Question:
I am looking for a good concrete sealer to apply around my 10-year-old in-ground pool. It was previously sealed with one coat of a penetrating sealer I bought from Lowe's about four to five years ago. What is a good concrete sealer to use around a pool?

Answers:

— Tim McCall of Genesis Landscape Inc., Pleasant Hill, Calif.
“If it was a penetrating sealer only, then you should be fine using just about anything,” says McCall, who recommends using White Mountain Wet Look Lacquer acrylic with a solvent base. He says to put a minimum of two thin coats down.

He stresses that the preparation to put the sealer down is critical, and if you are not sure about the process, you should gain more knowledge about it before attempting to seal.

Also, “If you are going to seal a pool deck, you need to add an anti-skid or it’s going to be way too slippery,” McCall says. He recommends either SharkGrip Slip-Resistant Additive from Sherwin-Williams, or granule sand. You can add in the SharkGrip before you seal; just be sure to mix well and continue to shake the can when spraying or it will settle in the can and spit out, leaving white spots.
- www.genesislandscape.net

— Doug Carlton of Carlton Concrete Inc. in Visalia, Calif.
“Most-likely it’s a water-based product that was used,” Carlton says. “Probably the safest route is to go into your local hardware store and pick up the Jasco Wet-Look Cure-Seal water-based sealer.” Because it is around a pool, Carlton says to add a non-skid additive into the sealer as it is applied. “It’s not seen, but it is definitely felt.”

Carlton suggests testing a small area and letting it sit for up to a week to see if you are satisfied with the result. If so, apply two light coats over the top of the concrete. Maintaining it every couple of years will protect the surface of the concrete.
- www.carltonconcrete.com

— Brett LaFevers of Cohills Building Specialties Inc., Arizona
“More than likely it was a water-based sealer. Depending on what you want to do, you have a couple of options.” LaFevers suggests either a water-based sealer again or a solvent-based sealer to protect the concrete. If you don’t want to change the look of the concrete, he said the water-based sealer goes on milky-white and then dries clear. “If it is decorative concrete and you like the way it looks when it’s wet, use a solvent-based sealer,” LaFevers says. But he cautions that in areas with high temperatures, such as Arizona, solvent-based isn’t such a good idea because it darkens the concrete and holds in more heat. He also suggests non-skid additives for the sealer for a slip-resistant area around the pool.
- mcohill@cohills.com
- www.cohills.com

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