Q: How often do you have to seal stamped concrete?
A: Stamped concrete is concrete that is textured and/or patterned to resemble stone, brick, flagstone etc. It can be colored using a stain, dye or integrally colored with pigments. If the stamped concrete has been colored a lot of times a sealer will be used to enhance the colors, patterns and the textures. Solvent based acrylics are popular choices to seal stamped concrete. Solvent based acrylic concrete sealers are topical in nature so they need to be reapplied every year to every few years. This can be extended if deicing salts are not used on the surface.
If a stamped concrete sealer is used around a pool deck it will usually need to be resealed every season. This is because the chemicals in the water or the salts in the pool water will wear away at the coating over time. The water will sit on the stamped concrete and break down the sealer. The good news is that the sealer is taking all of the abuse which means that the stamped concrete itself remains protected and in tact.
Solvent based acrylic concrete sealers will last longer than water based acrylic concrete sealers. Solvent based sealers will also provide a deeper enhancement and gloss. Additives can be mixed into solvent based acrylic sealers to bring down the sheen and non slip additives can be mixed into for added traction especially around pool decks. Water based acrylic concrete sealers will leave a lower sheen and do not provide as much color enhancement. They are less slippery when wet and are ideal for states with VOC restrictions.
Penetrating concrete sealers on the other hand do not provide any enhancement to the stamped concrete; however, they are able to last much longer. The stamped concrete will retain its natural appearance without any gloss or sheen but the penetrating concrete sealer will protect from spalling, cracking and mold for up to ten years before needing to be resealed. The sacrifice of using a penetrating concrete sealer on stamped concrete would be the clear, natural finish and the lack of sheen or gloss.
Q: How Many Square Feet Does Concrete Sealer Cover
A: Square footage is going to depending on a number of factors including what type of concrete sealer you are using, the surface profile of the concrete and how many coats of concrete sealer you are applying.
Penetrating concrete sealers do just as their name implies, they penetrate deep into the concrete providing protection from the inside out. Penetrating concrete sealers do not leave a surface film and they do not provide any enhancement. They do; however, go a long way. Penetrating concrete sealers have a watery consistency, a lot of times because their viscosity is very close to water on the centipoise scale. Penetrating concrete sealers will typically cover anywhere from 100 – 400 square feet per gallon. Two coats are usually recommended so this will cut the coverage amount in half to 50 – 200 square feet per gallon for 2 coats.
Concrete coatings, epoxy floor coatings and urethane coatings have a thicker viscosity and the coverage rate will vary based on the mils (one thousandth of an inch) thickness they are applied at. Some durable concrete coatings are applied over 20 mils in thickness and would constitute a high build system where as some durable coatings are applied at 5 mils in thickness which would constitute a thin build system. You can get anywhere from 100-600 square feet per gallon out of a durable coating. You usually apply one coat of primer and one coat of topcoat.
Decorative concrete sealers and coatings are usually applied in a single coat with the square footage per gallon varying depending on the porosity and substrate and if the concrete has been previously sealed. For example, pavers are going to be a lot more porous than hand troweled concrete and the square footage per gallon of sealer is not going to go as far. Also in most cases if concrete has never been sealed it will be extremely porous and require additional coats of sealer. Decorative concrete sealers usually cover anywhere from 100-400 square feet per gallon.
Q: Is concrete sealer toxic?
A: Concrete sealers are available in three different forms: water based, solvent based and 100% actives/100% solids. The toxicity of a concrete sealer will depend on its chemical components. Generally speaking solvent based concrete sealers are going to be more toxic than water based concrete sealers. By viewing the SDS (Safety Data Sheet) you can view the hazardous statements and the precautionary statements associated with the product. Concrete sealers also contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are emitted from liquid chemicals. Water based concrete sealers contain less VOC’s than solvent based sealers. VOC’s can be dangerous, have strong odors and result in adverse health effects.
That being said, solvent based concrete sealers tend to outperform and outlast water based concrete sealers. Water and solvents are used in concrete sealers to carry the active ingredients into the substrate and solvents are able to penetrate deeper and bond better. Solvent based concrete sealers can be more expensive than water based products. Now a days VOC regulations are set on a state level. Certain states are more strict with the amount of VOC’s allowed in a product for retail sale. For example certain areas of California have a VOC limit of 100 g/L. This makes it hard when shopping for a concrete sealer since manufacturers will not sell certain products to certain states. There are however, certain exempts solvents which are still allowed despite their VOC content.
Q: Do I Need Concrete Sealer?
A: Yes! You need concrete sealer like peanut butter needs jelly. Concrete sealer is the most important and often forgotten component of the concrete installation process. Many people choose to forgo this step because their budget has been maxed or because they see no need for it. Contractors will typically install a concrete slab but then leave the sealing to the homeowner. Homeowners are often uneducated to the benefits and the necessity of using a concrete sealer.
Do I need a concrete sealer on a concrete driveway? Concrete driveways that are exposed to deicing salts and chlorides in northern climates are most at risk of degradation. Road salts will wreck havoc on concrete causing spalling, pitting, cracking and decay. By using a penetrating concrete sealer of a silane or a silane/siloxane chemistry a driveway will retain its integrity and be protected for 3-10 years.
Do I need a concrete sealer in a basement? Concrete sealers are great at keeping basements dry and free of humidity and the musty “basement” smell. The best type of treatment will depend on the amount of moisture present in the concrete and if the sealing is preventative or reactive. If the concrete is dry and there has never been a moisture issue, penetrating concrete sealers are a great option. If the concrete is wet, damp, or has had mold in the past, a moisture vapor barrier is going to be your best bet. A moisture vapor barrier is a great option before installing flooring since they are guaranteed to keep wood flooring, carpet and tile dry for years to come. They are pricey but a worthwhile investment especially if you cost out the expense of replacing the damaged flooring.
Do I need a concrete sealer on a patio? Using a patio sealer is great if you are looking to protect newly installed pavers or if you are looking to protect a concrete stain from uv rays and weathering. Concrete patio sealers are protective but can also be decorative enhancing the concrete give a high gloss, wet look or satin finish.
Looking for a concrete sealer product recommendation? Check out the review Best Concrete Sealer.
Q: How Much Does it Cost to Seal a Concrete Driveway?
A: The cost of sealing a concrete driveway is going to depend on whether you are looking to hire a contractor to do the sealing or if you are looking to do the sealing yourself. Most concrete sealers these days are extremely DIY friendly. VOC regulations (volatile organic compounds, or how smelly a product will be) are relatively low and concrete sealers do not usually require a respirator or special equipment.
If you decide the task is too much of an undertaking and you hire a contractor the cost is going to be significantly more. You are not only paying the product cost but you are also paying for the concrete surface preparation, product application and cleanup. Most contractors usually charge about $1 a square foot to do the actual sealing. If the concrete does not need any surface preparation the job can usually be done in one day.
The product cost is going to vary based on the type of concrete sealer that is used. If you are using a decorative concrete sealer like an acrylic or urethane the product cost can vary anywhere from $0.25- $0.50 a square foot. If you are using a penetrating concrete sealer the cost ranges anywhere from $0.20 to $0.75 a square foot.
So how much does it cost to seal a concrete driveway? If you hire a contractor the cost is about $1.20 -$1.75 a square foot. If you decide to seal the concrete yourself the cost is about $0.20-$0.75 a square foot. If you decide to use an acrylic concrete sealer or a decorative sealer that will give a gloss or wet look finish, keep in mind that these products need to be reapplied every few years. If you decide to use a penetrating concrete sealer they only need to be reapplied every 5-10 years.
If you decide to embark on the sealing process read our How to Seal Concrete article which goes over the step by step application process.
Q: What Do You Use to Seal Concrete?
A: A concrete sealer is used to seal concrete! If you are looking for a product specific recommendation check out our Best Concrete Sealer recommendations.
In order to determine “what do you use to seal concrete” and what type of concrete sealer is best for your application you need to decide what type of finish you are looking for and what type of protection you are looking for. If you are looking to seal a basement from water you are going to want to use a penetrating waterproofing sealer or a moisture reducing epoxy floor coating. If you are looking to seal a paver patio or a stamped concrete patio and you are looking to make the colors darker and wet looking you are going to want to use a solvent based acrylic concrete sealer. If you are looking to protect your driveway from spalling, cracking, road salts and staining you are going to want to use a penetrating water, salt and oil repellent concrete sealer. If a concrete garage floor is what you are looking to seal, you are going to want to use a durable concrete coating for a glossy, easy to clean, dustproof surface, or a penetrating salt, oil and stain repellent concrete sealer if you are looking to keep the garage floor natural.
Before using a concrete sealer you want to make sure the concrete is properly clean and prepped. Surface preparation is one of the most important steps when it comes to sealing the concrete. If the concrete is contaminated and full of grease and debris the sealer is not going to be able to penetrate into the concrete. If there is not good surface profile a concrete coating is not going to be able to properly bond with the concrete and will be at high risk of delamination. If you are going to be applying a penetrating concrete sealer you are going to want to use a concrete degreaser or an etcher to clean the concrete. If a previous concrete sealer was used you are probably going to need to remove it in order to apply a new concrete sealer. If you are going to be applying an epoxy floor coating you are going to need to grind the concrete.