Sealing your concrete, whether indoor or outdoor, is a great choice. Not only does sealed concrete look better, but it’s better protected against spills, stains, and general wear. However, if a floor is sealed incorrectly, glaring issues can arise that ruin your floor’s appearance and durability.

Concrete sealant is a powerful chemical that’s designed to bond with your concrete flooring. That means it’s not easy to remove, should things go wrong. It’s best to avoid these issues, or you could have an unfortunate situation on your hands.

Bubbles

If you see bubbles in your dried sealer, you have a problem. This is the result of air trying (and failing) to escape through the sealer that’s been applied. The cause of bubbles can vary. In some cases, it can be due to the conditions under which the sealer was applied. If the concrete is too cold or the air is too warm, it can cause bubbles to form.

More often, however, it’s because the sealer has been applied too heavily. This prevents air from escaping the coating before it dries.

White Spots (Blushing)

Cloudy, white discoloration in your sealed concrete is known as blushing, and it can be very unsightly. This often results from sealing concrete that has moisture trapped inside. It’s important to let concrete fully dry and settle before a sealer is applied. Otherwise, remaining moisture can get trapped under the sealer, resulting in blushing.

Even if the concrete has fully cured, it can still get damp from weather and the surrounding environment. If the sealer gets wet while it’s still drying, white spots can form as well. Finally, if the sealer dries too quickly (from high temperatures), the chemicals might separate, resulting in white spots.

Flaking and Peeling

Peeling and flaky concrete sealer can result from some of the same factors that cause blushing. Concrete should always be fully dry and thoroughly cleaned before sealer is applied. Excess moisture and other contaminants are likely to prevent it from fully bonding with the concrete, resulting in flaking and/or peeling.

Blotchy/Inconsistent

Sealed concrete should have a consistent appearance. Often, however, there are uneven patches, dark spots, streaks, and more. This could be caused by a number of things. In some cases, it may simply be the sealer emphasizing the original appearance of the concrete. If the base concrete is blotchy, the sealed concrete will likely look blotchy as well. This may be remedied with concrete stain.

In other cases, a blotchy appearance may be due to inconsistent application, a lack of proper cleaning, and other factors.

How to Avoid Sealer Problems

Using the right tools, preparing the area, and properly applying the sealer are all key to avoiding problems down the road. However, experience and professional knowhow are equally important. Even if you rent or buy tools, and you follow instructions from a box or internet article, tiny mistakes and oversights can happen.

When it comes to sealing your concrete, the smallest error can still cause significant problems in the finished product.

That’s why hiring a professional flooring contractor is the best way to avoid sealer problems. Just make sure you hire a reputable one with proven experience. At Select Flooring Systems, we have over 20 years of experience finishing floors in homes, offices, showrooms, garages, landscapes, and more. We utilize state of the art equipment and high-quality products so that you get the highest quality finish.

For a professional concrete sealer in Ohio, contact Select Flooring Systems today!