The average price range for concrete cleaning and sealing services is $1,250 to $1,750, with customers paying an average $1,500. The exact cost homeowners will pay is affected by the size and location of the concrete area, the chosen cleaning method, the type and amount of sealer used, among other factors.
The cost to install acid stains is around $2 to $6 per square foot for basic designs or $12 to $25 per square foot for complex colors and patterns. Acid stains, also called reactive stains, contain hydrochloric acid and metallic salts that chemically react with concrete to produce earthy colors.
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.
So while you don't have to seal concrete, if you do, you will be enhancing and protecting the look of the concrete while extending it's lifespan considerably.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 surface must be sufficiently dry and firm enough to walk on without marking and there must not be any free water present. If the surface is more than 5 days old, a light acid wash and pressure clean are required prior to sealing.
The answer is: yes, you can acid stain old concrete. The process for acid staining old concrete is not all that different from staining new concrete with a few exceptions. Below, we will walk you through how to stain old concrete and the differences from how to stain new concrete.
An attractive and expertly finished garage floor can greatly improve the aesthetics of your home's interior and add to the overall appeal. It not only increases the functionality of your property but also maximizes the resale value when you decide to sell your home someday down the road.
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″.
If the concrete dries during the acid washing process, it should be wet again before applying acid to the surface. areas should be missed, ensuring that the reaction is visible over the entire surface. Avoid walking on areas that have been worked already.
DIY kits usually include an acid wash. This will remove a thin layer of the concrete's surface, but it will be impervious to it if the stain is any deeper. The acid wash also doesn't remove water-insoluble materials such as oily deposits or previous coatings.
Average pool acid wash cost is $450, with prices ranging from $400 to $500 for a pool measuring 500 square feet, according to Improvenet.com in the US in 2022. Of course, prices will vary based on location, size of the pool and the time of the year.
Concrete should be sealed to protect from mold and mildew.
When this moisture doesn't dry and the surface is left wet for an extended period of time, mildew begins to form and mold begins to grow. You'll know you have mold growing on your concrete by the greenish color that appears.
One of the main benefits of sealing your driveway is that it will help protect the concrete from weather damage. Over time, exposure to the sun and rain can cause the concrete to crack and crumble. By sealing the concrete, you will create a barrier that will help prolong your driveway's life.
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.
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.
When properly designed and installed, acid-stained concrete and decorative concrete overlays are almost completely unaffected by water.
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.
During the late afternoon, any moisture present from condensation or morning dew will have evaporated off during the day. Also, both the surface temperature and air temperature are declining, creating a more favorable environment for concrete sealers to properly bond to the substrate and cure.
Sealer that is applied too heavily or too often will create an impermeable barrier and trap that water vapor beneath it. If enough pressure is created by trapped water vapor, the sealer can delaminate from the concrete surface, and might even take some of the concrete paste with it!