This will help the sealer to penetrate and result in a superior bond between the sealer and the surface. Sealing after acid washing provides long lasting durability and enhances or deepens the colour of your blocks, it is important to seal the acid washed area as it offers excellent protection against staining.
If the surface is more than 5 days old, a light acid wash and pressure clean are required prior to sealing. Acid etch with hydrochloric acid. Dilute 20 parts water to 1 part Dulux Avista Hydrochloric Acid (depending on porosity) to remove any loosely bound cement and laitance.
An unsealed concrete floor is going to be more reactive and sensitive to changes in temperature. It will freeze in cold climates and expand in warm ones. This can cause crumbling, chipping, and cracking.
The acid stops reacting with the concrete after approximately 30 seconds so there is no need to scrub the surfaces for too long.
When you leave your concrete warehouse floors unsealed, the concrete will produce flecks of concrete dust that can coat machinery, create a dirty work environment, wreck havoc on manufacturing, and even cause health issues. It's simply unavoidable and a very real issue unless you seal the floors.
While you can expect that sort of life from your concrete, you'll likely end up replacing it sooner if you don't protect it. Without sealant, it'll suffer from discoloration, cracking or even crumbling. But when you opt to seal your concrete, you increase the chance that your concrete will last for those 25-30 years.
Start by saturating the stained concrete surface with a product like ProClean Neutralizer™. This helps neutralize the acid stain and prepares the surface for thorough cleaning. 2. Gently scrub the neutralizer into the concrete using a soft nylon bristle brush, taking care to wear your spiked shoes during this process.
Though new concrete may not always require a second coat of acid stain, older concrete does require two coats of stain for complete coverage. For a more diffuse look, spray the stain onto the surface without brushing.
Worse than the inadequacies of the acid wash process are the dangers of it. Over time, it can destroy concrete as the acid weakens its structure.
Concrete can be described as a hard sponge that soaks up oil and water-based spills. Easily marked by tires and outdoor elements, it is important to seal the surface, so it looks beautiful year-round. The other benefit to sealing concrete is improved cleaning and maintenance.
It's Never Too Late …
Sealing your garage floor might not be possible if you have moisture in your garage. This is typically the only scenario where we don't recommend sealing right away, mainly because you should deal with the cause of the moisture first. It could be due to a plumbing leak or a drainage issue.
A: Yes! Old concrete can be sealed for the first time or resealed if it has been previously sealed with a concrete sealer. Before sealing old concrete you want to make sure you determine if the concrete has been previously sealed.
Concrete Cleaning and Sealing: DIY vs.
DIY is certainly the cheaper option; homeowners will typically spend between $0.20 and $0.75 per square foot when cleaning and sealing concrete themselves, whereas that cost increases to between $1.20 and $1.75 per square foot when left to a professional.
The instructions with most acid stains (as well as concrete sealers and coatings) say to wait at least 28 days after pouring a slab before finishing it, with some recommending as long as 60 days.
Decorative concrete expert Jason Geiser, of Deco-Crete Supply, acid washes an area of concrete to lighten the color of stain. Acid washing is the process of removing the top layer off a concrete surface to open its pores and provide a clean slate for a coating.
The reason for washing the residue is to neutralize the acid. So long as you properly neutralize and rinse the concrete well a couple of times, it should be fine. Note: If you do not properly neutralize the stain, then the sealer will lose it's bond, which will then have to be stripped and re-applied.
Allow the acid stain to penetrate the entire concrete surface and fully develop its color for from 5 to 24 hours (check manufacturer's instructions for exact timing). The longer you leave the acid stain on, the deeper the final hue will be.
How deep does the acid stain react through the concrete surface? Concrete thickness can vary from ¼” to over 3′. However, depending on the finish (how it was troweled) and porosity of the concrete surface, the penetration of the acid reaction may be only 1/16″ – 3/16″.
Acid stains penetrate the porous concrete through a chemical reaction. The acid in the stain reacts with the concrete lime and inorganic metal salts. This chemical reaction creates a permanent color change.
Allow the stain to dry for a full 8 hours or overnight before neutralizing the stain. This will ensure the stain penetrates into the surface completely.
Once that stain chemically reacts for a minimum of four to six hours—typically, you'll leave an acid stain overnight—it brings salts to the surface. All of these salts are like a powdery residue.
After discussing the factors you need to look for and the regional location of the project, in broad terms, Spring is in fact the best time of year to seal concrete. With its moderate temperatures and humidity levels, it tends to provide ideal conditions for the application and curing of sealers.
Sealing your concrete isn't really a labor-intensive, nor costly, job. By sealing your concrete every 2-5 years, as recommended by experts, you should keep your floor in good shape, preventing cracks, pitting, and additional damage.