Author: Gen WrightMost homeowners use stains for decorative purposes. But you can also use these special products for protective purposes. After applying the colors on the flooring, let them dry for a few hours (assuming you use quick drying products) and then apply sealer. The sealer will help protect the surface and give the outer appearance a polished look.
But what happens when you fail to protect the materials properly? Let's look at concrete and wood, one at a time.
Concrete itself is a very tough and durable material. Under most circumstances, it can last for many years with little or no maintenance. But problems arise when tiny hair line cracks start to appear on the surface. These cracks can be caused by temperature changes or wear and tear (due to old age).
When such tiny cracks appear, they often go unnoticed. Dirt, grime and other contaminants will then enter the flooring through these cracks. In time to come, the cracks will start to widen, causing damage to the interiors of the flooring. Sometimes, even air can help accelerate the damage. Air or moisture can expand within the cracks and damage the concrete. The only way to prevent this from happening is to fix the cracks as early as possible. When you apply stains and then sealer on the flooring, you are actually repairing the cracks, whether you know it or not. The sealer adds an additional protective layer on the concrete, thus prolonging its life span.
Wood flooring is even more prone to damage. Most woods tend to rot after a period of time. When the materials age, the layer of lacquer on top, which also acts as a protective covering, erodes away. This leaves the wood exposed to external elements. Plants, dirt, and grime may start to accumulate on the flooring. Over time, the surface loses its shine. It's a clear sign to the homeowner that something must be done to renew the appearance and the protective layering.
The problem is, many homeowners tend to put off applying stains and sealer because the process can be time consuming and cumbersome. If the house is a big one, the process could take days! Imagine having to move the furniture from one room to another, just to work on the flooring. For each room, the wait could take up to 24 hours. So how long will the entire process take if there are many rooms in the house?
The key to this problem, is to use stains that are fast drying. Modern concrete and wood stains like Beer stains dry in a matter of hours. Once the colors dry, you can quickly apply sealer using a special spraying tool. After that, your job is done, and you can move on to the next room. You need to go through this only once, and your flooring will get a completely new look. And this new look can last for many years to come, as it is well protected by the sealer.
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