Why is sealing concrete floors important?

Concrete floors are known for their strength, durability and low maintenance. But if they remain unsealed, then many of these benefits are lost. 

Luckily, all it takes is regular sealing to get the best from your concrete floor and boost its lifespan. 

In this article, we’ll be exploring concrete floor sealing, how it’s carried out and why it’s so important for concrete quality. 

The benefits of a concrete floor

Concrete floors offer plenty of benefits for garages, outdoor structures, and commercial and industrial buildings. The best qualities of a concrete floor include:  

• Durability
• High strength
• Excellent load-bearing ability 
• Quick, easy laying
• Low maintenance 
• Resistance to fire and damp

However, you’ll only enjoy all these benefits if the concrete floor is sealed.

Is it worth sealing a concrete floor?

Neglecting to seal a concrete floor can result in damage and degradation occurring more easily, shortening the lifespan of your concrete floor. 

But why exactly is sealing concrete floors worth it? 

• Prevent mould growth. If you don’t seal the concrete floor, moisture can seep in and provide the perfect conditions for mould and mildew growth. Boost the damp resistance of your concrete floor by sealing it. 
• Preserve colour and vibrancy: Is your concrete floor coloured? Sealing will retain its colour and vibrancy, and can prevent it from becoming too faded over time. 
• Protects against the elements: UV, spillages, climate, heat – there are lots of environmental factors that can degrade a concrete floor and sealing it will improve its ability to resist these factors. 
• Longer lifespan. Concrete sealers provide an extra layer of protection that prevents damage and slows degradation. Naturally, this means your concrete floor will enjoy a longer lifespan. 

So, now you know the benefits of sealing your concrete floor, how do you go about it? 

How do you seal a concrete floor?

Firstly, choose the right sealer. There are several types of concrete sealer available, including topical application sealer and penetrating sealer. Do your research to find the right type for your needs. 

Next, get the area set up. You’ll want to ventilate the room and remove everything that’s unnecessary, just leaving the floor exposed. It’s also important to improve the quality of the concrete as much as you can before the application of the sealer. This means sweeping, degreasing, removing oil, washing, filling in any cracks, and then waiting for the floor to dry before sealing. 

Finally, follow the instructions on your concrete sealer container to make sure the application is done correctly. 

How often should you seal a concrete floor?

Depending on the sealant used, it’s usually recommended that you seal a concrete floor every 2 to 5 years to ensure that quality is maintained. 

Searching for high-quality concrete for floors, walls and other structures? Here at Sussex Ready Mix Concrete, we provide affordable and bespoke mixes to suit any project, also laying the concrete itself to guarantee you an outstanding result. Contact us to arrange your delivery in Hove, Shoreham, Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath, Brighton, Worthing and beyond.