If you are looking forward to an option that prolongs the longevity of your concrete floors and polishes the surface, densifiers play a vital role. Typically, the densifiers penetrate through the top layers of the concrete structure and improve its durability. Furthermore, they also help in reinforcing concrete floors. You can use densifiers meant for concrete surfaces to create a gradual shine over the period. Consequently, the densifiers add shine to concrete surfaces and make them look better. With densifiers, you can also make the concrete surface resist the penetration of moisture. Therefore, you must not ignore the function of densifiers if you want the concrete floor to last for several years.
Understanding the difference between densifiers and sealers
The concrete densifiers differ from sealers and the latter is a topical application that forms a film-like coating on the floor. Typically, the sealers are made from epoxies, acrylics, waxes and urethanes. Sealers usually peel off over time and homeowners need to apply it again.
On the other hand, the concrete densifiers add strength to your concrete floor while pervading suitably through the first layer where most of the damage occurs. The densifiers for concrete make the pores and imperfections tight to retain the integrity of the structure fully well and they do not come out or peel off with ease. So, when using concrete densifier and sealer, you need to know which one can work better to retain the longevity of the concrete floor.
How the densifier works on the floor
If you have unending concerns about concrete densifier and sealer, they have been in use for several decades. The densifier is a hardening agent used in the flooring industry for several years for enhancing the resistance of floors to abrasion, polishing, reducing the tendency of moisture, and making them less prone to accumulation of dust. The contractors apply them to hard and machine troweled, along with smooth concrete. Here is how the densifiers function.
- The concrete densifiers usually contain chemicals, such as lithium silicates and when you apply them to concrete floors, a chemical reaction occurs.
- Due to the reaction, the densifiers combine with calcium and free lime that is naturally present in the concrete, resulting in the formation of calcium silicate hydrate or CSH that helps in reinforcing the pores of the concrete.
- The substance formed in the reaction helps fill and tighten the concrete surface pores and enhances surface density.
- The lithium-based densifiers can penetrate more deeply and preferred for a majority of applications.
- Lithium densifiers are commonly used for floors due to easy application methods and a less reactive tendency to carbon dioxide that can create a whitening effect.
- Lithium densifiers are also preferred as they can remove road salts and allow the concrete to retain its natural look.
- Unlike sealers, the densifiers do not form a topical film on the surface of the floor and protect it from staining.
You can increase the value of your home with concrete densifier and sealer with the help of professional contractors. The concrete densifiers do not repel water and do not form any membrane on the subsurface for repelling liquids and that is why they are trusted for protecting the floors of garages.
Use of sealers
The sealers are known for penetration and serve a multitude of purposes. The concrete contractors use sealers on bare surfaces made from concrete to protect them from staining, erosion, and natural elements like UV rays, weather, and extreme temperatures. When it comes to choosing a hardening agent for concrete surfaces, silicate concrete sealers are fast becoming a good choice, although they may not offer protection from water damage. Therefore, you can prolong the concrete surface with a concrete densifier and sealer when used appropriately. The following points highlight the types of sealers to use.
- The epoxy sealers are suitable for design and leave the surface of the concrete shiny with colour
- You can also add a non-slip coating to epoxy sealers and allow them to make industrial and garage floors safe.
- The polyurethane sealers work right for outdoor and indoor surfaces, especially in the high traffic areas as they do not fade or turn yellow over the period.
- The acrylic sealers make the surface of the concrete shiny and can be used for both indoor and outdoor surfaces.
Benefits of using concrete densifier with added sealer
When it comes to using concrete densifier and sealer, you need to note the following.
- The blending of densifier and sealer comes with added strength and resistance to abrasion, making it the right option for concrete floors.
- Helps in keeping away fluids and liquids and make the floors stain-resistant.
- With a concrete densifier and sealer, it is easy to enhance the compressive strength of the floor.
- While the densifier and sealer do not come out or peel off easily, they help prevent moisture from forming the floor, especially on garage floors.
- The combination of densifier and sealer makes the floor slip-resistant and is comparatively inexpensive.
- You can make these floors last longer without the need to apply densifier and sealer again.
Hiring professional concrete contractors
Among the flooring options available, concrete is a sustainable option to choose as it helps in saving money in the long run. Although homeowners tend to go for the DIY approach, professional contractors can best decide what works best on the concrete surface of your home. Here is why you need to go with professional concrete contractors for the application of concrete densifier and sealer.
- Saving the cost of machinery and minimize the chances of mishaps.
- It requires a lot of practice, experience, and skills to apply densifier and sealer on the concrete floors, which the professional concrete specialists can go more smoothly.
- With DIY work, the length of time for applying densifier and sealer can go far and wide but the concrete contractor you appoint can go to any length to go ahead with the work with ease.
When you are stuck between different options during the application of the densifier and sealer, hiring a professional ensures that the surface absorbs the silicate solution and becomes dry at the same rate.