, stamped concrete needs three to five days to dry, but as many as 90 days to fully cure. The surface should not be exposed to rain, even light rain, within the first 36 hours. After that, the surface is able to withstand some water.

Why is my stained concrete turning white?

Why is my concrete turning white? Efflorescence is a white salty residue caused when too much moisture is moving through the concrete. As the concrete dries and its moisture rises upwards through the slab, it brings salts within the concrete to the surface as well.