Our Commercial Concrete Floor Sealing Installation Process
Step 1: Clean the Concrete
The concrete cleaning process involves thoroughly sweeping the floor to make sure all dirt or debris is removed. This will be followed by a good washdown.
Step 2: Remove Old Sealer
Before applying a new sealer, it is vital to make sure the old concrete floor sealer is completely gone. Leaving the remnants of an old sealer can decrease the effectiveness of the newly applied sealant, which may prevent proper adhesion to the concrete surface.
Removing an old concrete sealer can be done in one of two ways, such as mechanical or chemical. The mechanical way involves the use of a tool to physically grind, sand, or blast away the sealer, which can be noisy and damaging to the concrete.
The other method to remove sealer from a concrete floor is chemically and there is a variety of choices when it comes to which products one can use.
Step 3: Apply the Sealant
When applying a concrete sealant it is best to apply two thin coats, making sure the sealer doesn’t create puddles or form areas that seem uneven. The first coat of any concrete sealer is normally absorbed into the concrete at different rates leaving the substrate unevenly sealed, which makes two coats important.
The first coat of sealer acts like a primer and most of it will disappear into the concrete surface, whereas the second thin coat will provide an even finish, color enhancement, and gloss.
Step 4: Allow for drying
When using an acrylic sealer, the surface will be dry in approximately 4-12 hours, whereas stamped concrete sealer needs to stay dry for the first 36 hours. It is important to try and avoid water for 3-5 days.