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While there are many factors that can influence how well a concrete sealer dries or cures, surface temperature is among the most important. If it is too hot, you have trouble applying it smoothly along with it drying too quickly. On the other hand, when the surface temperature is too low, the sealer dries too slow and can even freeze in severe cases. Read on to learn further details about how temperature affects concrete sealer.

How Low Temperatures Affect the Concrete Sealers

When the temperature drops below 10-degrees Celsius, there is a risk of the sealer not curing thoroughly. As a result, it fails to protect the concrete sufficiently to prevent damage. Efflorescence also can occur, which leaves a layer of white powder that is salt residue brought up from the underneath layers as the moisture evaporates. Also, when the temperature drops too cold, the sealer can freeze before it cures appropriately.

The Ways that High Temperatures Influence the Concrete Sealers

High temperatures of over 32.2-degrees Celsius accelerate the curing rate of concrete sealers. As a result, they do not have sufficient time to form their protective film effectively. Along with this issue, high temperatures make applying sealer with a roller one sticky mess and even can leave lint from the roller head on the surface. While spraying is possible at these temperatures, you still can have trouble with the sealer curing correctly.

Correct Range of Surface Temperatures for Applying Concrete Sealer

The ideal range of surface temperatures for the application of sealer on concrete is between 10-degrees Celsius and 32.2-degrees Celsius. Plan your sealing day carefully for this reason.

What Influences the Surface Temperature of Concrete?

Many things can influence the temperature of the concrete’s surface. In order to know exactly when to perform your sealer application, you need to learn what these things are, and that is why we share them with you below:

• Time of the year
• Time of day
• Whether the concrete is in direct sun or in a shady area
• Wind velocity
• Humidity level
• Air temperature
• Temperature of the concrete

Other Considerations for Sealer Application

Since each sealer does slightly vary as far as application requirements, it is crucial to read the instructions thoroughly. Also, be certain that you use the right sealer for the location of your concrete. Exterior concrete floors, driveways, patios and other elements require a sealer that is UV resistant.

For further details about why you should consider surface temperatures when sealing concrete floors, consult with our company, Auseal. Our entire business is about developing and manufacturing decorative finishes and unique coatings for concrete flooring.

While warehouse and factory concrete floors need to endure a lot of punishment all throughout the year, moisture can be the number one enemy of them. Since concrete is porous in a raw state, it can absorb water and other liquids easily, and all can cause their own damage to it. Also, efflorescence can occur as well when there is nothing protecting these floors. You can solve all these moisture-related problems just by applying a concrete sealer to your factory or warehouse floor. We elaborate on this fact in the following.

Sealers Make Concrete Flooring Non-Porous

When you seal concrete floors, you turn them from porous to non-porous surfaces. As a result, they cannot absorb potentially damaging moisture through the sealer, even from the surrounding air. This prevents mould and mildew from forming, the concrete from softening and possibly crumbling, and staining from occurring due to exposure to standing water or other liquids.

You Can Clean up Spills without Leaving a Residue

Without a sealer on the concrete, it is impossible to clean up spills without leaving some type of residue behind. The raw concrete absorbs liquids too quickly. Once the spill residue dries, permanent stains are left behind that are impossible to remove.

Concrete Sealers Are Chemical Resistant in Many Cases

It depends upon what chemicals come into contact with sealers whether they are 100% resistant to damage from them. For example, certain solvents will remove the sealers. Ensure that you select the right sealer for your circumstances to guarantee the best possible floor protection.

You Prevent Efflorescence from Negatively Affecting Your Commercial Floor

Since efflorescence happens when water-soluble substances, such as salts, rise up to the top of unsealed concrete in part due to moist conditions, applying a sealer prevents this unsightly issue. The primary sign of this issue is a white powdery residue on the concrete’s surface after the salts or other substances dry.

Applying a Sealer Lengthens the Life of Your Concrete Floor

The application of a sealer to protect your warehouse or factory floor from moisture-related issues extends the life of the concrete. This reduces your need for floor refurbishments that can be quite costly.

A Sealer Can Be Decorative and Protective at the Same Time

Sealers come in clear and coloured versions. If you select one that has a colour to it, you can add a decorative touch to your floor along with the sealer protection.

For further facts about how to solve moisture-related issues in warehouse and factory floors by applying a concrete sealer, consult with Auseal. We specialise in manufacturing decorative surfaces and unique coatings for concrete floors.

When applying sealant to concrete surfaces, it is important to choose the right one for the job. While some are suitable for only well-cured concrete, the “Same Day Seal” from our company of Auseal is suitable for freshly poured, green concrete that has dried just enough to walk on without issue. Read on to learn more about this benefit as well as other ones that you will receive when you select this sealant for your concrete floor, driveway, patio or other surface.

“Same Day Seal” Can Be Applied to Freshly Poured Concrete Surfaces

The top benefit of this acrylic copolymer sealant is that it can be applied the same day that the concrete is poured as long as the surface is hard enough to walk on without leaving footprints. With other types of sealants, you must wait until the concrete has cured at least 28 days.

Our “Same Day Seal” Is Suitable for Interior and Exterior Uses

Due to the fact that it has good UV stability, you can use this sealant on both interior and exterior concrete surfaces. The sun’s rays will not cause degradation to happen to this sealant.

It Makes Your Concrete Surfaces Water Resistant

Unsealed concrete is susceptible to water damage since it is highly porous and absorbs moisture. Sealing it with “Same Day Seal” creates a non-porous surface on the concrete that water cannot seep through, and as a result, your concrete will not crumble or crack from exposure to rain, snow, ice or other sources of water.

Reduces Efflorescence

Concrete that is unsealed can develop a white powdery substance that is called efflorescence. It is caused from vapour moving up through the slab and bringing soluble salts with it to the surface of the concrete. Efflorescence is unattractive and the salts may further damage the concrete if not removed. An application of our “Same Day Seal” will reduce the risk of this happening.

Lowers the Risk of Tyre Marking from Vehicle Traffic

This sealant also reduces the risk of tyre marking from cars, trucks or other types of vehicle traffic. The last thing that you want to see is tread marks on your concrete driveway.

Provides Concrete Surfaces with Good Abrasion Resistance

Another benefit of this sealant is the resistance it provides your concrete against abrasion from rough objects or dropped objects. This helps your concrete surfaces retain their attractiveness and durable condition longer in comparison to being unsealed.

Aids in the Curing Process of the Concrete

One last advantage about this sealant that we must mention is that it helps the concrete cure properly. Whatever the surface is that contains the concrete, it will cure faster and with fewer issues after an application of this sealant.

Browse through our website to learn additional facts about our company and sealants, including our “Same Day Seal”. Contact us to receive answers to your questions or to order directly.

One of the most important exterior features at your home is the concrete driveway. It provides you a hard surface to enter your property on with your vehicle while preventing erosion of the ground under it. You need to understand how to take care of this driveway properly in order to keep it in ideal condition for it to last as long as possible. While various weather conditions can affect driveways made from concrete, winter weather is especially damaging to them if you are not careful due to the salt that is used on the roads to melt or prevent ice patches. Luckily, all you need to do to protect your concrete driveway effectively is to apply sealer to it. The sealer safeguards the surface of your driveway from the damaging road salt.

What Type of Sealer is Suitable for Concrete Driveways?

For a concrete driveway, you must apply a sealer that has good UV stability, has effective water resistance, can reduce efflorescence, is suitable for exterior application and contains low tyre marking capabilities. An example of a sealer that fits all these parameters is the EC25 one that our company of Auseal manufactures.

How to Prepare the Driveway Prior to Applying the Sealer

While there are sealers that can be applied by professionals at the time the concrete is poured, most require that the concrete cure or dry for at least 28 days before you can apply them. Also, you will need to clean the driveway thoroughly to ensure that it is free of contaminants, such as dirt, dust, grease and oil. To accomplish this, scrub the driveway with a degreasing solution and rinse with plenty of clean water. In the event that the concrete is not profiled, you also need to acid etch it before the sealer will apply correctly. You do this by using a solution of one part hydrochloric acid and 10 parts water. Broom this solution onto the concrete and leave it for about 10 minutes without it drying. Hose off with plenty of fresh water and repeat if necessary, to receive the desired results.

The Application Process of the Sealer

If your sealer is a tinted one, be certain to mix the suspended pigment in completely to ensure a uniform colour result. With the EC25 the first coat should be thinned by adding 10 to 20 percent of Xylene to guarantee proper penetration and adhesion. Spread the thinned sealer evenly with a spray gun, roller or broom. Allow it to dry thoroughly before applying a second full-strength coat. Follow directions for other sealers if the EC25 is not your choice.

Once the sealer is dry, the winter road salt will wash off easily without damaging your concrete driveway. For further information about this topic and all of our sealers, browse through our website or contact us.

While concrete floors are resilient to a point in their raw form without any additional treatments, they do not resist moisture absorption or stains well unless you add a layer of sealer on top of them. You may think that just new floors of this material qualify for this treatment, but you can seal old concrete flooring as well. With this being said, we offer you FAQs below to help explain how to go about this properly.

1. Is there any special preparation necessary for old a concrete floor prior to sealing it?

Yes, you need to analyse your concrete flooring to learn whether it has ever had sealer on it before. If it has, you must remove all signs of it from the concrete using the appropriate solvent. After this, you should repair any defects or damage in the floor. This lengthens the life of your floor. Repairs may add new concrete to your old floors. In this case, allow it to cure for at least 28 days before proceeding.

2. Should I etch old a concrete floor to prepare them for sealers?

An aged concrete floor that does not have a texture must be etched prior to sealing. To etch the floor, apply a hydrochloric acid solution that is four parts water to one part acid to the entire floor with a mop or broom. Allow this solution to set for up to two minutes or until bubbles quit forming. Rinse all the acid solution off the floor thoroughly with clean water to ensure that no salts form while the floor dries. If the floor is not sufficiently etched, repeat the etching process.

3. Do old concrete floors require different sealers than new ones do for quality results?

No, you can use any concrete sealer on old floors that is suitable for new ones of concrete. Make your selection according to whether the concrete floor is indoors or outdoors, though, since the latter requires a sealer that will hold up under UV and weather exposure. Also, select the colour that best enhances your house décor or the clear that is completely neutral.

4. Is there a special application method that must be used to apply sealer to old concrete floors?

No, you just apply it according the manufacturer’s instructions. Many sealers recommend the use of a roller or broom to apply them while some are ideal for sprayers.

For further details about how you can seal old concrete floors, consult with Auseal. For many years, we have been developing and manufacturing unique decorative surfaces and coatings specifically formulated for concrete flooring.