Have you considered sealing concrete somewhere on your Batesville, IN property? This is a fantastic idea because by sealing concrete, you’ll protect it from damage. Not only that, but you’ll prevent weed seeds from growing between cracks and mold from spreading across the concrete’s surface. However, bear in mind that the concrete sealing process can be challenging. In fact, if you’re not careful, there are a number of concrete sealing mistakes you might make along the way.
In this blog, we will explore five concrete sealing mistakes that you should avoid during your DIY project. Read ahead and discover how you can prepare yourself for the work. Or, schedule an appointment with Southeast Indiana Pressure Wash—our pros will happily seal your concrete for you!
Mistake #1: Not Purchasing All Necessary Tools
So, you want to seal your concrete. The question is, do you have the right tools for the job? If not, you’ll definitely want to purchase them because you won’t be able to do the work correctly otherwise. Let’s take a quick look at the bare essentials for concrete sealing:
- Concrete Sealer: A bare necessity. Without concrete sealer, the work is impossible.
- Brush or Roller: So you can apply a layer of concrete sealer to the surface.
- Protective Gloves: Keep concrete sealer off your hands.
- Safety Glasses: Protects your eyes from droplets of liquid sealer.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to buy anything that you don’t have. How much can you expect to pay for all these items? We estimate about a hundred dollars, but bear in mind you should also have tarps on hand, as well as pressure washing equipment to clean the concrete.
Mistake #2: Forgetting to Clean Concrete Beforehand
Before you seal your concrete, you’re definitely going to want to clean it first. Why? Because otherwise, you’re effectively trapping a layer of debris when you seal your concrete, and this will affect its appearance for a long, long time. Cleaning your concrete has two main benefits. One, it acts as your last chance to make your concrete spotless before sealing it. Two, it makes the sealing process easier: concrete sealer binds more easily when grime is out of the picture.
Begin by removing any furniture, decorations, or other objects from the concrete surface. Sweep the area first; then, pressure wash the concrete with 3,000 to 3,500 PSI. This will make it easy to eliminate even tough stains. Watch as your concrete transforms from dark and dull to bright and vibrant!
Mistake #3: Not Giving Concrete Time to Dry
After you’ve washed your concrete, you may become excited and decide you want to start sealing your concrete immediately. However, don’t be so rash. There’s a big problem with this idea, and it’s that your concrete is still quite wet. When concrete is wet, concrete sealer won’t be able to bind to the surface like it’s supposed to. This will put you in a position where you’re forced to undo all your work and try again another day.
This same problem applies when it’s raining outside. If there is water pouring down from the heavens, your concrete will be too slick and too wet to seal. So you’ll have to wait for a day with more cooperative weather. Waiting will be worth it; if the conditions are right, your work will last much, much longer, protecting your concrete for additional years.
Mistake #4: Not Protecting Nearby Areas
When you are sealing your concrete, there are areas immediately next to it that you won’t want to seal. So, how are you supposed to protect these surfaces? The answer is with tarps, plastic sheets, or drop cloths. With any of these items, you can shield the area from liquid sealer, preventing it from collecting any droplets of this substance. Let’s keep sealer where it belongs—on the concrete!
And yes, a little common sense goes a long way during this process, too. Pay attention to your brushstrokes and avoid applying sealer to areas where it isn’t supposed to go. All it takes is some foresight to save yourself a lot of trouble in the future.
Mistake #5: Not Giving Sealer Enough Time to Dry
Another one of the concrete sealing mistakes you might make is not giving sealer enough time to dry. After applying it onto the concrete, it’s possible that you’ll say to yourself, “Oh, it will be ready in an hour or two.” Unfortunately, that just isn’t the case. Typically, concrete sealer needs as many as forty-eight hours to finish drying. So make sure it gets that time before you try walking on the surface. Otherwise, you risk leaving behind a trail of sticky footprints.
Once the sealer has dried, you can safely return any furniture, decorations, and other objects to the surface. Enjoy your newly sealed concrete—it’s ready to stand the test of time.
Avoid Concrete Sealing Mistakes With the Pros
As you’ve discovered, there are a number of concrete sealing mistakes that you might make if you aren’t careful. DIYers who lack experience are most likely to fall victim to these errors. Are you worried that you’ll make some sort of mistake during the DIY process? If so, why not avoid the DIY process altogether? Schedule an appointment with Soda City Pressure Washing, and we will happily do all this hard work so you don’t have to.
Our team of fully trained professionals knows how to seal concrete correctly. Schedule an appointment with us for accident-free sealing that leaves you smiling. We are also proud to do the work for a fair price.
Contact Us to Get Started
To schedule an appointment with Soda City, simply contact us online with information about your project. That way, we can get a better idea of what to expect from your appointment. From there, we will provide you with a free cost estimate for your convenience. Like our price? If so, choose a time and date for our arrival, and we will see you in the very near future.
