Everything You Need to Know Before Sealing a Concrete Floor

Trying to choose the best paints for painting floors can be complicated, as you need paints or stains that are both visually appealing and durable. However, painting concrete floors can pose additional challenges if you’re unfamiliar with the process. To help make painting and staining concrete easier, here are two things you should know.

Non-Toxic Concrete Sealers

If you currently have flooring that is over a year old, most VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) will have dissipated. However, unless you select a low VOC or zero VOC* option, you will end up being reexposed to these harmful chemicals when painting, staining or sealing a new floor.

VOCs, commonly found in conventional paints, stains, and sealers, are responsible for the well known ‘fresh paint’ smell. However, inhaling these fumes can be dangerous over time and in high concentrations. Irritation of the nose, throat, and eyes are common, along with difficulty breathing and nausea if exposure is extreme. Some types of VOCs can even be a contributing cause of cancer if an individual is exposed long enough. To mitigate these risks when sealing and staining a concrete floor, non-toxic concrete sealers and zero VOC concrete stains should be used.

The Benefits of Sealing

Using a non-toxic concrete sealer is important, not only for avoiding VOCs, but for prolonging the life of your concrete. Sealers are also available in many different colors, allowing to apply a new color to your floor while reaping the benefits of sealing. Regardless of the color and gloss type of non-toxic concrete sealer, the benefits of sealing can include:

• Extending the Life of Concrete
  Concrete floors can last for up to 30 years; however, without sealing cracks and discoloration can be a problem. By using a non-toxic concrete sealer you can prevent these issues and even extend the life of your concrete by an extra 25 to 30 years.
  
  

• Protection
  Unsealed concrete can be more susceptible to stains, fading, and general discoloration. Depending on where your floor is located, UV damage can also be a common issue. To prevent this, a sealer helps lock in color while preventing damage from outside sources. Additionally, sealing can also prevent moisture damage that can occur from freeze-thaw cycles.
  
  

• Improving Color
  Because sealing helps prevent discoloration, you can expect a cleaner and richer color that will last longer. Furthermore, if you select a sealer that adds additional color, you can also feel free to customize the look for your flooring further, without worrying about having to touch up the effect sooner than you’d like.
  
  

• Adding Value
  Using a non-toxic concrete sealer on your flooring can also help add additional value to your home. This is due to both the improvement in appearance and the benefit of not having to replace or retouch the concrete for years to come.

If you want to make the most out of your concrete floors and extend their lifespans, utilizing a non-toxic concrete sealer is one of the best options. A non-toxic sealer is both long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing, while also preventing you from being unnecessarily exposed to harmful VOCs. For more information on how non-toxic concrete sealers from ECOS Paints can protect and beautify your floors, call us at 866-587-3586 today!

*Conforms to CDPH 01350 (VOC emissions test taken at 11, 12, & 14 days for classroom and office use).