Concrete is an incredibly versatile material. It's durable and there are so many different ways that you can incorporate it into your home. It’s often used for driveways, flooring, benchtops, walls and more. 

When using concrete for your home, a crucial step in ensuring its longevity is sealing it. 

Read on for more information about concrete sealing, including:

• Why concrete sealing is important
• Who can seal concrete?
• Types of concrete sealer
• How much does concrete sealing cost?
• How to hire a concrete sealer
• What qualifications does my concrete sealer need?
• Getting quotes for concrete sealing

Why is concrete sealing important?

There are many benefits to concrete sealing that make it worth the effort. Including longevity, protection against cracking and staining as well as aesthetics and value. 

Concrete is a porous material which means that it soaks up moisture. If moisture is allowed to build up inside it, the concrete can degrade and weaken much quicker than it would normally. Sealing it from this kind of damage can add years to its lifespan. 

Sealing concrete can also protect it from staining. This can be particularly important in driveways and garages as they can be easily exposed to these materials. It can also protect the concrete from the effects of freeze-thaw damage, which can crack and break your concrete through constant expansion and contraction. 

Sealed concrete has a smoother and better finish than unsealed concrete. This can add visual appeal, important for spaces like kitchen flooring or patios, and increase the value of your property. 

Some concrete sealers can create a decorative effect on the concrete and they can even improve the slip resistance of the concrete, making it safer. All concrete products can be sealed – flooring, paving, pools, benchtops, walls and so on.

For best results, having your concrete sealed every 3-5 years is advised. If your concrete is exposed to harsh conditions like extreme weather or usage, then it’s a good idea to have it resealed more regularly. 

Who can seal concrete?

There are a handful of specialists who you can use to seal your concrete. It is best to have your concrete sealed by a professional such as a concreter, a floor coating specialist, a concrete cleaner, a handyman and so on. They will ensure that the sealer is applied evenly and that the concrete is properly protected. 

You can have the concrete sealed at the time of laying or you can seal or reseal existing concrete. Ensure that your professional is experienced with and adequately qualified to work with concrete sealers. They should be willing to give you an obligation-free quote before any work begins.

Types of concrete sealer

There are three main types of concrete sealers used. Each has its benefits for concrete sealing. They include: 

Acrylic Sealers: Acrylic sealers are the most affordable sealers and can be used for both indoor and outdoor concrete. 

Epoxy sealers: Epoxy sealers are the best for indoor concrete sealing but its high quality comes with a higher price 

Polyurethane sealers: Polyurethane sealers are a great choice for areas of fluctuating temperatures. They can be ideal to protect outdoor concrete that may be exposed to a wide range of temperatures throughout the year. 

How much does concrete sealing cost?

The cost of concrete sealing will depend largely on the material used to seal the concrete and the size of the area being sealed. There will often be extra costs associated if you need your concrete cleaned or ground first. 

Different states also often have different pricing for concrete sealing but on average expect to pay somewhere in the range of $25-$75 per square metre. Some examples of differing costs per state include:

• $30-50 in South Australia
• $30-60 in Victoria
• $20-40 in the ACT

For small jobs, many concrete sealers will charge a flat fee. This can be around $150-300. 

What qualifications does my concrete sealer need?

A concreter only needs to have a license if the job they are working on is larger than $5,000. Though they may not necessarily require a license or qualifications, most concreters will have completed either a Cert III in Concreting or an apprenticeship. Most will have completed both. 

 It’s always worth checking what qualifications your concrete sealer has completed to ensure you get someone who can complete your job safely and properly. 

How to hire a concrete sealer

Hiring the right concrete sealer can make the whole process go smoothly and it’s a good idea to ask them a couple of questions to make sure you get the right person for the job. Some of these questions include:

• How much experience do you have with concrete sealing?
• Are you licensed?
• What are your qualifications?
• Are you insured to work in my home?
• Can you provide a written quote?
• Do you have references I can follow up on?

Getting quotes for concrete sealing

At hipages, we always recommend getting at least three quotes before hiring a tradie. The cheapest option may not always be the best one and you may find that there are additional costs down the line that can add up. 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions about anything you’re unsure about. You can always ask about the quotes and get an itemised list of what you are paying for. One way to do this is to request a written quote. This will make it easier to compare the quotes you receive and choose the right sealer for you.