I have a poured concrete pad 8 x 12 on which I will place a pre-built storage shed, however I wanted to seal the pad first. As you note, there were so many products and product types out there it "made my head spin". I spent hours trying to figure out which product to use, and became increasingly more confused. It was clear, comprehensive, concise. Professionally delivered. Thank-you so much for this informative video. It is one of the best informational/instructional videos I have ever watched on TH-cam.
Wow. Thanks so much! Excellent video. Old house, and sealing the basement, garage floor, and new concrete walk outside. You saved me so much time and frustration....not just for myself, but for whoever lives in the home after I'm gone. Thanks!!
Excellent informational video for sealer products on TH-cam. Way to go man finally someone who can be straight up with facts so people DIY'ers can make a decision on what they want for their project. Thanks a bunch.
Can you recommend a water based Siliconate for northern freeze and thaw sidewalk please ( 5 years old , cracking, never sealed) and a sealer for a long slippery ramp during freezing temps. Fell and got busted up pretty bad. ( ramp 1 year old, never sealed). Please help. Thank you!
I widened my concrete driveway, cleaned the old adjacent slabs- do u need to go with acrylic for a consistent color finish one the new and old? I was hoping for something more durable and longer lasting than the HC from Loews…
@@ToolboxDIY I’m not sure how a I’d stain would finish with the adjacent new/old slab in driveway. Plus there are some cracks I started filling. We’d like to go with a simple gray, nothing dark, which I’m actually having a very hard time finding because it seems like everybody wants more exotic colors are dark browns. I am throwing for a skeptical of the acrylic ‘stain’ options though.
Great videos, can I use concrete sealer and than go over that with a polyurethane? I have an outside deck that’s concrete underneath. It is my garage and the concrete is always weeping into my garage.
We have brushed concrete with an exposed aggregate ribbon surrounding. What type of sealer can be used on both surfaces without a slippery dangerous outcome. Thank you!
I enjoyed the video! You gave me the exact information I needed to choose the sealer that I want to use in my basement. However, you did not mention any particular brands, nor did you mention a store where it can be purchased. I have been to three different Lowe's stores, Home Depot, Ace Hardware and Harbor Freight. When I told them that I wanted a sodium or lithium silicate concrete sealer, they looked at me like I had a tree sprouting out of my forehead. What brand do I get? Where is it sold?
Hi, can i apply a penetrating sealer first followed by an acrylic sealer topcoat? Since i like the slight color change in an acrylic sealer but would want the benefit of the more penetrative sealer underneath. Thank you!
Hello Jeff, Is the concrete indoor or outdoor? Reactive sealers are great for blocking moisture and preventing freeze/thaw and salt damage, but don't offer the same stain resistances that coatings can provide. On indoor applications epoxy and polyurethane or polyaspartic systems can be used for long lasting resistances. On outdoor applications, breathable acrylic coatings are more popular, but must be re-applied more often.
@@VSEALVideos Inside a pole barn in WNY, I am not looking for a thousands of dollar epoxy job. But have looked at on-line epoxy sales as the local PPG dealer will not sell epoxy to homeowners. Eventually there will be a 12,000lb lift on it & may see steel dozer tracks on it.
You made a comment about newer methods of finishing concrete, like using a big power ride-on float. I just had a garage floor poured and they used one of these. Do I even need to seal it all? If so, which type do you recommend? Thanks!
Does this information apply to cool decking around a swimming pool? Should I seal it just like any concrete or would that mess up the cooling surface? Thanks!
Great breakdown!! Thanks! Will view many vids, but this is a great entry to 'what do I want?' Only thing I'd ask for is more in-depth on new/2-5 year/5+ year concrete. (since from all my research concrete never stops curing)
@toolboxdiy , what sealer is recommended for exposed aggregated concrete? Also, is there a tinting penetrating sealer you would recommended to add/change color?
Can I use any of these on acid stained concrete? I’m looking for a matte sealer or very low sheen. This homeowner likes low sheen . And the slab is flawed . So the low sheen would look best . I just want to bring out the colors in the stain and not have the sheen . It’s a rental house . So it’ll have a lot of foot traffic. Thank you for the video 😊
Very helpful. My problem is a condo on the first floor in Florida that has a mold problem. The best theory I have received from "experts" is that the concrete slab did not have a vapor barrier below the slab, so my moisture readings are good (about 5% RH) unless it rains, then the floor goes up to 99%RH. So, when it is 68 degrees out and a fairly dry November day, the interior humidity is still about 62% unless the air conditioning is set down to 70 degrees or so. So, they say to seal the floor before I put down vinyl plank flooring. One expert said use Drylock Floor, which is the penetrating type. The other expert said use Mapei Pleniseal PMB, which is a polyurethane compound. What brand would you use, or if you do not want to endorse a specific brand, what type would you use? I suspect you are going to say use a Silicate or a Silicanate if I followed your argument. Since I want to avoid upward water intrusion--sealing the floor with a penetrating sealer would make sense I suspect? Please help.
Seeking a recommendation on a sealer for old concrete in a home. I inherited a home with a cat urine problem on the concrete floor. I’ve tried everything to clean the urine. At this point need to seal the concrete to keep the smell form coming thru the luxury vinyl plank floor esp when the concrete pores open when it rains outside. What type of sealer is recommended?
Very good, thanks for sharing. I had to go out and look at what I'm using on a masonry wall. It's water based acrylic sealer from the local hardware store. I've used it before...seems to be good. When I think of sealer I think of that xylene based toxic chemical smelling stuff that everyone used when I was a kid. I don't want to smell that nasty stuff anymore.
Thanks for this Vid. One question though. Can say, Acrylic or Polyurethane be put ontop of A Penetrating Sealer? Since they're not penetrating and just sits on top.
Great explanation! I'm going to do my pool deck that is about 10 years old but want to stain it also. I want to use a penetrating stain like you said but the question is do I still need to seal it after staining? I've read conflicting articles on this. I would think you would but then agin that is why I'm asking for your opinion. Again great job explaining!!
I thank you for your very informative video. I live Florida and Moss keep growing on the concrete outside my front door even after I power wash it 3 months before. There is no standing water after rainfall. The salesman at Home Depot says its moisture from in the concrete that causes the Moss to grow. Should I use a penetrating sealer to slow the growth or stop the growth of Moss
The penetrating sealer will definitely help. If the slab drains well (meaning it has a slight pitch so that water doesn't just sit on it), then it will probably solve the moss. If water still sits on the slab, moss or algae may still grow but it won't be as bad and it will come off much easier.
Here in Northern California the weather in the summer gets to the 90s or triple digits. I want to protect my concrete driveway, what is a good sealer that will protect from high heat in the day and cold morning?
Experts - for radon mitigation install , contractor made a hole in concrete wall and filled the gap around the pipe both inside and outside of concrete wall with Alex Plus Latex Caulk Plus Silicone . Is this good or should I get sealing around pipe with a better product?
Can a penetrating sealer be used over the top of a high shine acrylic sealer? We are looking for options to fix a bad install job of a specchem acrylic sealer that was recently installed.
Seal before with a siliconate penatrating sealer such as Vseal 101 or PS101. These won't interfere with the paint adhesion. Although, I would probably skip the sealer if you're going to paint it.
Thank you so much! Question - I’ve just built a house with fully exposed concrete in and out. Lovely and smooth concrete just near the sea. Some walls have been poured 3 months ago while others 4 weeks ago. What sealer should I use that will protect and harden but not alter the look in any way (don’t want the wet look!). Many thanks!
I am remodeling an extremely nasty house where all sort of animals have been pooping and pieing all ever it for many years. We removed the flooring and the plan after all the chemical treatments, is to seal the concrete before putting new tile in order to definitely prevent those flavors to be released from the concrete. What do you advise using for this application? Thank you
There are companies that will treat the concrete floors with enzymes to remove the organics from the urine and poo. After wetting the floor, they cover it with a Saran Wrap type covering to keep it wet while the liquid does its thing. I bought a flip house that had 25 cats. They did have to do 2 treatments but it worked. Another thing I did on that house was to put a big bowl of pine sol in the a/c return and crank up the heat for a couple of days to remove any odors from the ducts
I have an out door, concrete patio. Hanging over the patio is a large pine tree. Sap drops all the time and because it's not sealed in any way, I can't get the sap out of the nooks and grannies. Am I better off with a polyurethane or epoxy sealer. I live in the south west and my days in the summer are over 100 every day, if that makes a difference.
I'd go with a polyurethane over the epoxy. The epoxy will yellow. A penetrating sealer will keep the sap from staining the concrete but it will require more work to clean it off than if you used a poly. Acrylic is also an option. It's not quite as thick as poly so it won't last as long, but I think you'll be happy with it's performance and it's easier to apply.
Thanks for such a clear and well-thought out video explanation. Can I ask for advice on my situation / application? I'd like to seal a large driveway, of which 520 sqm / 5564 square feet is "new" (32mpa poured 4 months ago) and 80 sqm / 856 square feet is ~30 years old (assume standard 20mpa concrete), comprised of slab under a drive-through carport (consistent / uniform grey surface) and 2 exposed sections with slightly different aggregates - rain and exposure has weathered them so the aggregate is prominent on the surface but they are in good condition and very usable hence not removed when new driveway was constructed. I'd like to seal all the driveway, and would prefer a sealant that can make the driveway look more uniform, preferably a dark charcoal grey. We get a fair bit of leaf staining and some animal droppings staining. My priorities are: 1) Achieve a uniform colour and look as much as possible so it's hard to determine old and new driveway sections. 2) Protect the driveway from staining from leaves / animal droppings. 3) Reduce water penetration so above staining remains surface only for easy pressure-cleaning or just waiting for next rainfall. 4) Be long-lasting so I'm not re-doing it in 5 years. 5) Protect concrete (we don't get frosts or snow) from erosion if possible, although I'll likely sell before I see the new driveway weather like the 30+ year old sections so this is less of a concern. 6) Maintain or increase traction from current unsealed state - kids love running on it and riding bikes / scooters so don't want to end up with a slippery surface. Thanks for any advice you can provide - from this video I am wondering if the Siliconates have dyes / colour additives that can be used, with different amounts for the different sections, to end up with a fairly uniform appearance, as it would achieve the other points well. FWIW I'm Down Under and our driveways are 100mm / 4" thick with 82 reo (8mm diameter steel in 200mm x 200mm grid mesh = 5/16" x 8" x 8" mesh in 8' x 20' sheets tied) usually 20mpa but I got a very cheap upgrade to 32mpa for the new section so took advantage.
Thanks for the video series. I had a failed epoxy floor that I have ground off with a concrete grinder. I now want to protect the floor from oil stains and salt but Im unsure If I should use a a siliconate or an acrylic sealer. I wouldn't mind applying an acrylic every couple years but Im unsure if I would have to strip it every time . If I use siliconate sealer I'm afraid of oil stains especially since I knocked off some of the cream with a grinder and perform my own oil changes in the garage. Any sugestions?
Acrylic sealers, Like Kemiko Stone Tone 2, do not have to be stripped. You should clean the floor with a neutral cleaner and a stiff broom brush. Rinse, re-rinse, let dry. Then spray seal with a pump sprayer. They are forgiving, dry fast, breathe-able (not a moisture barrier), and when they wear they kind of "powder-off". You simple re-seal over the cleaned concrete. I apply them every 2 years on indoor concrete with average wear and every year ( litely, sprayed) if outdoor. Indoor, I use I use Kemiko Easy Shine Mop On Wax to protect the sealer so you never have to re-seal. No need to buff the wax either. It's a great product. See concretetransformed.com
Which is the best sealor for plished concrete surface.Note-Lithium based sealor mentioned here is actually a densifier which actually densifies the concrete.Further polishing is done on that densified concrete and sealor is applied at the last stage.So which sealor will be suitable for that last top application over polished concrete?
Good video, far to many amateurs doing videos on stuff, filling the universe with junk. I'm doing a small project and I have been told from a friend that Weldbond glue mixed with water is good for sealing concrete, you know or is it true about this inexpensive alternative to all the other stuff.
I want to turn my 4 year old heated and insulated garage into a jam space/recording studio for drums and guitars. Do I need to seal my concrete floor or can I just lay down carpets/rugs on the concrete? There will not be cars in the garage and I doubt I will open the garage door often, especially in the winter.
The only reason to seal it is to keep it cleaner. Unsealed concrete is a pain with dust and dirt. Give a good cleaning, then paint a skull and cross bones on the floor, and then seal it! 🤘
Hi can you recommend a sealer that is non toxic non flammable. I'm making vessels for candles with rapid all cement and need a sealer that won't release toxic chemicals while candle is burning. Thanks
Interesting but I'm looking for onfo on basement floors how necessary is it to seal the floor and what product is best for basement built 1954? Lots of clay in area.
Necessary? It really depends. What led you to investigate sealing? Too much dirt? Is the concrete dusting? Is the concrete subject to any water exposure (e.g. hvac condensation drain)?
I primed and then painted the basement recently. Then I used Thompsons Watersealer. It has been sticky without totally drying though. What should I do? I'd like to preserve the paint if possible and definitely remove the stickiness. If I use epoxy over the sticky floor do you think it will adhere and remove the stickiness.
Hello. I am going to seal the concrete subfloor inside my home to reduce inside humidity. Which type of sealer would be best for that? I like the idea of reducing radon as well, but that's not my primary function. I don't care how it looks, as it will be covered by vinyl flooring.
I have an older home and the patio has has some paint on it and then 10 years of artificial turf. I'm now changing the turf and I want to seal the concrete, before getting new turf put on. What can I put on old concrete, that has had cracks treated with concrete silicon, still has paint on it and it has little holes in it. Also it has some adhesive that I can't get off. I can't possibly get all this off before the turf installer comes. What can I cover or seal this with???
Better for what? It would certainly keep water out better in the short term. Eventually that paint will start to peel and need to be recoated and possibly stripped. So from a maintenance perspective, I don't think this approach would be better. It's certainly doable. If you want to paint concrete anyways, then I would do it.
If you want a high gloss look, then an acrylic resin is the way to go. Example include Expo-Gloss, X-4, and Industra-Gloss 350. Occasionally resealing will be required but you can go right over the old coat after cleaning.
Good afternoon. Thanks for a great video. I'm looking to do DIY concrete countertops. Would you recommend a Siliconate sealer for this application? I used to have granite and used the Granite Shield company, but I'm looking for more of a DIY solution and something a bit less expensive. Thanks for your time in replying.
I'm getting ready to reno the basement. I'm researching the best sealer. Penetrating seems the best, idc about the look, as I'm putting an underlayment n vinyl plank floor on top.
What is best to use on molded concrete? I have molded concrete around the foundation of my home and it's starting to crumble. Can I paint over the sealer with a waterproof paint?
Thanks a lot for the informative video. I am very impressed by your knowledge about the different types of sealers! I have a question for you. I have an in ground pool with concrete deck. I have never sealed the deck before and it’s been over 15 years. Now if I walk on the deck barefoot, the bottom of my feet will have some sand. So it seems the sand is coming off the concrete. Is there any sealer that can solve my problem? Thanks in advance.
I would pressure wash it with decent pressure and then try a penetrating sealer. I had a similar issue with a newly poured driveway. Two pressure washes and a sealing later...all good.
What kind of sealer do you recommend with low maintenance dont wanna seal every couple of years but i kinda want that wet look was leaning towards penetrating type idk ... i have a broom finish with color and brick ribbon ..reply is much appreciated ....🙏
Definitely fill the cracks first, but I wouldn't recommend silicone. Use a dedicated product for concrete cracks like Roadware Concrete Mender (expensive) or Sakrete Concrete Crack Filler (inexpensive).
We have a new concrete patio and are wanting to get it sealed. It dusts really bad so we track the fine white dust in the house. We also do a lot of water activities and don’t want something that will make the concrete any more slippery than it already is. What option should we go with?
QUESTION: If I put a high solvent high gloss concrete sealer in my basement... are the high VOC (carcinogen and other toxic materials) fumes STILL considered to be dangerous AFTER the floor dries? Or is it ONLY dangerous while applying and not dry yet? And if the answer is "Yes" these type of VOC sealers are still dangerous for indoor purposes even AFTER the floor dries... do you know of any "High-Gloss" water-based sealers that you would recommend for indoors/basements? Thanks again!
Great information. Thank you for doing this. We have a new home with a standard patio slab (poured and brushed). We added a 4’ wide extension and walkway about 3 months ago. The colors are slightly different. What would you recommend for possibly a stain to even things out and then seal. Durability is our most important concern. I have not seen any tinted siliconate water-based sealers. Thank you so much. We appreciate your help.
I wish I knew what to use on the back concrete deck. It’s like stamped concrete and I want to pressure wash then put a coat of color. It’s on the south side and gets very hot.
I plan to surface-grind a newly poured sidewalk because the broom-finish is too rough. This will leave a smooth cement and aggregate surface. Will a Siliconate sealer work on both the cement and aggregates?
I have an aggregate driveway and sidewalk that I am going to reseal soon. Have you ever sealed aggregate with a silicate or siliconate? Which would you recommend? Thanks
I've been watching a bunch of concrete sealer videos because my tub is a sunken concrete tub that was done by my contractor and he's asking me if I want to keep it untiled and have it sanded and sealed (with a penetrating water based sealer) or tiled. I'm wondering if I do decide to tile it, should it still be waterproofed / sealed underneath the tile anyways? I have a concern that the sanded grout with tile will allow water to penetrate the concrete underneath. Any opinions?
It is not slippery when wet. The water will pool on the surface but the concrete isn't slippery. If you have machine troweled concrete (like you see in a garage or basement), it might become more slippery. I've rarely seen this type of concrete outdoors.
@@ToolboxDIY Thank you for your quick response. Will this sealer prevent mildew from forming on the concrete driveway? This is a problem in Florida. One more thing -- is there a brand that you recommend? Thanks, again!
Very useful, we are moving to a new home with poured concrete garage and driveway (within the last 4 months) and looking for the best way to protect the concrete surfaces before it gets stained from oils and dirt. I like the idea of the penetrating methods. Is there a waiting period suggested before using ANY coating, is it a good idea to use the product that penetrates the small cracks (you mentioned a difference early in the video) then using the one on top of it to get a more water sealing ability? I suspect that would be a great way to protect the exterior specifically but use that process inside also. Lastly, putting a final product on the interior garage floor as a covering. Is this overkill. Thank you
"Coatings", assuming you mean the film forming kind and not penetrating, typically require the concrete be fully cured (which can range from 7-30 days depending on the cement type). The penetrating sealer I used does not require the concrete be fully cured since it allows moisture to escape. I highly recommend sealing cracks first on exterior concrete. If they are large enough, the sealer cannot prevent water from sitting in the cracks and then possibly freezing which expand the crack further. I have used a product called 10 Minute Concrete Mender by Roadware. It's a two part system that works very well and it isn't too difficult to apply. Garages are a bit different. These days most are machine or power troweled so the surface is more dense. You get less moisture absorption from the surface. Since it is only exposed to water from cars, putting down a penetrating sealer isn't as critical. Personally, I love the look of an epoxy finish in the garage. However, I don't recommend this as a DIY job. You can certainly try it if your confident in your skills, but definitely find the products that the pros use. The DIY kits have a short lifetime.
Thanks for your comments, although I was referring to the applications you were using, not sure what "foaming" kind are. I was just looking at the products website you used and know also wondering if water versus solvent based is more appropriate, you suggestion there also would be appreciated. Also, since the basement walls are poured concrete with a imitation brick look, would it be suggested I spray them with one of the products also. This all being done to protect and give better longevity to all of the exposed concrete. Thank you in advance for all your comments.
Solvent vs water based: solvent is more heavy duty in my opinion but requires more safety precautions. I would not recommend a solvent based sealer for interiors unless the house is empty. I've had no issues with water based on the exterior. Basement walls: No need to seal the interior of the walls. The exterior (below grade) should have been waterproofed. If it wasn't, you'll need a special sealer intended to handle hydrostatic pressure. This is not a DIY area so I hope you have no issues here. If you have above grade exterior basement walls (or if part of the wall is above grade and exposed), you could seal these from the outside, but I don't think it is worth the effort. Multiple applications: Don't do it! Unless you are going with a sealer that recommends this. The biggest risk with multiple applications of different sealers is that one type of sealer may not adhere to the other. For example, a penetrating sealer followed by an epoxy will likely result in the epoxy pealing off prematurely. Keep it simple and buy high quality sealers.
Check the datasheet on the sealer you are using but usually between 40F and 100F. That's the temp of the concrete itself not the ambient temp. A cheap laser thermometer comes in handy for this.
cherry wax? Is that one of these or only a coating on top of the sealer? And do any of these solutions have better traction, particularly in wet, indoor use?
That is a highly debatable topic! IMO, solvent based last a little bit longer, but are more of hassle to apply and you have to follow more safety procedures. Applying the water based is so easy, I prefer to use it.
I really like the idea of the Siliconate sealer, for my North facing driveway. Freeze/Thaw over the years is making it crumble. Is it too late to try and preserve what is left? Also, I like the idea of adding a sheen or maybe a richer color. Any suggestions to accomplish this? I appreciate the time you did for this video.
It's probably not too late. Given the relative low cost of DIY sealing, I think it's worth trying. You might be able to at least delay replacement of the concrete. If you want a sheen, an acrylic, polyurethane or polyaspartic sealer can be used. Acrylic is the easiest to apply, polyaspartic more difficult. I find most sealers (with the exception of epoxy) to be rather easy to apply as long as you have a good plan for application.
It depends on the manufacturer but typically the surface temps need to be less than 100F. Siliconates will last for a few years, but subsequent applications are quite easy.
So what do you do with acrylic based when they wear out? I bought some foundation armor 350 because I liked the wet look. It was going to be used inside and out. I'd like to use a low voc for inside that's long lasting with a low sheen wet look. If you just reapply no big deal, if it looks like shit reapplying I'd rather not waste my time.
If you stay on top of it and reapply it before it starts peeling or flaking, it won't look bad. If it peels though, reapplication won't look good. You'd have to strip the old off first.
@ToolboxDIY thanks for the reapply... Is there a penatrating sealer that gives a wet look with a matte finish? I watched your 3 part series, I plan to clean, acid wash in the spring, and seal. It's for inside a finished space and outside porch. If it needs to be stripped inside that's going to be a problem. Outside no big deal.
Hi mate What would you recommend to seal cement pot with? And will sealing prevent cracking? Or would it be better to ad an additive to the cement? Cheers
I have a poured concrete pad 8 x 12 on which I will place a pre-built storage shed, however I wanted to seal the pad first. As you note, there were so many products and product types out there it "made my head spin". I spent hours trying to figure out which product to use, and became increasingly more confused.
It was clear, comprehensive, concise. Professionally delivered. Thank-you so much for this informative video. It is one of the best informational/instructional videos I have ever watched on TH-cam.
Wow. Thanks so much! Excellent video. Old house, and sealing the basement, garage floor, and new concrete walk outside. You saved me so much time and frustration....not just for myself, but for whoever lives in the home after I'm gone. Thanks!!
Excellent informational video for sealer products on TH-cam. Way to go man finally someone who can be straight up with facts so people DIY'ers can make a decision on what they want for their project. Thanks a bunch.
Happy to help!
I have a step concrete on patio, driveway ans some steps. What sealer I cans use to be sure is not slippery in winter. Thank you for the video .
Not boring at all! Exactly what I've been looking for. Thanks
Can you recommend a water based Siliconate for northern freeze and thaw sidewalk please ( 5 years old , cracking, never sealed) and a sealer for a long slippery ramp during freezing temps. Fell and got busted up pretty bad. ( ramp 1 year old, never sealed). Please help. Thank you!
What would you recommend in a basement floor that’s is sweeting?
I widened my concrete driveway, cleaned the old adjacent slabs- do u need to go with acrylic for a consistent color finish one the new and old? I was hoping for something more durable and longer lasting than the HC from Loews…
Let me start by asking your motivation for going with acrylic. Do you have specific needs that acrylic covers?
@@ToolboxDIY I’m not sure how a I’d stain would finish with the adjacent new/old slab in driveway. Plus there are some cracks I started filling. We’d like to go with a simple gray, nothing dark, which I’m actually having a very hard time finding because it seems like everybody wants more exotic colors are dark browns. I am throwing for a skeptical of the acrylic ‘stain’ options though.
Can you make review of cilicone sealer you have used. I want to know how long they last in real life.
Great info. what would you use if you wanted a polished concrete floor for a home, especially in the bathroom?
👍🏻👍🏻Very helpful and thorough. You didn't waste a second in these videos. Thanks!
Great videos, can I use concrete sealer and than go over that with a polyurethane? I have an outside deck that’s concrete underneath. It is my garage and the concrete is always weeping into my garage.
We have brushed concrete with an exposed aggregate ribbon surrounding. What type of sealer can be used on both surfaces without a slippery dangerous outcome. Thank you!
I enjoyed the video! You gave me the exact information I needed to choose the sealer that I want to use in my basement. However, you did not mention any particular brands, nor did you mention a store where it can be purchased. I have been to three different Lowe's stores, Home Depot, Ace Hardware and Harbor Freight. When I told them that I wanted a sodium or lithium silicate concrete sealer, they looked at me like I had a tree sprouting out of my forehead.
What brand do I get? Where is it sold?
Hi, can i apply a penetrating sealer first followed by an acrylic sealer topcoat? Since i like the slight color change in an acrylic sealer but would want the benefit of the more penetrative sealer underneath. Thank you!
*Which is the best one for concrete driveways on residential properties?*
I am looking for a sealer to keep oil/gas/diesel out of the concrete. What would you recommend?
Hello Jeff,
Is the concrete indoor or outdoor? Reactive sealers are great for blocking moisture and preventing freeze/thaw and salt damage, but don't offer the same stain resistances that coatings can provide. On indoor applications epoxy and polyurethane or polyaspartic systems can be used for long lasting resistances. On outdoor applications, breathable acrylic coatings are more popular, but must be re-applied more often.
@@VSEALVideos Inside a pole barn in WNY, I am not looking for a thousands of dollar epoxy job. But have looked at on-line epoxy sales as the local PPG dealer will not sell epoxy to homeowners. Eventually there will be a 12,000lb lift on it & may see steel dozer tracks on it.
Thanks.
Any suggestions on Concrete piers which are cracked due to efflorescence
You made a comment about newer methods of finishing concrete, like using a big power ride-on float. I just had a garage floor poured and they used one of these. Do I even need to seal it all? If so, which type do you recommend? Thanks!
So what type of sealer would Thompson’s Water Seal be? What would be best for Block
Walls, densifier?
Needs advice on which concrete sealer is best for our concrete patio please..
Does this information apply to cool decking around a swimming pool? Should I seal it just like any concrete or would that mess up the cooling surface? Thanks!
Great breakdown!! Thanks! Will view many vids, but this is a great entry to 'what do I want?' Only thing I'd ask for is more in-depth on new/2-5 year/5+ year concrete. (since from all my research concrete never stops curing)
Lol. 5:40
thanks!! what sealer do you recommend for a large exposed aggregate driveway. We also have the issue with salted roads in the winter.
Water based siliconates just be sure to clean the surface very well
@toolboxdiy , what sealer is recommended for exposed aggregated concrete? Also, is there a tinting penetrating sealer you would recommended to add/change color?
What would you recommend for sealing over probable asbestos black mastic on concrete slab? Home was built pre 1970.
Can I use any of these on acid stained concrete? I’m looking for a matte sealer or very low sheen. This homeowner likes low sheen . And the slab is flawed . So the low sheen would look best . I just want to bring out the colors in the stain and not have the sheen . It’s a rental house . So it’ll have a lot of foot traffic. Thank you for the video 😊
Very helpful. My problem is a condo on the first floor in Florida that has a mold problem. The best theory I have received from "experts" is that the concrete slab did not have a vapor barrier below the slab, so my moisture readings are good (about 5% RH) unless it rains, then the floor goes up to 99%RH. So, when it is 68 degrees out and a fairly dry November day, the interior humidity is still about 62% unless the air conditioning is set down to 70 degrees or so. So, they say to seal the floor before I put down vinyl plank flooring. One expert said use Drylock Floor, which is the penetrating type. The other expert said use Mapei Pleniseal PMB, which is a polyurethane compound. What brand would you use, or if you do not want to endorse a specific brand, what type would you use? I suspect you are going to say use a Silicate or a Silicanate if I followed your argument. Since I want to avoid upward water intrusion--sealing the floor with a penetrating sealer would make sense I suspect? Please help.
Hey I have this exact issue, did you ever find a solution?
Seeking a recommendation on a sealer for old concrete in a home. I inherited a home with a cat urine problem on the concrete floor. I’ve tried everything to clean the urine. At this point need to seal the concrete to keep the smell form coming thru the luxury vinyl plank floor esp when the concrete pores open when it rains outside. What type of sealer is recommended?
Very good, thanks for sharing. I had to go out and look at what I'm using on a masonry wall. It's water based acrylic sealer from the local hardware store. I've used it before...seems to be good. When I think of sealer I think of that xylene based toxic chemical smelling stuff that everyone used when I was a kid. I don't want to smell that nasty stuff anymore.
Thanks for this Vid. One question though. Can say, Acrylic or Polyurethane be put ontop of A Penetrating Sealer? Since they're not penetrating and just sits on top.
Great explanation! I'm going to do my pool deck that is about 10 years old but want to stain it also. I want to use a penetrating stain like you said but the question is do I still need to seal it after staining? I've read conflicting articles on this. I would think you would but then agin that is why I'm asking for your opinion. Again great job explaining!!
I thank you for your very informative video. I live Florida and Moss keep growing on the concrete outside my front door even after I power wash it 3 months before. There is no standing water after rainfall. The salesman at Home Depot says its moisture from in the concrete that causes the Moss to grow. Should I use a penetrating sealer to slow the growth or stop the growth of Moss
The penetrating sealer will definitely help. If the slab drains well (meaning it has a slight pitch so that water doesn't just sit on it), then it will probably solve the moss. If water still sits on the slab, moss or algae may still grow but it won't be as bad and it will come off much easier.
@@ToolboxDIY Thank you thank you very much. Water do not sit after a downpour. I like the way the product work
Here in Northern California the weather in the summer gets to the 90s or triple digits. I want to protect my concrete driveway, what is a good sealer that will protect from high heat in the day and cold morning?
Can you paint the concrete once it has been treated with one of the penetrating sealers?
Experts - for radon mitigation install , contractor made a hole in concrete wall and filled the gap around the pipe both inside and outside of concrete wall with Alex Plus Latex Caulk Plus Silicone . Is this good or should I get sealing around pipe with a better product?
Can the penetrating sealant work if the concrete was painted...25 years ago?
How long do the siliconate sealers last? How frequently would you need to reapply
Can a penetrating sealer be used over the top of a high shine acrylic sealer? We are looking for options to fix a bad install job of a specchem acrylic sealer that was recently installed.
I am renovating a basement bathroom and plan to paint the floor. Which sealer would you recommend, and should I put it on before or after the paint?
Seal before with a siliconate penatrating sealer such as Vseal 101 or PS101. These won't interfere with the paint adhesion. Although, I would probably skip the sealer if you're going to paint it.
Super helpful and informative. Thanks for the upload, much appreciated!
Thank you so much! Question -
I’ve just built a house with fully exposed concrete in and out. Lovely and smooth concrete just near the sea. Some walls have been poured 3 months ago while others 4 weeks ago. What sealer should I use that will protect and harden but not alter the look in any way (don’t want the wet look!). Many thanks!
I am remodeling an extremely nasty house where all sort of animals have been pooping and pieing all ever it for many years.
We removed the flooring and the plan after all the chemical treatments, is to seal the concrete before putting new tile in order to definitely prevent those flavors to be released from the concrete.
What do you advise using for this application?
Thank you
There are companies that will treat the concrete floors with enzymes to remove the organics from the urine and poo. After wetting the floor, they cover it with a Saran Wrap type covering to keep it wet while the liquid does its thing. I bought a flip house that had 25 cats. They did have to do 2 treatments but it worked. Another thing I did on that house was to put a big bowl of pine sol in the a/c return and crank up the heat for a couple of days to remove any odors from the ducts
I have an out door, concrete patio. Hanging over the patio is a large pine tree. Sap drops all the time and because it's not sealed in any way, I can't get the sap out of the nooks and grannies. Am I better off with a polyurethane or epoxy sealer. I live in the south west and my days in the summer are over 100 every day, if that makes a difference.
I'd go with a polyurethane over the epoxy. The epoxy will yellow. A penetrating sealer will keep the sap from staining the concrete but it will require more work to clean it off than if you used a poly. Acrylic is also an option. It's not quite as thick as poly so it won't last as long, but I think you'll be happy with it's performance and it's easier to apply.
Great video. What sealer would you recommend for a highrise condo unit with an interior polished concrete floor ?
Thanks for such a clear and well-thought out video explanation. Can I ask for advice on my situation / application?
I'd like to seal a large driveway, of which 520 sqm / 5564 square feet is "new" (32mpa poured 4 months ago) and 80 sqm / 856 square feet is ~30 years old (assume standard 20mpa concrete), comprised of slab under a drive-through carport (consistent / uniform grey surface) and 2 exposed sections with slightly different aggregates - rain and exposure has weathered them so the aggregate is prominent on the surface but they are in good condition and very usable hence not removed when new driveway was constructed. I'd like to seal all the driveway, and would prefer a sealant that can make the driveway look more uniform, preferably a dark charcoal grey. We get a fair bit of leaf staining and some animal droppings staining. My priorities are:
1) Achieve a uniform colour and look as much as possible so it's hard to determine old and new driveway sections.
2) Protect the driveway from staining from leaves / animal droppings.
3) Reduce water penetration so above staining remains surface only for easy pressure-cleaning or just waiting for next rainfall.
4) Be long-lasting so I'm not re-doing it in 5 years.
5) Protect concrete (we don't get frosts or snow) from erosion if possible, although I'll likely sell before I see the new driveway weather like the 30+ year old sections so this is less of a concern.
6) Maintain or increase traction from current unsealed state - kids love running on it and riding bikes / scooters so don't want to end up with a slippery surface.
Thanks for any advice you can provide - from this video I am wondering if the Siliconates have dyes / colour additives that can be used, with different amounts for the different sections, to end up with a fairly uniform appearance, as it would achieve the other points well.
FWIW I'm Down Under and our driveways are 100mm / 4" thick with 82 reo (8mm diameter steel in 200mm x 200mm grid mesh = 5/16" x 8" x 8" mesh in 8' x 20' sheets tied) usually 20mpa but I got a very cheap upgrade to 32mpa for the new section so took advantage.
How would putting chips in the epoxy help with traction? There's a top coat or two that goes on top of the epoxy to give it a nicer shiny appearance.
Thanks for the video series. I had a failed epoxy floor that I have ground off with a concrete grinder. I now want to protect the floor from oil stains and salt but Im unsure If I should use a a siliconate or an acrylic sealer. I wouldn't mind applying an acrylic every couple years but Im unsure if I would have to strip it every time . If I use siliconate sealer I'm afraid of oil stains especially since I knocked off some of the cream with a grinder and perform my own oil changes in the garage. Any sugestions?
What did you end up using?
Acrylic sealers, Like Kemiko Stone Tone 2, do not have to be stripped. You should clean the floor with a neutral cleaner and a stiff broom brush. Rinse, re-rinse, let dry. Then spray seal with a pump sprayer. They are forgiving, dry fast, breathe-able (not a moisture barrier), and when they wear they kind of "powder-off". You simple re-seal over the cleaned concrete. I apply them every 2 years on indoor concrete with average wear and every year ( litely, sprayed) if outdoor. Indoor, I use I use Kemiko Easy Shine Mop On Wax to protect the sealer so you never have to re-seal. No need to buff the wax either. It's a great product. See concretetransformed.com
Which is the best sealor for plished concrete surface.Note-Lithium based sealor mentioned here is actually a densifier which actually densifies the concrete.Further polishing is done on that densified concrete and sealor is applied at the last stage.So which sealor will be suitable for that last top application over polished concrete?
Good video, far to many amateurs doing videos on stuff, filling the universe with junk. I'm doing a small project and I have been told from a friend that Weldbond glue mixed with water is good for sealing concrete, you know or is it true about this inexpensive alternative to all the other stuff.
Any thoughts in what would be a good sealer for surcreate. We applied it indoors as a coating over a concrete floor.
Thank you!
I want to turn my 4 year old heated and insulated garage into a jam space/recording studio for drums and guitars. Do I need to seal my concrete floor or can I just lay down carpets/rugs on the concrete? There will not be cars in the garage and I doubt I will open the garage door often, especially in the winter.
The only reason to seal it is to keep it cleaner. Unsealed concrete is a pain with dust and dirt. Give a good cleaning, then paint a skull and cross bones on the floor, and then seal it! 🤘
Hi can you recommend a sealer that is non toxic non flammable. I'm making vessels for candles with rapid all cement and need a sealer that won't release toxic chemicals while candle is burning. Thanks
Interesting but I'm looking for onfo on basement floors how necessary is it to seal the floor and what product is best for basement built 1954? Lots of clay in area.
Necessary? It really depends. What led you to investigate sealing? Too much dirt? Is the concrete dusting? Is the concrete subject to any water exposure (e.g. hvac condensation drain)?
@@ToolboxDIY No structure issues with the floor. I skipped it and put in a system. DMX dimple membrane. then vynl flooring.
I primed and then painted the basement recently. Then I used Thompsons Watersealer. It has been sticky without totally drying though. What should I do? I'd like to preserve the paint if possible and definitely remove the stickiness. If I use epoxy over the sticky floor do you think it will adhere and remove the stickiness.
Hello. I am going to seal the concrete subfloor inside my home to reduce inside humidity. Which type of sealer would be best for that? I like the idea of reducing radon as well, but that's not my primary function. I don't care how it looks, as it will be covered by vinyl flooring.
I have an older home and the patio has has some paint on it and then 10 years of artificial turf. I'm now changing the turf and I want to seal the concrete, before getting new turf put on. What can I put on old concrete, that has had cracks treated with concrete silicon, still has paint on it and it has little holes in it. Also it has some adhesive that I can't get off. I can't possibly get all this off before the turf installer comes. What can I cover or seal this with???
what sealer do you use for pervious concrete driveway?
I plan on using some peal and stick on tile. Is it necessary to seal under this type of flooring?
Are there stains that work well with penetrating sealers?
What would be the best sealer to go on top of stained concrete
This video series are really helpful. Thanks a lot.
What would you recommend to seal concrete garden statuary thsts been gray wash painted?
Very helpful Video series, what kind sealer do you recommend for outdoor brick staircase, thank you.
Hi, would it be much better if you apply concrete sealer first then apply with double coat with waterproofing paint? Thanks
Better for what? It would certainly keep water out better in the short term. Eventually that paint will start to peel and need to be recoated and possibly stripped. So from a maintenance perspective, I don't think this approach would be better. It's certainly doable. If you want to paint concrete anyways, then I would do it.
Hello... what is the best sealer for smooth concrete with water based dyes on top?
Hello. What would you recommend for a 20 year old aggregate driveway? Preferably high gloss...Thank You!
If you want a high gloss look, then an acrylic resin is the way to go. Example include Expo-Gloss, X-4, and Industra-Gloss 350. Occasionally resealing will be required but you can go right over the old coat after cleaning.
@@ToolboxDIY How does an acrylic resin hold up to like gas and oil? What if I spilled some gas on the driveway while filling the mower...
Good afternoon. Thanks for a great video. I'm looking to do DIY concrete countertops. Would you recommend a Siliconate sealer for this application? I used to have granite and used the Granite Shield company, but I'm looking for more of a DIY solution and something a bit less expensive. Thanks for your time in replying.
also interested in this application
How long can silicate penetrating sealer resisist water penetration in a concave concrete surface? (Horizontal/outdoor)
I have the same problem and no answer.
I'm getting ready to reno the basement. I'm researching the best sealer. Penetrating seems the best, idc about the look, as I'm putting an underlayment n vinyl plank floor on top.
If you are putting underlayment and then vinyl plank, what are you hoping to accomplish with the sealer?
Thanks! Exactly the info I needed.
Hi.. can the penetrating sealers be applied on brick also?
What is best to use on molded concrete? I have molded concrete around the foundation of my home and it's starting to crumble. Can I paint over the sealer with a waterproof paint?
Thanks a lot for the informative video. I am very impressed by your knowledge about
the different types of sealers!
I have a question for you. I have an in ground pool with concrete deck. I have never sealed the deck before and it’s
been over 15 years. Now if I walk on the deck barefoot, the bottom of my feet will have some sand. So it seems the sand is coming off the
concrete. Is there any sealer that can solve my problem? Thanks in advance.
I would pressure wash it with decent pressure and then try a penetrating sealer. I had a similar issue with a newly poured driveway. Two pressure washes and a sealing later...all good.
What kind of sealer do you recommend with low maintenance dont wanna seal every couple of years but i kinda want that wet look was leaning towards penetrating type idk ... i have a broom finish with color and brick ribbon ..reply is much appreciated ....🙏
Is it possible to tell what type of a sealer has been used prior ? Indoor use
dou have any suggestions for driveway sealers or paints type that can be used ?
If its older concrete with cracks in it do we fill the cracks first using silicone or crack repair before using siliconate sealer
Definitely fill the cracks first, but I wouldn't recommend silicone. Use a dedicated product for concrete cracks like Roadware Concrete Mender (expensive) or Sakrete Concrete Crack Filler (inexpensive).
Awesome, thanks
We have a new concrete patio and are wanting to get it sealed. It dusts really bad so we track the fine white dust in the house. We also do a lot of water activities and don’t want something that will make the concrete any more slippery than it already is. What option should we go with?
QUESTION: If I put a high solvent high gloss concrete sealer in my basement... are the high VOC (carcinogen and other toxic materials) fumes STILL considered to be dangerous AFTER the floor dries? Or is it ONLY dangerous while applying and not dry yet?
And if the answer is "Yes" these type of VOC sealers are still dangerous for indoor purposes even AFTER the floor dries... do you know of any "High-Gloss" water-based sealers that you would recommend for indoors/basements? Thanks again!
Great information. Thank you for doing this. We have a new home with a standard patio slab (poured and brushed). We added a 4’ wide extension and walkway about 3 months ago. The colors are slightly different. What would you recommend for possibly a stain to even things out and then seal. Durability is our most important concern. I have not seen any tinted siliconate water-based sealers. Thank you so much. We appreciate your help.
I wish I knew what to use on the back concrete deck. It’s like stamped concrete and I want to pressure wash then put a coat of color. It’s on the south side and gets very hot.
Why do you prefer siliconate vs Silane-Siloxane
I plan to surface-grind a newly poured sidewalk because the broom-finish is too rough. This will leave a smooth cement and aggregate surface. Will a Siliconate sealer work on both the cement and aggregates?
I have an aggregate driveway and sidewalk that I am going to reseal soon. Have you ever sealed aggregate with a silicate or siliconate? Which would you recommend? Thanks
The sealer I used is VSeal 101. They claim that it also works for aggregate but I've never tried it so I can't personally vouch for it.
I've been watching a bunch of concrete sealer videos because my tub is a sunken concrete tub that was done by my contractor and he's asking me if I want to keep it untiled and have it sanded and sealed (with a penetrating water based sealer) or tiled. I'm wondering if I do decide to tile it, should it still be waterproofed / sealed underneath the tile anyways? I have a concern that the sanded grout with tile will allow water to penetrate the concrete underneath. Any opinions?
Is the water-based siliconate penetrating sealant slippery when wet? Will it prevent black algae from forming?
It is not slippery when wet. The water will pool on the surface but the concrete isn't slippery. If you have machine troweled concrete (like you see in a garage or basement), it might become more slippery. I've rarely seen this type of concrete outdoors.
@@ToolboxDIY Thank you for your quick response. Will this sealer prevent mildew from forming on the concrete driveway? This is a problem in Florida. One more thing -- is there a brand that you recommend? Thanks, again!
Very useful, we are moving to a new home with poured concrete garage and driveway (within the last 4 months) and looking for the best way to protect the concrete surfaces before it gets stained from oils and dirt. I like the idea of the penetrating methods. Is there a waiting period suggested before using ANY coating, is it a good idea to use the product that penetrates the small cracks (you mentioned a difference early in the video) then using the one on top of it to get a more water sealing ability? I suspect that would be a great way to protect the exterior specifically but use that process inside also. Lastly, putting a final product on the interior garage floor as a covering. Is this overkill. Thank you
"Coatings", assuming you mean the film forming kind and not penetrating, typically require the concrete be fully cured (which can range from 7-30 days depending on the cement type). The penetrating sealer I used does not require the concrete be fully cured since it allows moisture to escape.
I highly recommend sealing cracks first on exterior concrete. If they are large enough, the sealer cannot prevent water from sitting in the cracks and then possibly freezing which expand the crack further. I have used a product called 10 Minute Concrete Mender by Roadware. It's a two part system that works very well and it isn't too difficult to apply.
Garages are a bit different. These days most are machine or power troweled so the surface is more dense. You get less moisture absorption from the surface. Since it is only exposed to water from cars, putting down a penetrating sealer isn't as critical. Personally, I love the look of an epoxy finish in the garage. However, I don't recommend this as a DIY job. You can certainly try it if your confident in your skills, but definitely find the products that the pros use. The DIY kits have a short lifetime.
Thanks for your comments, although I was referring to the applications you were using, not sure what "foaming" kind are. I was just looking at the products website you used and know also wondering if water versus solvent based is more appropriate, you suggestion there also would be appreciated. Also, since the basement walls are poured concrete with a imitation brick look, would it be suggested I spray them with one of the products also. This all being done to protect and give better longevity to all of the exposed concrete. Thank you in advance for all your comments.
Oh, you didn't comment on the multiple applications with the different products. All may be way overkill!
Solvent vs water based: solvent is more heavy duty in my opinion but requires more safety precautions. I would not recommend a solvent based sealer for interiors unless the house is empty. I've had no issues with water based on the exterior.
Basement walls: No need to seal the interior of the walls. The exterior (below grade) should have been waterproofed. If it wasn't, you'll need a special sealer intended to handle hydrostatic pressure. This is not a DIY area so I hope you have no issues here. If you have above grade exterior basement walls (or if part of the wall is above grade and exposed), you could seal these from the outside, but I don't think it is worth the effort.
Multiple applications: Don't do it! Unless you are going with a sealer that recommends this. The biggest risk with multiple applications of different sealers is that one type of sealer may not adhere to the other. For example, a penetrating sealer followed by an epoxy will likely result in the epoxy pealing off prematurely. Keep it simple and buy high quality sealers.
All great info... thank you
I am in Seattle and the driveway laid last week. What temperature would you recommend for sealing?
Check the datasheet on the sealer you are using but usually between 40F and 100F. That's the temp of the concrete itself not the ambient temp. A cheap laser thermometer comes in handy for this.
Is sealed concrete more slippery if you use the sealer you recommend for most homeowners?
cherry wax? Is that one of these or only a coating on top of the sealer? And do any of these solutions have better traction, particularly in wet, indoor use?
Is solvent based acrylic better than water washed acrylic?
That is a highly debatable topic! IMO, solvent based last a little bit longer, but are more of hassle to apply and you have to follow more safety procedures. Applying the water based is so easy, I prefer to use it.
I really like the idea of the Siliconate sealer, for my North facing driveway. Freeze/Thaw over the years is making it crumble. Is it too late to try and preserve what is left? Also, I like the idea of adding a sheen or maybe a richer color. Any suggestions to accomplish this? I appreciate the time you did for this video.
It's probably not too late. Given the relative low cost of DIY sealing, I think it's worth trying. You might be able to at least delay replacement of the concrete.
If you want a sheen, an acrylic, polyurethane or polyaspartic sealer can be used. Acrylic is the easiest to apply, polyaspartic more difficult. I find most sealers (with the exception of epoxy) to be rather easy to apply as long as you have a good plan for application.
Siliconates-can it be applied on 100degree+ weather concrete? Will it last?
It depends on the manufacturer but typically the surface temps need to be less than 100F. Siliconates will last for a few years, but subsequent applications are quite easy.
@@ToolboxDIY which manufacturer do you recommend for a hot humid weather mostly sunny?
Which sealers are sage to plants for concrete pottery
just bought a Newly built house all concrete is basically brand new not treated what do you recommend i use to keep its natural look.
Pls how can you share with me the chemicals use in producing the acrylic sealer? I am doing a project on it.
So what do you do with acrylic based when they wear out? I bought some foundation armor 350 because I liked the wet look. It was going to be used inside and out. I'd like to use a low voc for inside that's long lasting with a low sheen wet look. If you just reapply no big deal, if it looks like shit reapplying I'd rather not waste my time.
If you stay on top of it and reapply it before it starts peeling or flaking, it won't look bad. If it peels though, reapplication won't look good. You'd have to strip the old off first.
@ToolboxDIY thanks for the reapply... Is there a penatrating sealer that gives a wet look with a matte finish? I watched your 3 part series, I plan to clean, acid wash in the spring, and seal. It's for inside a finished space and outside porch. If it needs to be stripped inside that's going to be a problem. Outside no big deal.
Hi mate What would you recommend to seal cement pot with?
And will sealing prevent cracking?
Or would it be better to ad an additive to the cement?
Cheers
Can you dilute the sealer? Or apply straight?
I would not recommend diluting the sealer unless you purchase a sealer that has specific instructions on how to dilute.