What Does Clear Concrete Sealer Do?

If you’ve ever seen Everybody Loves Raymond or even just seen snippets, you’ll probably remember the running gag about Ray’s parents never having removed the plastic from their couches, for fear of them getting stained.

They’d rather sit on a plastic sheet for the entirety of the couch’s life, rather than enjoy comfortable, soft material and risk it getting stained. Crazy, right?

Well, if we’re talking about couches, maybe. Concrete on the other hand, is something well worth protecting with a clear coat. And nope, you won’t have to keep an annoying sheet of plastic over it, either.

Here, Dulux Avista discusses the role of clear concrete sealer and why it’s such a valuable investment:

Having a cup of concrete?
We all know the saying ‘have a cup of concrete and harden up’. But concrete isn’t actually that tough; it's surprisingly vulnerable. Exposed concrete is susceptible to moisture, stains, cracking and gradual deterioration, leading to a quicker destruction when left untreated. That’s where a quality clear sealer acts as a protective coat (just like the plastic sheets on Ray’s parent’s couches ) against these potential threats.

Moisture protection
One of the worst things for external concrete is moisture which causes internal cracking, surface scaling and structural weakening. Clear sealers create a protective layer that repels water, preventing moisture from seeping in and extending the life of your concrete.

Stain protection
For driveways, oil and grease leaks from cars can quickly stain your exposed concrete. Just like it prevents moisture from seeping in, a clear sealer prevents staining from these fluids too. If your car starts leaking oil on clear-sealed concrete, it’s as easy as wiping it off with a rag.

UV resistance
Paired with moisture, sunlight is a destructive element which can gradually break down concrete surfaces. In Australia, we all know how punishing the sun can be, particularly in summer. Clear concrete sealers have UV-resistant properties that slow down surface degradation and colour fading.

Dust reduction
Because of its rougher surface, unsealed concrete is a magnet for dust. Dust gets stuck to it, making it difficult to clean. A clear sealer makes the concrete surface far smoother, allowing dust to pass off of it and making cleaning much easier.

Increased durability
On top of all of this, the main benefit of resistance against moisture, stains and UV is that your concrete will last a lot longer. By reducing surface porosity, clear sealers make concrete more resistant to wear, abrasion and general deterioration.

If you’ve got exterior concrete that needs clear coating, Dulux Avista has got what you need. As Australia’s leading brand in concrete resurfacing and refinishing products, Dulux Avista offers quality formulas that have been tested in the toughest conditions, guaranteeing a durable finish. Ideal for residential and light commercial applications, check out our range of flooring resurfacing products and get your project started today.