How to Remove Sealer From Concrete Walls

Removing sealer from concrete is not an easy thing to do, unless the proper chemical or cleaner is used. The sealer is not just on the concrete, it is in the concrete, so it cannot just be scraped off. It needs to be dissolved first.Many strong chemicals can be used to remove sealer from concrete but not all will remove all of the sealer and many are toxic. The best way to remove sealer is with a citrus degreaser because it will actually dissolve the sealer. It is safe for the environment and has a nice fragrance that is not toxic. The amount of time and amount of work required to remove sealer depends on the age of the sealer and whether it is interior or exterior. Citrus degreaser can be found at professional construction supply stores or from concrete sealer manufacturers. If you know what to buy, citrus degreasers can be purchased online as well.Removing sealer from concrete is fairly easy with this method but it is easier to do on floors than it is to do on walls. The process is the same but the application method is different because, depending on the height of the walls, equipment on long extension poles and ladders may need to be employed.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Safety glasses
• Gloves (optional)
• Masking tape material
• Citrus degreaser
• Water brush with a long pole
• Bucket of water
• String or sponge mop with a long pole
• Buffer or polisher with a scrub pad and a long pole
• Scrub brush with a long pole
• Wet & dry shopvac
• Ladder (optional)
• For exterior:
• Multipurpose sprayer (Chapin recommended) with a long pole
• Power washer with a long pole

Removing Sealer from Interior Concrete

1. Tape off any areas not being degreased with masking tape.

2. Apply the citrus degreaser with a water brush and lightly brush in until it is evenly spread. Do larger areas as you feel comfortable.

3. Allow the degreaser to sit 30 minutes or longer.

4. Apply clean water with a mop. Allow the water to just fall onto the area where the degreaser was applied.

5. Scrub the area well with a buffer.

6. Scrub tight corners with scrub brushes.

7. Repeat Step 2 through Step 6 and apply more degreaser and let it sit longer, if, while scrubbing, it becomes very slick.

8. Suck up the excess sealer, degreaser, and water with a shopvac.

Removing Sealer from Exterior Concrete

9. Tape any areas not being degreased with masking tape.

10. Apply the citrus degreaser with a until it is evenly spread across the concrete.

11. Allow the degreaser to sit 30 minutes or longer.

12. Apply clean water with a mop. Allow the water to just fall onto the area where the degreaser was applied.

13. Scrub the area well with a buffer.

14. Scrub tight corners with scrub brushes.

15. Repeat Step 2 through Step 6 and apply more degreaser and let it sit longer, if, while scrubbing, it becomes very slick.

16. Wash the excess sealer, degreaser, and water with a power washer.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't try to rush the time that time that the citrus degreaser is allowed to sit on the concrete because it takes time for the sealer to be broken up.
• Safety glasses should be used to prevent substances from falling into your eyes.
• Gloves are recommended to provide a good grip on the equipment and prevent chemicals from touching your hands.

Resources

• Citrus degreasers on Amazon