sealing concrete and concrete sealers

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SEALING CONCRETE 101

concrete sealers and coatings

Your Host and Tour Guide:

Paul Oman, MS, MBA - Progressive Epoxy Polymers, Inc. - (floor epoxies, marine epoxies, underwater epoxies, repair epoxies)

Member: NACE (National Assoc. of Corrosion Engineers), SSPC (Soc. of Protective Coatings)

Board member: Friends of the Suncook River - 501(c)(3) non profit ----- Founder: Friday Night Paddlers .

"Professionals helping Professionals since 1994"

Concrete sealers / water proofers / etc. run the range for (1) something that internally seals the concrete without leaving anything on the surface (see Bio Vee Seal) to (2) a water-based or solvent-based non-epoxy (typically an acrylic or polyurethane) clear coating to (3) a pigmented (or clear) water-based or solvent-based epoxy coating to (4) solvent free, multi coat functional or decorative pigmented epoxy floor.

Numbers 3 and 4 are more commonly listed under, seamless epoxy floors, epoxy floor paint, etc. but they also are concrete (cement) sealing products. We have the largest selection of products and information on epoxy floors. See the extensive list of links at the bottom of this page.

IMPORTANT: WITHOUT A MOISTURE VAPOR BARRIER UNDER YOUR SLAB, EVEN THE CONCRETE SEALER PRODUCTS (EXCEPT BIO VEE SEAL) MAY NOT BOND WELL ENOUGH TO YOUR SURFACE

OTHER NOTES:

1) epoxy paints are not color stable and will yellow in time and sunlight. Non epoxies generally will remain clear.

2) the use of solvents or water in the product will help the product 'soak into the concrete' a little bit, increasing the bond to the cement.

3) solvent based coatings can be very stinky and thus might not be good for home/confined space application due to the smell/fumes. In some parts of the country solvent based products cannot be sold. They are generally tougher, more durable and more problem free than water based coatings.

4) water based coatings tend to have little or no odor/fumes. They often also contain some amount of traditional solvents and thus may not be available for sale in certain parts of the country. They are often easy to apply and have easy clean up, but will be less durable. Problems can develop if these coatings are subjected to high humidity (or constant water/moisture) during application and after application.

5) Solvent free epoxy floor systems are strictly a surface bond coating, so your surface has to be very clean and (hopefully) a little bit rough. These coating are generally honey thick with little or no odor. Forming a thick coating and being thick to start with, trapped air in the concrete can be released from the concrete as temperatures rise forming air bubbles in the just setting epoxy. The end result of an epoxy floor is generally something that is very smooth (can be slick when wet), hard and brittle, and very chemical resistant. Epoxies bond to surfaces better than other coatings and are thus often the primer/basecoat under other coatings (on concrete and non concrete surfaces).

6) water, moisture or water migrating through concrete can be a real problem especially below grade, such as in basements. One of the functions of concrete/cement sealers is to waterproof or seal the concrete but if there is too much water/moisture (and especially if lots of mineral salts which can form crystals) floor coatings can peel off. Option #1 (bio vee seal) is an internal concrete sealer that leaves nothing on the surface. It works by forming crystals in the concrete below the surface and 'clogging it up'. This reduces or stops water moving through the porous concrete - perhaps enough to allow other surface coatings to stay bonded or 'stick.' There is no way to know if you have licked the moisture/water problems until after the fact - our new coating stays down or it doesn't.

PRODUCTS AND LINKS TO THE DIFFERENT CONCRETE SEALING PRODUCTS OFFER BY PROGRESSIVE EPOXY POLYMERS, INC.

1) internal sealers - (see Bio Vee Seal) - (find in our industrial catalog)

2) a water-based acrylic concrete sealer - BIO VEE GLOSS™ --- (find in our industrial catalog)

3) solvent-based non-epoxy (typically an acrylic or polyurethane). see aluminum filled moisture cured urethane (MCU) - Aluthane. -- (find in our industrial catalog)

4) a clear solvent-based epoxy coating - ESP 155 -- ESP 155 info Page -- (find in our industrial catalog)

5) solvent free or water-based (also one solvent based) multi coat functional or decorative pigmented epoxy floor. See the extensive list of links at the bottom of this page. (find in our industrial catalog).

This water-based (milky white when liquid, clear when dry), low to no odor, acrylic concrete sealer is a lower cost, easy one part alternative to more expensive and complicated two-part epoxy floor coating systems. Depending upon the roughness of the surface (usually cement), one coat of Bio Vee Gloss will usually result in a ‘satin' clear finish, while two or more coats (applied any time after the first coat has completely dried) will result in a ‘gloss' finish. Use as a clear concrete sealer and for dust control as well as for sealing other decorative concrete / mortar stones, pavers, decorations, etc. For use on low traffic / foot traffic areas - not recommended for garage/warehouses and other high traffic areas. Water thin, Bio Vee Gloss applies very easy like water with a roller, sprayer or squeegee. Coverage is 200 sf per gallon. Recoating may be required every 1 - 2 years.

The primary reason to consider this product for sealing concrete floors and cement products is 1) odorless - ideal for home use where smell/fumes are an issue; 2) easy to apply - like mopping on water - quick and easy 3) no mixing, convenient plastic jug packaging

LIMITED AVAILABILITY - THIS PRODUCT MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE. CALL OR EMAIL FOR PRODUCT UPDATE

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