Why seal my concrete?
Is it necessary?

     What you do to your concrete in the first 90 days, can determine it’s life !
What you do after 90 days may save it !

If it wasn’t important and many times mandatory to seal concrete, then why have concrete scientists, architects and material engineers been sealing concrete for 50 years? Here’s why, because it is a fact, not somebody’s opinion that sealing concrete protects, strengthens and improves overall life and appearance.  The problem here is contractors and finishers have not or will not take the time to complete the job. There is an old attitude with concrete placement and that is to put it down and get out, usually to the next job. Always fighting time, weather and money do not make it easier to get quality work. When there is a great market for this field, which there is, then why mess with the details if another bigger better paying job is around the corner. Consequently inferior work follows such a trend. Did you know that concrete is the world’s second most used resource other than water.

Point in case, whenever you see good condition concrete after years have gone by, makes you wonder what they did to preserve it so well. The key is to do it right in the beginning or treat it as soon as possible no matter what the age or condition. If you have the ability to control the cure then seal, this will always be the best scenario, but don’t get discouraged if it is now or 50 years later, you can still step in and deter future problems.

In addition to the physical properties of concrete the chemical properties are often overlooked until damage is beyond repair or expensive to rectify. In actuality physical deterioration is usually caused by the lack of chemical concrete properties protection.

Let us close with some facts and tidbits that should hit home.

·    Sealing Concrete with V-SEAL densifies and strengthens new concrete

               10-15 % and 50-65% in deteriorated concrete

• Finishes the job, completes closure, chemically links w/concrete substrate

• Significantly prevents intrusion of impurities: Examples

o Chlorides ( salts, salt in the air ) cause for aggressive corrosion

o Hydro-carbons & carbonation, carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

                      penetrates concrete, reacts, lowers ph and corrosion begins

o Mold, mildew, oil, rust stains, acids, chemicals, sugars, fermenting  

     liquids, animal oils-urine & most stains in general

o ASR-Alkali silicate reaction, pitting, churting, flaking, scaling, aggregate       

                      popping, crazing, hairline cracks & freeze/thaw problems

• 50% of concrete problems are the concrete composition, 30% is the way it is placed or finished, 10% is the cure, 10% is the seal. Chemically matching the cure & the seal is the most optimum protection for your concrete.