What's better for concrete? Water-Based Sealants Vs. Solvent-Based Sealants

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What's better for concrete? Water-Based Sealants Vs. Solvent-Based Sealants

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If you thought that pouring concrete was a one-and-done procedure, you’re missing out on the major benefits of concrete sealing. Although concrete is made from materials that are strongly bonded together, it’s still quite porous. This means that dirt, grime, oil, acids, mold, and mildew can easily absorb into your concrete surface and cause damage.

A deep clean with our sealing services can completely rejuvenate your concrete surface, making it look new in a matter of hours and maintain longevity for years to come. Even if your concrete was sealed after it was poured, it needs to be resealed every now and then to retain its appeal. All in all, sealing can be done with two different methods: water-based and solvent-based sealants.

What’s the Difference?

If you require concrete sealing on the Gold Coast, you may be wondering what method of sealing you should choose. If you’re unsure where to start, the main difference between the two can be found in their names. Water-based sealants use water to apply the protective compounds and get them to absorb deep into the concrete. Over time, the water evaporates, leaving the protective clear coat behind.

Solvent-based sealants interact in a similar fashion. As the solvent dissolves, it forms a more unified solution with the protective compounds. Once absorbed into the concrete, the solvent also evaporates to leave the protective coating behind, but instead of just evaporating water, solvents include the added intrusion of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds).

VOCs are gasses and chemicals emitted from certain solids or liquids, solvents being one of them. Many people are wary of VOCs when it comes to indoor settings because they can be highly toxic, but toxicity is less of a concern for outdoor applications. Nonetheless, solvent-based sealants are not as environmentally friendly, as they may contribute to greenhouse gasses and encourage single-use throwaway equipment.

Benefits of Solvent-Based Sealants

A solvent-based sealant still has its perks, though. Many people who want the glossiest look possible opt for solvent-based concrete sealing. This style looks great on the bright streets of the Gold Coast, as it darkens the natural elements within the concrete and often makes it look freshly wet.

Solvent-based sealants will last up to 2-5 years, and are more high-maintenance because any prior coating needs to be stripped off before applying a new one. This sealing technique also tends to stick to the surface of the concrete, leaving it susceptible to peeling, blistering, or delaminating over time.

Benefits of Water-Based Sealants

Water-based sealants have rapidly increased in popularity in recent years despite a bad reputation due to not working as well as solvents. Thankfully, water-based methods have become more sophisticated, and in some cases, even better than its solvent-based competitor. Thanks to water’s natural ability to absorb deeply into porous surfaces, water-based sealants can give up to 25 years of protection. And within that time, additional coats can be added without stripping previous ones, making it easy to freshen up the look of your concrete.

Since water-based sealants use a thin nanofilm, you won’t find your sealant peeling or blistering. But as you might guess, water-based sealants also are non-toxic, easy to clean up, and completely safe for the environment and people. Concrete coated with water-based sealants also maintains breathability, though, so you may find that moisture is still able to seep through.

Get Wet Cleaning Services is proudly located on the Gold Coast and only uses the most innovative products and tools for concrete sealant applications. All of our sealants are low VOC or water-based, keeping every application as eco-conscious, green, and reef-friendly as possible.

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