Shopping for concrete sealer is one of the most difficult tasks to undergo. The big-box chains like Home Depot and Lowe’s do not really offer a wide selection of products, which can make it difficult to find the right product for your particular project. The same goes for local hardware stores, though they often carry random products from local companies that you wouldn’t be able to find in a large retail store. The problem with purchasing products in stores is that the offerings are typically far more limited. Concrete sealers are best chosen with the particular project in mind, as there are a number of different sealing options available.
The smart consumer will shop for concrete sealer online, though this presents its own sort of problems. There are a number of unscrupulous businesses out there that will offer a severely diluted product or products that can hardly pass as concrete sealers. However, these companies are fairly easy to spot for the savvy customer. One of the biggest tip-offs is if the company is an unrecognized name. The same goes for its website – if the website is choppy, old, and inoperable, the company probably does not have the money to spend on a proper website, meaning it likely does not offer a strong product.
Similarly, what claims does the company make? Many companies, even reputable ones, offer concrete sealers that are shipping in their diluted form. This means that these companies pre-mix their concentrated concrete sealer with water to their own ratios before send it out to you, the consumer. While this is not always a bad thing, especially if the company is well established and well-reviewed, a much better option is to purchase concrete sealer in its concentrated form. This allows you to purchase the concrete sealer and mix it yourself, making sure that you aren’t being cheated out of any expensive sealer.
Of course, while you will want to save money, it is a good idea to be prepared to spend a decent amount on a quality concrete sealer. Sure, you could purchase an inexpensive sealer, but you would simply have to reapply sooner than would a more expensive offering. The sealer will likely not even work as advertised, leaving you with concrete at-risk for various ailments. In the concrete sealing business, it is better to spend a little extra money on a product that you know will work, rather than skimping and regretting it later.
Finally, when purchasing a concrete sealer, always be sure to research the manufacturer’s product. The manufacturer’s will include materials like MSDS sheets and technical data sheets on their websites with their products, as required by law. These materials will give you some insight into the product you are considering: What is the ratio of the mixture? Does the product feature some abnormal safety precautions? What is the VOC content? There is plenty of information in these materials to help augment your knowledge and understanding of a quality product.
Our Take: Our go to concrete sealers include brands Scofield, Prosoco, and Kretetek.
