How or why do you seal concrete?

Why is concrete sealing important?  Sealing protects the concrete from spaulding- or deteriorating.  Concrete should be sealed every 3-5 years, either with a topical coating or a penetrating-topical coating.  Sealing helps protect colored or regular concrete to protect the life concrete.

The best sealer is a penetrating-topical sealer because it penetrates to solidify the calcium and shell in the concrete.  It also acts as a top coat.  A top coat ensures water and salts don’t penetrate- giving it strength and protection.

On new concrete, the first seal should be applied one year after it has been poured.  On existing concrete it should be applied as soon as you move in or as soon as you realize it hasn’t been sealed. 

Topical sealers wear more quickly then the penetrating-topical.  It’s worth the investment to spend a little more on the penetrating-topical as it requires fewer applications.

Sealing is like changing your oil in the car- it is a maintenance program for your concrete!