In fact, it's really quite easy to remove concrete sealer. The first, and in our opinion easiest, way to remove concrete sealer is a powerful pressure washer. If it's powerful enough, the pressure of the water will easily strip away any type of concrete sealer.
I asked Bryan if he could give us some insight on what it takes to actually remove a coat of sealer from concrete. He recommends starting with 2,000 psi and stepping it up to no more than 4,500 psi. The temperature of the water varies but is vital in this removal method.
However, vinegar isn't strong enough to remove concrete sealant. Sealants can resist acid, and vinegar is a much weaker acid than chemical removal agents. And worse, vinegar can damage concrete by dulling it and causing pitting.
Acrylic Concrete Sealers: Acrylic sealers last 1-3 years before they need to be re-coated. Epoxy Coatings: Epoxy coatings last 5-10 years before they need to be re-coated. Urethane Coatings: Urethane coatings last 5-10 years before they need to be re-coated.
Experts who recommend having a concrete surface sealed are doing their customers a big favor. Without this extra layer of protection, concrete will absorb moisture and may begin to crack, spall, flake, and discolor, among other things.
Smooth Concrete Sealer Basics
Penetrating Sealers soak into porous concrete and masonry and create a permanent chemical reaction. They offer a flat appearance and protection that will only wear away if the substrate itself wears away below the level of sealer penetration.
Solvent-Based Concrete Sealer Remover Coating Stripper FastStrip Plus™ FastStrip Plus is a high-powered, solvent-based concrete sealer remover for heavy coatings and the most difficult to remove sealers. Specially formulated to be used indoors or out, wherever water can be used to flush off the sealer.
A solvent like xylene is effective at removing acrylic from concrete. It dissolves (“softens”) the acrylic and allows for removal. However, solvents such as xylene have a harsh smell, are flammable, dangerous for your skin, and shouldn't be used around children, pets and plants.
When the sealer is applied too heavily, the air displaced through the surface can't escape, and it forms a bubble in the sealer surface. Bubbling of a sealer can also occur if application is done in hot weather, or if the concrete is in direct sun.
Soda blasting, a less aggressive mechanical method, has become more widely used in recent years to remove sealers and coatings successfully. Soda blasting utilizes special high-pressure blasting equipment with commercial-grade baking soda granules as the blasting medium.
A simple floor stripper or paint and epoxy remover is something you can use to remove asphalt sealer. A caveat, though: you can only use paint and epoxy remover on concrete, metal, wood, and masonry. Do not use this on vehicles and walls as the product could strip the clear coat or paint off.
The removal of old concrete sealer can be done in one of two ways: mechanical or chemical. The mechanical way involves using some kind of tool to physically grind, sand, or blast away the sealer.
The easiest way to remove a concrete sealer is to begin by acid etching the surface of the concrete with muriatic acid. This process can be dangerous if you are unfamiliar with it; however, it is well within the ability of any ordinary homeowner, as long as the proper care is taken.
5. Clear Concrete Sealers. Clear concrete sealers are products to stop water leaks in concrete walls or block walls. Once absorbed into the concrete they fill the pores and blocks moisture from coming through the concrete matrix.
This is true of both penetrating and topical sealers. Penetrating sealers usually fully dry for traffic in less than 24 hours with topical sealers generally taking up to 48 hours to fully dry for traffic.
Can I paint over the concrete sealer? You cannot paint over a topical sealer, so if you are painting, it must take place before the chemicals are used to seal. Concrete sealers come in many tints and will protect the paint underneath and avoid stains.
Turn off all gas and heat sources. Then pour Xylene or a citrus stripper onto the concrete. Let it sit until the sealer is softened. Apply more Xylene or stripper and scrub the sealer using a stiff straw scrub brush on a broom handle, until the solution re-liquifies.
The application of a sealant helps extend the life of outdoor concrete by making it more resistant. It reinforces the density and hardness of the material, significantly increasing its tensile strength. This helps prevent cracks, scaling and water damage.
Subsurface moisture may not be easily discernable but cause sealer to dry brown in spots or small areas as it evaporates through the pavement. In many cases these areas will follow surface grades for drainage or be adjacent to storm water collection basins that otherwise appear to be dry.
Sealers, particularly solvent-based sealers, will darken concrete. If unevenly applied, it will create light areas where there is less sealer, and darker areas where there's more. If applied by sprayer, it may appear like “stripes”. Uneven roller application may leave darkened roller marks.
One of the biggest disadvantages of concrete driveway sealing is the cost. The materials and labor required to seal a concrete driveway properly can be expensive. In addition, concrete driveways that are improperly sealed can trap moisture underneath the surface, which can lead to problems such as mold and mildew.
Sealing concrete also enhances its appearance, giving it a much smoother and better-looking surface, which ultimately increases the value of your property. Overall, there are numerous advantages that come with properly sealing your concrete surface - not least of which is time saved on costly repairs!