The floors in a basement are made of concrete. Of course, water and water vapor can get into a basement straight through the floor and cause mold, mildew and a musty odor to develop. Also, a wet or damp floor will cause any paint to blister and peal. Any rug placed on the floor will obtain moisture and be damaged. A concrete basement floor can be sealed against water, water vapor and gas transmission.
Sodium Silicate Vapor Impermeable Concrete Sealers
It is best to use a sodium silicate penetrating sealer because it is vapor impermeable on an interior concrete floor. These are great than a covering film sealer because the covering film sealers still let water and water vapor into the concrete. The covering sealers trap the water under them and finally the pressure exerted on to the covering film causes it to blister and fail.
The sodium silicate penetrating sealer works by soaking into the concrete up to 4 inches. Once inside the concrete, it reacts with the simply occurring free lime of the concrete. A crystaline buildings is formed from this reaction. This seals the small pores of the concrete floor. After curing the concrete will be hardened and densified. Water and water vapor will remain on the covering quantum of concrete, away from the living space.
Gas and Vapor Transmission
Because the small pores of the concrete are filled, gas and vapors cannot tour straight through the concrete. They are blocked from migrating from the surrounding soil and into the basement living area.
Stops Efflorescence
The chalky white substance that is sometimes seen on a basement floor is called efflorescence. This is simply the solid salts leaching out or the concrete and being deposited after the water has evaporated. While it is natural for this to happen, this efflorescence will be stopped after using the penetrating concrete sealer.
Penetrating Sodium Silicate Vapor Impermeable Concrete Sealer Advantages
- Stops water vapor transmission
- Prevents water seepag
- Reduces gas and vapor migration
- Paintable surface
- Appearance remains the same
- Hardens the concrete
Easy Application
Application of concrete sealers can be done with a brush or roller. However, most population use a pump up orchad spray with a flat fan pattern spray tip. This gives the most even coating of materials. Of course, the basement floor should be clean, dry and free of grease prior to application.
How to Seal a Basement Concrete Floor