hey all, i"m having my 28x24 garage put up starting this week. the floor is being poured today and my concrete guy recommended I get some sealer and seal it as soon as it's dry before it gets alot of traffic. I've never sealed a floor, any hints or brands to use/stay away from??
new concrete floor sealer?
- Thread starter revkev6
- Start date
huh, nobody has input on concrete sealer?? I posted this here before I did any research. Seems I should be waiting a month for the concrete to cure before putting anything on it....
by then it might be getting too cold here in new england to put anything on a non-heated garage floor.
by then it might be getting too cold here in new england to put anything on a non-heated garage floor.
ixlr8
Well-known member
I am searching for sealer/epoxy coating for my floor. Everybody I have spoken with has recommended that I give the concrete at least 30 days to fully cure before sealing/coating.
JohnK007
Well-known member
When I had my concrete patio poured many years ago my concrete guy recommended just using something like Thompson's to seal it. For a while I was doing it every year and it did look good, but laziness took over and I haven't done it for a while. If you don't intend to epoxy the floor in the future I would think that Thompson's sealer or even the generic equivalent would work OK.
interesting idea on the thompsons. I spoke with my concrete guy again last night and he was adamant that I not wait on the sealer and get it sealed before the framing crew walks on it. it was poured yesterday and he wants me to seal it tonight! This isn't some wet behind the ears concrete guy, this guy is a french canadian in his mid 70's who's been doing this all his life. told me specifically to ignore the directions... WTF
I can't see sealing concrete before it's fully cured as a good thing, unless it keeps the moisture in the concrete longer and makes it cure stronger?? thought I at least had my time frame figured out before last night.
I can't see sealing concrete before it's fully cured as a good thing, unless it keeps the moisture in the concrete longer and makes it cure stronger?? thought I at least had my time frame figured out before last night.
benjamming
Well-known member
If you think the concrete guy knows his stuff, why are you asking us? Not trying to be a smart aleck, but typically my apprehensions are justified. Ask him if all concrete cracks.
everything he's done up to this point leads me to believe he knows his craft, he's cutting the expansion joint in my floor this morning.
I'm not trying to be a smartass either. to me it's a valid question. Why would my concrete guy tell me to seal the floor within 36 hours of a pour when EVERYTHING else I've read says to wait 28+ days
'the epoxy floor guy'
Well-known member
Your concrete guy is correct. You should seal it NOW. I would suggest going to a product LIKE Thompson's but NOT Thompson's. (Thompson's is too watered down in my opinion) The best would be purchased at a commercial paint store or a commercial rental place.
MOST products are not recomended for application on concrete less than 30 days old. Some are specifically designed for that application.
If nothing else is available use Thompsons. Use a garden weed sprayer to apply the product.
MOST products are not recomended for application on concrete less than 30 days old. Some are specifically designed for that application.
If nothing else is available use Thompsons. Use a garden weed sprayer to apply the product.
interesting! TEFG, any thoughts on how much product to use and any brands to use?? I've got a flooring/paint supply store right down the street from me I might ask.
You're saying I shouldn't go with a concrete sealer but just a wood sealer??
You're saying I shouldn't go with a concrete sealer but just a wood sealer??
My concrete was poured in November and I didnt seal it after being poured. My builder took way longer than projected and didnt get epoxy painted till end of june. I didnt drive anything on it during that time. The only thing that went on it was a scaffolding and shoes. The paint came out great. Outside the garage on the apron and side walk I used Drylok Wetlook high gloss sealer about a month ago and it turned out awesome. I havent had any problems with either and Ive been driving in them pretty frequently.
I got the sealer from the local block/paver store. Its a waterbased acrylic sealer.
The salesman said it was very durable and only needs to be touched up/resealed when needed.
I got the sealer from the local block/paver store. Its a waterbased acrylic sealer.
The salesman said it was very durable and only needs to be touched up/resealed when needed.
benjamming
Well-known member
Does he give a reason why it must be sealed now? Is he going to be the one doing the sealing? It depends upon the sealer, oops I forgot he says to go against the directions. Wild west it is.
he claimed that the concrete will be dry enough by tonight and the best time to seal it is before anyone walks on it and it gets a chance to generate any dust or stains. basically sealing virgin concrete. I've never sealed any concrete and would be doing it myself. I was planning on waiting till I had a roof over the floor to do it but now I'm scratching my head about it .....
The company that was doing my concrete was going to seal it after it was poured but I told him not to as I was going to epoxy paint it. He said that was fine.
When I had my patio slab poured they sealed after they had it smoothed out.
When I had my patio slab poured they sealed after they had it smoothed out.
thegarageguy
Well-known member
Read this on concrete curing and sealing. I hope this helps.
http://www.concretenetwork.com/curing-concrete/cure-and-seal.html
Good luck
http://www.concretenetwork.com/curing-concrete/cure-and-seal.html
Good luck
For the OCD inclined, visit this site to find a dozen or two curing/sealing compounds:
http://www.euclidchemical.com/about.asp
Even the diy Quikrete product at Home Despot says you can apply it as soon as the wetness dries off the new concrete:
http://www.quikrete.com/PDFs/SPEC_DATA-ConcreteSealer.pdf
I always heard it was best to seal the moisture in for best curing and strength. Someone enlighten us.
http://www.euclidchemical.com/about.asp
Even the diy Quikrete product at Home Despot says you can apply it as soon as the wetness dries off the new concrete:
http://www.quikrete.com/PDFs/SPEC_DATA-ConcreteSealer.pdf
I always heard it was best to seal the moisture in for best curing and strength. Someone enlighten us.
snowdevil
Active member
I also just did a concrete floor this summer in new england and we DID seal it right away with in the 1st week. I am not sure what the product was but it just seals the slab.
I am getting ready to now epoxy paint the slab before winter here and did have to wait minimum of 30 days for that process. I taped down a 2 foot square of plastic to see if moister was still present an all is good after about 2 months. where is your project?
I am getting ready to now epoxy paint the slab before winter here and did have to wait minimum of 30 days for that process. I taped down a 2 foot square of plastic to see if moister was still present an all is good after about 2 months. where is your project?
Free Willie
Well-known member
Used a curer/sealer on mine as soon as it was stiff enough to walk on without marking it up. It was made by a company called A.H. Harris.
Works great to keep dust down but gas and brake clean are hard on it , but it doesn't seem to really bother the seal.
Works great to keep dust down but gas and brake clean are hard on it , but it doesn't seem to really bother the seal.
Plane Crazy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2009
- Messages
- 136
I was recommended to use a cure and seal product on my new concrete the next day.
They waited a month to acid wash and seal the exposed concrete.
Recommendation: Look locally for a concrete supply company who sells products to cement finishers. They will have the best products available.
We got 5 gallon pails for $110.00
There is an additive you can get for shiney sealer to give it a tooth for grip called "Shark Grip" that we put on our exposed concrete. Works well. About 10.00 a abottle. Enough for 1 fiver.
They waited a month to acid wash and seal the exposed concrete.
Recommendation: Look locally for a concrete supply company who sells products to cement finishers. They will have the best products available.
We got 5 gallon pails for $110.00
There is an additive you can get for shiney sealer to give it a tooth for grip called "Shark Grip" that we put on our exposed concrete. Works well. About 10.00 a abottle. Enough for 1 fiver.