Can you reseal a concrete floor?

Concrete, like any other porous surface, is best when it is sealed. You can seal concrete with a chemically reactive penetrating sealer, acrylic–resin sealers, and highperformance topical coatings, such as epoxies and urethanes.

How often do you have to reseal concrete floors?

Sealing your concrete isn't really a labor-intensive, nor costly, job. By sealing your concrete every 2-5 years, as recommended by experts, you should keep your floor in good shape, preventing cracks, pitting, and additional damage.

How do you seal an existing concrete floor?

How do you reseal an interior stained concrete floor?

The secret to resealing is agitation. Pick an area of a manageable size and apply a coat of new sealer. Immediately agitate the surface with a chemical-resistant broom before moving on to another area. This agitation will not only reactivate the old sealer but will cohesively mix the two sealers.

How long do sealed concrete floors last?

Epoxy and urethane systems last between 5-10 years, closer to 5 if the surface experiences heavy traffic. Reactive penetrating sealers are the longest lasting concrete sealers, wearing away only if the substrate surface itself wears away.

How To Seal Concrete Floors The Fast And Easy Way

Can you apply concrete sealer over old sealer?

Before applying a new sealer, it's very important that you make sure the old one is completely gone. This is because any old sealer left on the surface of your concrete can impede the effectiveness of the newly applied sealant, preventing proper adhesion to the concrete surface.

How much does it cost to seal concrete floors?

Concrete sealers cost between $0.10 and $0.75 per square foot. Many sealers are very DIY-friendly, making this an appealing project for homeowners. All you need are the right tools and enough time. If you decide to hire a local driveway contractor, it will cost between $1.25 and $1.75 per square foot.

Do I need to reseal concrete floors?

By sealing your concrete floors every 2-5 years, as we would recommend, you can ensure your concrete floors remain in good shape for many years, helping you protect against pitting, cracking, and additional damage.

Should you seal stained concrete?

To prolong stain life, stain manufacturers recommend keeping stained surfaces protected with multiple coats of clear sealer (outdoors) and a floor wax (indoors). A good sealer will provide other benefits as well, such as adding sheen to the surface and enhancing color intensity.

Does sealing concrete stop moisture?

Basements and garages - the typical rooms with concrete floors - also suffer from poor air circulation, giving the moisture nowhere to go once it seeps through the floor. Sealing the concrete can help eliminate the dampness on your floor.

How do you seal concrete cheaply?

Topical Sealants

Just as the word indicates, a topical sealant lays on top of the concrete without penetrating the surface. Several types of topical sealants are available in prices that vary from inexpensive to more costly. Acrylic: This thin layer acts as a protectant for the concrete and is easy to apply.

What is the difference between concrete sealer and epoxy?

Epoxy coatings are available in clear or can be colored. They are water repellent, however, different than acrylic sealers they are non-porous and do not allow the trapped moisture to escape. Epoxy sealers are harder than acrylic sealers.

What happens if concrete is not sealed?

What happens if I don't seal my concrete? Concrete is a porous material that readily absorbs liquids. In freeze-thaw climates, the expansion of frozen liquids can destroy the surface of unsealed concrete. Oil, salt, fertilizer, and other household chemicals can discolor and damage unsealed concrete.

What happens if you don't seal stained concrete?

Without a sealer, your concrete will be more vulnerable to preventable and expensive damage. It's a lot cheaper and easier to apply a sealer every few years then it is to repair a cracked patio. Concrete sealers come in a variety of types.

When should concrete be sealed?

Wait at least 30 days before sealing a new concrete surface—whether indoors or out—so that it has time to completely cure first. For the best results, the concrete surface should be clean and dry. That means no rain should be in the week's forecast if you're working outdoors on a patio, bench, or sidewalk.

Is it worth sealing garage floor?

Because garage floors are protected from outdoor elements, they don't generally need sealed as often as a concrete driveway. However, most garage floors are made from concrete, making them susceptible to cracking and moisture intrusion from oil spills, antifreeze leakage, and other household chemicals.

What is the difference between sealed and polished concrete?

The differences are quite significant in process, duration, cost, and durability. For polished concrete, the concrete is polished using finer grits of diamond abrasives until the floor reaches the desired level of shine (level 1-4). However, with sealed concrete, the finish is achieved from a high-performance sealer.

Is concrete coating expensive?

Typically, the cost of a concrete coating can range from $9-12 per square foot. It is common for most companies to provide discounts with the more square footage you buy for your project.

Can existing concrete floors be polished?

Almost any structurally sound concrete floor, whether new or old, can be polished.

Is staining concrete cheaper than flooring?

Is Stained Concrete Expensive? Starting at just $2 per square foot, a stained concrete floor is less expensive than tile, wood, or natural stone flooring. However, as you add customization, the price rises and becomes comparable to more expensive flooring like slate or marble.

Is it better to spray or roll concrete sealer?

“Certain sealers are better applied by spray because they are not formulated for rolling,” says Dean Owen, president of Arizona Polymer Flooring Inc. in Glendale, Ariz. “This is usually a function of the solvents used in the formulation. Slow-evaporating solvents are better for rolling.