Other reactive penetrating sealants (silanes and siloxanes) and most high-performance coatings, such as epoxies and urethanes, should only be applied after the concrete is fully cured (usually 28 days). Almost all sealants can be applied after the concrete is 28 days old. Wait at least 30 days before sealing a new concrete surface, whether indoors or outdoors, so that it has time to dry completely first. For best results, the concrete surface must be clean and dry.
This means that there should be no rain in the week's forecast if you work outdoors on a patio, bench or sidewalk. You'll also want to wait until you're sure the temperature will stay between 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. While it may be tempting to apply concrete sealant to the driveway immediately after pouring it, this is never recommended. There is excess moisture in the concrete that must evaporate during the curing process.
The full cure process normally takes about a month before the concrete is solid and ready to be sealed. Applying the sealant to wet concrete will cause problems, Sacco adds, since the sealant can fog up. Sacco also suggests that, once the concrete is completely dry, avoid applying the sealant during the heat of the day. What often happens, he says, is that concrete cleaning happens in the morning and then dries out around noon.
However, applying the sealant when the sun is directly on the head can give the sealant a plastic shine. He recommends waiting until later in the afternoon to apply the sealant. Many experts agree that concrete floors should be sealed every 2-5 years to preserve and protect your floor. Of course, the amount of time between application of the sealant can depend on many different circumstances.
Only you know how long your floor can hold between applications. The mixing process also helps with the curing process, which is where the concrete gradually hardens to make it solid and strong. Whether you're a DIY homeowner looking for a driveway sealer or garage floor covering, or a commercial contractor looking to seal a bridge deck or warehouse, Foundation Armor has a product for your application. Once the concrete has been mixed and poured, it must stand for a period of time before it completely hardens.
In addition, if a sealant is applied on a different brand of sealant, most manufacturers recommend removing all traces of previously used sealants, since the products may not be compatible. While many people use the term “cement” to refer to concrete, this is actually misleading, since it is simply an ingredient in concrete. The market for concrete sealants is full of products that profess the same level of protection, quality and benefits. Without a constant level of temperature and humidity, concrete will crack from too much moisture or dry out and crumble.
The typical coverage rate is 250 to 300 square feet per gallon, depending on the porosity of the concrete. You can use a pressure washer to remove stains, but you should be careful to avoid damaging the concrete by not holding the end of the pressure washer rod too close to the cement. If you sealed the concrete before, it would create a barrier and prevent excess moisture from evaporating properly.
