WHY CONCRETE DENSIFIERS ARE
THE NEW GARAGE FLOOR SEALER
Concrete
densifier with sealer on a garage floor
A new trend that is slowly
working its way into the garage is the use of a concrete densifier sealer on
the garage floor. Densifiers have been used on occasion in the garage for
a variety of reasons, but rarely as an actual finished garage flooring
treatment. So why has there been a gradual increase in its use and
popularity for the garage floor?
The reason is the addition
of silicone and siliconate agents in some densifiers to act as a sealer. This helps to create not only a water repellant floor,
but one that is resistant to liquids in general. So let’s take a closer
look at how a concrete densifier with sealer on your garage floor may be
beneficial for you.
HOW A CONCRETE DENSIFIER
WORKS ON A GARAGE FLOOR
Concrete densifiers have been around for decades. They are a concrete
hardener and in the flooring industry used primarily for concrete floor
polishing, abrasion resistance, anti-dusting, and in some cases to harden
softer concrete surfaces before grinding.
Lithium densifiers are the
most common choice used for garage floors. This is due to their ease of
application and less reactive properties to carbon dioxide which can create a
whitening effect on the floor. Unlike sodium densifiers, lithium densifiers
also do a good job at repelling road salts. Once applied, the concrete
retains its natural matte look.
When concrete cures, bleed
water makes its way to the surface increasing the water to cement ratio,
laitance content, and fine aggregates. This is what helps to make the
surface of concrete smooth, but it also creates a surface that is softer than
the underlying cement. When a densifier is introduced, the chemical
reaction increases the surface strength of concrete from an average of 20% to
40% depending on the original pour and finish of the concrete.
It does this in two
ways. The densifier is a water based chemical solution that first works
by penetrating into the surface of the concrete and reacting with calcium
hydroxide to produce calcium silicate hydrate (CSH). This is the
substance that gives concrete its strength. Next, the CSH that is
produced fills the open pores of the concrete increasing its density.
It’s important to note
that concrete densifiers are non-film forming, meaning that they don’t leave a
topical film on the surface to protect it from liquids and staining. This
is why they haven’t been used much as a finished product for garage floors –
until recently.
The addition of silicone
and siliconate agents in densifiers creates a waterproofing agent right at the
surface of the concrete. This allows the concrete densifier to act as a
sealer for your garage floor by repelling water, oils, chemicals such as road
salts, and other fluids. They can also be used over stained concrete.
Are they 100% impervious
to stains and chemicals? No, but if you don’t allow spills to sit for a
long period, they will generally wipe right up with little if any scrubbing
necessary. Be particularly careful with solvents that can stain, as their
resistance to them is minimal.
