Film and Penetrating Concrete Seals Discussed in Detail

Concrete seals have undergone lots of evolution over the years. In the past, builders would use simple sealing alternatives such as wax and acrylics. Their underperformance could make anyone believe that concrete seals are no good. High maintenance requirements and susceptibility to staining pushed many people away. Fast forward to today's concrete sealing technology, and the narrative changes for the better. Concrete seals now deliver excellent results that protect the structural and functional integrity of your concrete surfaces. Read the following piece to learn the essential information you need to know about film and penetrating concrete seals:

Film and Penetrating Sealers Explained

• Concrete film-forming sealers – film-forming sealers adhere to the top section of the concrete surface. They are effective at preventing the ingress of water, unwanted liquids and preventing damage to the underlying concrete due to friction.
• Penetrating sealer – a penetrating concrete sealer is different from a film sealer. In this case, the concrete absorbs the seal to blocks all the pores within the concrete surface. The result is a permanent blockage to the ingress of liquids such as water, keeping the concrete structure intact. Typically, a penetrating sealer is the best option for those who want to preserve the exterior look of the concrete finish rather than coating it with a film.

Maintenance and Performance Expectation of Film Sealers

Film concrete sealers add to the functional and aesthetic appeal of your concrete surface. They act as a disposable layer that takes on every destructive element thrown in the way of your concrete surface. Therefore, it makes sense for the films to degrade and wear down as time goes on. You need to maintain your film sealer's efficiency through timely reapplication according to the manufacturer's recommendations. However, it also helps to be vigilant by keeping an eye on the seal's condition as the rate of wear will depend on the level and intensity of exposure to the harmful elements.

Maintenance and Performance Expectation of Penetrating Sealers

Those who want to make the most of their penetrating sealers need to understand the type of sealer they are working with. Take the case of hardener and densifier seals, which come as colloidal silica, lithium silicate and sodium silicate. Fundamentally, hardeners and densifiers strengthen and reinforce the top part of a concrete surface up to the depth of the sealer's penetration. They increase the durability of the concrete surface, and are ideal for areas with lots of pedestrian traffic.

Contact a concrete sealing service for more information.