5 Tips to Avoid Ugly Problems With Concrete Sealers

Concrete sealer is a valuable tool to keep your concrete looking good and performing optimally. However, improper sealer application can make the slab appear worse than it might have been without this final touch. How can you avoid these sealer problems? Here are a few important tips for success.

1. Avoid Moisture

How much moisture is too much when applying sealer? That largely depends on the sealer. In general, you should wait the full curing period recommended by the manufacturer before applying any sealer. Rushing the application could trap leftover moisture between the concrete and sealer, resulting in white or cloudy sections and even flaking of the sealant material.

Even if you wait long enough, you may need to take extra time or measures to avoid doing the work when there is too much moisture in the air. That moisture will interfere with the bonding process, leaving the sealer floating on a layer of water and creating a blushing effect on the concrete. 

2. Apply Evenly

Some of the same problems that moisture causes can also happen if the sealer isn't applied thinly and evenly. Some of the most common effects of uneven application are bubbling and whitening. Spread out the sealer in a methodical manner from one direction to the other while also stretching and smoothing it as you go. Apply a second layer perpendicular to the first to help create even coverage. 

3. Test a Section

Color variations, light and dark patches, blotches, and other appearance issues can happen for several reasons. Some of these factors are hard to know in advance. Sealer accentuates the natural variety in the material itself, chemical makeup varies by mix, and each person has their own techniques during installation.

All this means you may want to test a small portion with the sealer before covering the entire slab. This section should be somewhat inconspicuous but also have the same general characteristics as the main slab so that you get useful results. Then, apply what you learn over the larger project. 

4. Use Correct Sealers

The right materials make everything look and work better. Sealer is no exception to this rule, so understand your conditions, your concrete materials, and your goals before selecting an appropriate sealing product. 

Sealers come in a range of materials and recommended uses. You wouldn't want to use a sealer designed for interior use on an exterior patio, driveway, or sidewalk which is subjected to the elements all year round. Similarly, water based sealers may not set well in humid areas where they cannot properly coalesce. And decorative concrete sealers may not be able to handle as much moisture as other sealers. 

5. Watch the Temperature

Apply sealer when the temperature is in the optimal range for that material. This varies, but it should be neither too cold nor too hot. When the sealer is applied under a blazing sun or in high temperatures, the surface may dry earlier than the underlying solvent and trap bubbles inside the layers. Low temperatures, on the other hand, may cause crusting in the top sealer layer that also traps moisture and leads to whitening. 

Where Can You Learn More?

Do you want more help selecting the right sealer, applying it properly, and fixing any problems which do arise? Meet with the team at MaCon Supply.

We provide a wide range of concrete supplies and materials for any job. And we can help you make the most of them. Visit one of our eight locations throughout Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Washington today. Our quality products combined with construction experience will give you the edge you need to ensure beautiful and long-lasting concrete.