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 washing of concrete is a requirement after the concrete has cured sufficiently, in order to remove surface efflorescence and to open the pores before sealing.
Concrete performs quite adequately if it is never sealed at all, but applying a good quality sealer every few years will extend its life and keep it looking good. This is especially true if you have a stained or etched concrete driveway or patio.
An effective pressure wash cleans the pores of your concrete. Make sure to apply concrete sealer after pressure washing.
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.
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.
Acid-stained concrete is easy to maintain and will last indefinitely. You just need to follow several basic principles: Dust mop or broom sweep weekly to prevent dirt accumulation. Damp mop monthly to remove smudging, scuffs and water marks, and to restore gloss.
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.
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.
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.
Allow acid stain to react with the concrete floor for at least 6 hours. Clean residue and pour water on the floor to approximate the final color. If darker color is desired, apply a second coat. Clean residue from floor with degreaser and neutralizer solution using an acid brush.
Acid-Based Stains
An acid-based stain costs between $0.20 and $0.40 per square foot on average or a total of $2 to $14.50 per square foot with labor. Acid-based stains chemically react with your concrete flooring, giving a natural appearance.
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.
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.
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.
We recommend that all types of exterior concrete should be sealed including plain concrete, exposed aggregate, stamped concrete, stained concrete, integrally coloured concrete, stencilled concrete, engraved concrete and overlays. Each surface lends itself to unique needs when it comes to applying the right sealer.
The Drawbacks of Seal Coating
There are some drawbacks to sealcoating, however. One is that it can be messy and difficult to apply evenly. It's also important to note that sealants will not repair significant damage to your driveway; they will only protect it from further damage.
Not sealing your driveway leads to bitumen loss which leads to water penetrating down to the base causing it to fail which in turn causes potholes and cracks. Once the cracking and pothole cycle begins it's very difficult or impossible to stop.