Concrete can take years to fully settle, but interior concrete floors are mostly settled after a year. Shifting and settling can occur throughout your home’s life, but most major settling happens the first few years after the concrete is poured. It’s not uncommon for minor cracks to appear in concrete floors over time—check with a concrete pro to ensure new cracks don’t indicate a structural issue in your home.
Always seal concrete stain to protect against wear and preserve the color. This applies to acid- and water-based stains but not always to concrete paint. Many paints designed for outdoor use contain ingredients designed to protect and waterproof without the need for additional sealant. Fortunately, learning how to seal concrete is something most DIY-savvy homeowners can tackle.
No, you cannot permanently seal concrete. The porous nature of concrete means that it’s always vulnerable to water intrusion and staining, even under the best sealants. Although some concrete sealing products can last for a long time, a genuinely permanent concrete seal remains elusive.
Epoxy coatings for garage floors offer a variety of finish and design options, including:
Decorative colored flakes: $10 per 250-pound bag
Metallic epoxy: $5–$12 per square foot
Rock or stone epoxy: $100 per gallon
Acrylic and poly-acrylic sealants: $0.85–$1.15 per square foot
Polyurethane sealant: $0.95–$1.10 per square foot
Polyurea sealant: $150 per gallon
Yes, you can seal an old concrete floor as long as you remove stains and repair damage before sealing. Remove everything from the garage and clear the floor throughout with a concrete cleaner and power washing. Fill in cracks larger than 1/8 of an inch wide and remove all grease and rust stains before sealing. Make sure your concrete is fully dried before applying sealer.
The Carlin, NV homeowners’ guide to epoxy flooring services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
This guide breaks down the cost of installing epoxy flooring in your garage, basement, or other space. Costs depend on resin type, floor size, and more.
Faced with the shiny dilemma of polished concrete floors vs epoxy, you’ll need the details of cost, aesthetics, and durability to weigh and measure the winner.