How to Protect a Concrete Floor
Posted on: 10 January 2018
The concrete floor installed in your home's garage, or poured concrete floors inside the home, will be very durable, but will still need some protection. Concrete is not indestructible, and how you treat and maintain this surface will affect its overall longevity and its condition, as well as its appearance. Note a few tips on protecting concrete floors at home, so you can ensure these surfaces are always in the best shape possible, and that you are not doing anything to actually damage them over time.
Sealer
Concrete should be regularly treated with a urethane sealer. This might be annually, or even more often, depending on the location of the floor, humidity levels in the area, and your everyday traffic over the concrete. Concrete is very porous and this sealer will help to block off those pores, keeping the concrete more solidified. This sealer will also keep the concrete from absorbing water and humidity. In turn, the concrete will be less likely to suffer cracks and chips, or spalling along the surface. Your concrete installer can tell you how often you should apply a concrete protective coating and how often the old sealant should be sanded and removed before a new coat is applied.
Coating
An epoxy coating is not as protective as a sealer, but it can keep the concrete protected from surface spills. This can ensure the concrete doesn't discolour, or suffer damage from absorbing whatever material is spilled or dripped on its surface, such as motor oil and other automotive fluids. An epoxy coating can also give concrete colour, or at least a bit of shine, for a more attractive look.
Cleaning and drying
While concrete is very durable, it can suffer stains and other damage from items being dropped or spilled on its surface, as said, and can also absorb standing water. Keeping concrete clean and dry can then help to keep it in good condition; in the garage, keep a rubber-bristled brush on hand that you can use to sweep away any humidity as it settles on concrete. Sawdust can also be used to absorb fluids so they can be removed easily. In the home, you might invest in a wet-dry vacuum that can quickly remove any liquids and fluids from the concrete floor, and be sure that the floor is as dry as possible so that it doesn't get softened and then eventually chip or crack.
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