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Sealing a new slab ... worth it?

RenoHuskerDu

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
359
Location
Texas
We just poured a new slab to work on trucks, tractors, and park. It's under a metal roof but open sides, sloped down about 2% so water will drain. The finish is broom, with the lines heading downhill.

Has anybody tried using cement sealer on work slabs and how is it working? I tried cement paint once and that was a disaster in terms of wearing off quickly. All those claims on the product can were just empty marketing, imho.

A quick web search shows a lot of products out there to seal concrete slabs. Here's an example
https://tinyurl.com/tanhl4m
 

NepeanGC

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2017
Messages
203
Location
Ottawa, Ontario
Occupation
#dirtherder
We seal new concrete all the time - to help keep moisture in for curing.
We've used epoxy and poly aspartic coatings on slabs with great success as well, but if you've got moisture driving up through the slab, nothing will stick. If there isn't a vapour barrier under the slab, I'm not sure I'd bother coating it. IMHO
 

Tinkerer

Senior Member
Joined
May 21, 2009
Messages
9,342
Location
The shore of the illinois river USA
X 2 on what NepeanGC said.
No vapor barrier under the slab -- nothing that you coat the slab with will last very long.
With the vapor barrier in place it takes long time for the slab to dry enough to put a coating over it.
Another situation is basement floors. No barrier and the humidity in the house will always be abnormally high without a dehumidifier.
 

Delmer

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2013
Messages
8,863
Location
WI
That siloxane type is a penetrating sealer. I wouldn't hesitate to use something like that. It won't peel off like an epoxy or other film on the surface. I don't know what it would do with a broom finish? usually see that kind of stuff on smooth troweled concrete.

Definitely seal the fresh concrete if you're not keeping it wet some other way, flooding, sand, cellulose slop, all are better than sealing.
 

RenoHuskerDu

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
359
Location
Texas
No vapor barrier, just built it high and on base that drains well. We kept it wet for a week. The slab is well above water table, see pic. Besides, this is Central Texas, so ground humidity is only occasional.

So are y'all in agreement that the Siloxane type would penetrate and help? We have some 7.3s and IDIs in the family and they all drip a little. I'd like to be able to wash off oil stains more easily, and of course protect the slab.

IMG_20200229_193853[1].jpg
 

crane operator

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2009
Messages
8,273
Location
sw missouri
I don't think a sealer is going to do much good, with the broom finish its going to be really hard to clean up. Why didn't you just trowel it smooth? (of course its too late now;), but with a smooth finish- a little oil dri will clean up most issues)
 

RenoHuskerDu

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
359
Location
Texas
I didn't want it too smooth because it's an outdoor slab to work on in any weather. We do get several months of cold and rain here. Ices a couple times a year.
 

old-iron-habit

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2012
Messages
4,233
Location
Moose Lake, MN
Occupation
Retired Cons't. Supt./Hospitals
There are many new products out there since I retired. Stop down at your local contractors supply house and ask them for recommendations based on your planned use and particulars. Get a couple recommendations and research the products and application procedures on line.

EDIT: After cleaning up oil on concrete with oil dry I sprinkle a bit of dry pure cement powder on it and sweep back and forth over the stain. Usually looks like new a couple days later when it is swept up. A bag of cement goes a long way as long as it is kept dry.
 
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