Seal Concrete Floors

Decorative concrete floors are gaining popularity as an alternative to tile or natural stone products. Whether the concrete floor is indoors, in the basement or in the garage, it is porous and should be sealed to prevent staining. When the concrete floor has a stain applied, it is particularly important to seal the floor to preserve the color. You can choose a sealer with either a matte or gloss sheen. This article provides guidance on how to properly seal concrete floors in your home or garage.

Steps

  1. Remove everything from the room that you wish to seal. This isn’t a project where you can segment the area.
  2. Pry the molding or baseboard from the walls using the aid of a pry bar or putty knife. Insert the pry bar or putty knife gently and pull slowly so not to crack or break any of the baseboard or moldings.
  3. Sweep up any debris that remains on the floor. Dirt, dust, dead bugs, nails and other materials need to be completely removed in order to prep the concrete floors for sealing.
  4. Open windows and doors in the room so that it is well ventilated.
  5. Degrease the concrete floors using a degreasing product. The degreasing product will lift any oils that have soaked into the concrete floor over time. Simply mix the solution as instructed on the package (usually by diluting in a bucket of water) and spreading across the concrete floor using a brush or mop.
  6. Scrub any particularly oily areas with a wire brush to help the excess oil emerge from the concrete.
  7. Rinse the concrete surface by mopping. Simply use clean water and mop and squeeze repeatedly until the degreasing product and any dirt and debris has been removed.
  8. Allow the entire surface to dry completely. This process may take up to 24 hours. You may accelerate this process by placing dehumidifiers and fans blowing onto the concrete surface.
  9. Fill any cracks or crevices with quick-drying concrete filler. This will ensure that you have created a completely level surface before sealing. Simple squeeze the filler into the cracks and smooth with a putty knife.
  10. Let the concrete filler dry for several hours as directed on the packaging.
  11. Pour a small amount of concrete sealer into a painting tray.
  12. Apply the sealer evenly to the floor.
    • Use a paint brush to first seal around the edges of the room.
    • Use a paint roller with an extension pole to apply the sealer over the rest of the floor. Work from one corner of the room toward an exit so that you do not box yourself in.
  13. Give the sealer the proper time to dry. Usually about 12 to 24 hours. Again, this process can be aided by fans or dehumidifiers.
  14. Nail the molding and baseboards back into the base of the wall and return the furnishings to the room.

Tips

  • Repeat the concrete sealing process every 5 years for optimal concrete floor longevity.
  • Depending on how greasy the surface is, you may need to repeat the degreasing process several times before finally sealing the floor.
  • If you choose to stain the concrete surface with a color or decorative pattern such as an acid wash, it should be performed after the cracks have been filled. This will add extra time to the process as the stain or acid must be applied and then allowed to dry.

Warnings

  • Wear rubber gloves, long pants, a long shirt and eye protection to seal concrete floors, as the degreaser and sealer are an irritant to the skin and eyes.

Things You'll Need

  • Pry bar
  • Broom
  • Dustpan
  • Degreaser
  • Bucket
  • Wire brush
  • Mop
  • Quick-dry concrete filler
  • Putty knife
  • Concrete sealer
  • Painting tray
  • Paint brush
  • Roller with extension pole
  • Hammer
  • Nails

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Sources and Citations

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