Concrete Sealers

Sealers are applied to concrete surfaces to protect them from the elements and extend their useful lifespans. There are two main types of sealers: film-forming varieties that enhance the surface with color and sheen, and penetrating sealers that go into the concrete’s pores and seemingly disappear.

New Countertop Sealers Do More Than Just Protect

Concrete Sealers Concrete Countertops Vol. 7 No. 2 - March/April 2007 by Sue Poremba Comments are Disabled

More demand means better ingredients — but are they really all that different from floor sealers?

The ideal concrete countertop sealer is a product that provides protection from stains, looks and feels like bare concrete and is safe to use.

Lap Lines and Roller Marks When Sealing Concrete

Concrete Coatings Concrete Sealers Vol. 10 No. 4 - May/June 2010 by Chris Sullivan Comments are Disabled

Sealing concrete can be frustrating! Roller marks and their cousins, "lap lines," are just two of those frustrating problems that can plague professional decorative installers.

Selecting a Concrete Sealer is as Easy as S.A.P.

Concrete Coatings Concrete Sealers Vol. 12 No. 4 - May/June 2012 by Chris Sullivan Comments are Disabled

A very noticeable trend with decorative concrete over the last decade is that the end users and the design community have become much better educated, not only on the types of finishes and products available, but also on how they are installed and what to expect in terms of long-term performance.

Concrete Questions: Can You Restore Solvent-Based Concrete Sealers?

Concrete Repair & Restoration Concrete Sealers Vol. 13 No. 4 - May/June 2013 by Chris Sullivan Comments are Disabled

Question: I have a 5-year-old stamped concrete patio that has not been resealed since being installed. The sealer is cloudy in some areas and in other areas looks like there is no sealer at all. Do I need to reseal or is there something I can do to bring back the original look and luster of the sealer?

Water-beading Characteristics Add to Penetrating Seals’ Appeal

Concrete Sealers Vol. 19 No. 1 - January 2019 by Stacey Enesey Klemenc Comments are Disabled

Across the country, there’s a trend afoot when it comes to what people are seeking for their outdoor projects. “They want a natural look that delivers penetrating protection,” says Chris Sullivan, decorative concrete specialist for the American Society of Concrete Contractors and the vice president of sales and marketing for ChemSystems Inc. based in Houston, Texas.

Using the Right Sealer for Your Climate

Concrete Sealers Vol. 19 No. 1 - January 2019 by Stacey Enesey Klemenc Comments are Disabled

For years, Tyler Stephens, owner of Stephens Concrete Sealing in Indianapolis, used to use your typical film-forming sealer on his outdoor concrete projects. “It left a little sheen behind and had nice curb appeal, but it didn’t bead water the way penetrating sealers do,” he says.

Should You Reseal Exterior Decorative Concrete?

Concrete Coatings Concrete Sealers Vol. 16 No. 1 - January 2016 by Chris Sullivan Comments are Disabled

Resealing exterior stamped concrete, stained concrete or decorative concrete is probably the most misunderstood and least-studied process in our industry. It has the potential to be a repeat revenue stream or a headache that never really goes away.

Should You Seal Concrete Now or Hold Off for Warmer Days?

Tips & How-Tos Concrete Sealers Vol. 19 No. 1 - January 2019 by Chris Sullivan Comments are Disabled

In my experience, sealer issues caused by cold weather don’t occur in the northern “cold climates” but rather in the more temperate or “shoulder” regions that have transition seasons. They also tend to happen in warm climates that may experience cold weather for only brief periods of time.

Concrete Sealers At-A-Glance

Vol. 3 No. 3 - June/July 2003 Concrete Sealers by Concrete Decor Staff Comments are Disabled

Characteristics of concrete sealers vary depending on the specific formulation, but typically the following applies to these most commonly used concrete sealers:

Don’t Let Ghosting Haunt Your Concrete Work

Concrete Coatings Concrete Sealers Vol. 16 No. 8 - November/December 2016 by Chris Sullivan Comments are Disabled

My contractor placed blue painter’s tape on the concrete for a few days to mark the placement of cabinetry. The tape was removed and the concrete was sealed with two coats of 25 percent solids acrylic sealer and two coats of acrylic finish. A few days later the concrete was discolored and had evidence of where the tape had been placed. No surface damage to the concrete was evident.