Choosing a Concrete Sealer | Part 2 – Sealing Concrete

Choosing a Concrete Sealer | Part 2 – Sealing Concrete

Finding a concrete sealer can be daunting with all the options out there. We put in the research time so you don’t have to! This know-how video will run through your options and outline the use cases for each type of product. This is a helpful video in and of itself, but it is also the 2nd of three videos on sealing concrete:

*Part 2 – Choosing a Concrete Sealer*

In this video we’ll cover four primary types of sealers:
1. Penetrating sealers
2. Acrylic sealers
3. Polyurethanes
4. Epoxies

We spend the bulk of the time covering the maze of penetrating sealers. Primarily due to these being the best choice for residential, outdoor concrete where you don’t want the appearance or surface of the concrete altered. They are super easy to apply, will prolong the life of you concrete, and make annual cleaning a whole lot easier!

Chapter Links
00:51 Types of Concrete Sealers
01:16 Characteristics of Penetrating Sealers
02:48 Penetrating Sealer - Silane
03:23 Penetrating Sealer - Siloxane
03:43 Penetrating Sealer - Silicate
04:48 Penetrating Sealer - Siliconate
05:48 Recommended Penetrating Sealer
06:04 Film forming Sealers
06:13 Acrylic
07:04 Polyurethane
07:39 Epoxy

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Polyaspartic sealers are not covered in this video. Mainly, due to these not being a very DIY friendly product. Application can be quite tricky.

[philipjacques]

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 Youtube.

[charlesmitchell]

Excellent informational video for sealer products on YouTube. 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.

[GregoryGuay]

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…

[martinschulz]

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.

[mohanjay]

Thanks.
Any suggestions on Concrete piers which are cracked due to efflorescence

[seanmcguire]

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.

[luilu]

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!

[jeffspencer]

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!

[ronbo]

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!!

[zthemoney]

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

[phigokins]

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.

[rk]

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!

[satishpallamala]

This video series are really helpful. Thanks a lot.

[rentalproperty]

thanks!! what sealer do you recommend for a large exposed aggregate driveway. We also have the issue with salted roads in the winter.

[WinmanDesigner]

Can the penetrating sealant work if the concrete was painted...25 years ago?

[seangorney]

So what type of sealer would Thompson’s Water Seal be? What would be best for Block
Walls, densifier?

[WatchJason]

what sealer do you use for pervious concrete driveway?

[rolandgoldberg]

hi could you help and if possible advise . i have used different tips of floor sealants on the concrete . it is around a pool and continues into a patio, after two years starts turning white spots and the color of the color concrete starts fading and i have to stripe and re seal its becoming a pain .please help.

[lewis]

Is sealed concrete more slippery if you use the sealer you recommend for most homeowners?

[SydneyPanda]

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!