Sealed concrete is also more slippery when wet because it is not porous at all which is why it is often necessary to add non slip materials into the top coat of a sealed floor.
Applying a thin coat of sealer will provide just as much water resistance as a thick coat, but it will be much less slippery. Using too much sealer can not only make the concrete slippery, but also lead to a problem called “blushing” or “hazing” in which a whitish film forms on the surface of the concrete.
The slip resistance of concrete flooring varies, but a typical dry unfinished concrete surface may have an SCOF of 0.8. Sealed concrete generally has a lower (more slippery) measurement. Wet surfaces will usually be more slippery still. Wet concrete has been measured by the government at as low as 0.16.
ANTI-SLIP CONDITIONERS FOR POLISHED CONCRETE
Mop on an anti-slip grip additive such as SlipDoctors Polish Grip. There's no quicker or easier solution than a slip-resistant coating to make wet surfaces safer.
Polished concrete is (generally) NOT slippery when wet.
Generally speaking, the disadvantages of polished concrete floors are very few. They involve things like discoloration, stains that are deeply embedded in the concrete, or imprints made when the concrete slab was initially poured.
The best temporary measure for dealing with slippery sealed surfaces is to broadcast sand over the affected areas. Also, using concrete-friendly snowmelt chemicals in conjunction with the sand helps eliminate snow or ice that can make a slippery surface even more dangerous.
Some of the things you don't want to use on your polished concrete flooring include: Vinegar. Windex. Swiffer products.
However, if you use low quality concrete sealers, the surface may become slippery. Some sealers have high solid content which fills the pores on the concrete. In that case, a solid layer is formed on the surface of the pavement that becomes slippery when exposed to wetness.
How long after sealing concrete can you walk on it? After applying the concrete sealer, avoid walking on the surface for 4-12 hours to allow the sealer to settle into the concrete's pores and to refuse moisture.
The sealers for interior floors last between five and 10 years compared to the typical two years a sealer will last on a driveway subjected to harsh year-round weather elements. You can easily charge from $1.50 to $3 a square foot to seal interior concrete.
These can last up to 25 years in some cases, but we recommend re-sealing concrete driveways every 5-10 years. Ultimately, longevity depends on the specific sealer you choose, the climate, the surface type, and the amount of pressure the surface experiences over time.
Leaving concrete unsealed will leave it with a flat look. The color will remain flatter and dull, in addition to the concrete remaining porous and easier to damage. Sealing the concrete will enhance the colors and give it more of a marble or mottled look, smoother and with richer colors.
Harsh detergents and cleaners commonly used for other types of flooring (such as Pine-Sol, bleach, and vinegar) are not the right pH and should not be used on concrete floors with a sealed surface. We recommend our own pH neutral, no-rinse cleaner specifically created for sealed concrete floors, CPI DecoClean.
You'll just use a mop and a bucket of water mixed with a mild cleaner. Don't use ammonia, bleach or any highly acidic substance on polished or stamped floors. Some good cleaners include Castile soap, liquid dish detergent, stone cleaners and mild floor cleaners.
Never use ammonia, bleach, Mop & Glow, Pine-Sol, Lysol, or citrus-based products on polished concrete floors. Do not use a Swiffer WetJet-style cleaning tool on polished concrete, since the liquid in these devices contains trace amounts of solvents.
High Gloss Concrete Sealer for Indoor Concrete Spaces
One of the dangers of using a high-gloss sealer is that it can become incredibly slippery when wet.
As we noted earlier, concrete sealers produce a very smooth surface on top of the concrete once it has fully cured, which gives your driveway valuable resistance to water, oil, and stains.
Never use cleaners such as Pine-Sol, ammonia, vinegar, or bleach as they will dull, discolor or etch polished concrete and stained concrete floors.
Non-Slip Additives
Silica, plastic grit, and other forms of clear crystal are the common grit additives used. This coating is applied to wet areas and those with heavy traffic.
“You can successfully use acrylic sealers on stamped concrete, but use one with low solids and a slip-resistant additive,” she says. Her company has been successfully using Certi-Vex AC1315, a slip-resistant acrylic sealer from Vexcon Chemicals.
Polished concrete flooring is relatively easy to maintain. You just have to dust mop or broom sweep daily to prevent dirt accumulation.