How to Cure & Seal with Concrete Sealer

Sealing concrete prevents future damage.

The surface of concrete is extremely porous, especially when it is horizontal, such as on a floor or driveway. For this reason, all concrete surfaces should be sealed as soon after installation as possible. Sealing concrete prevents it from absorbing moisture which can cause cracks in the surface, especially during winter. In addition, sealed concrete is much simpler to clean if oil spills on it. You can seal concrete with specially formulated concrete sealers.

Things You'll Need

• Garden hose
• Powdered laundry detergent
• Push broom
• Concrete sealer
• 5-gallon bucket
• Paint roller with extension handle

Instructions

1. Allow the concrete to sit for 30 days after installation to cure before you seal it.

2. Wet the surface of the concrete thoroughly with a garden hose and sprinkle 1/4 cup of powdered laundry detergent onto any stained areas.

3. Scrub the stained areas well with a push broom until the concrete is clean. Rinse the surface of the concrete thoroughly with a garden hose to remove all soap residue, and allow the concrete to dry for at least 24 hours.

4. Open the concrete sealer can and pour it into a 5-gallon bucket. Insert a paint roller with a handle extension into the bucket and saturate it with the sealer.

5. Paint the concrete surface with a thin coat of the sealer, reapplying it to the paint roller as needed. Continue until the entire surface has been sealed.

6. Avoid walking or touching the concrete for at least 24 hours after applying the sealer to allow it to dry and cure.

References

• You Tube: How to Seal a Concrete Patio
• You Tube: Sealing Concrete
• Ask The Builder: Concrete Sealants