Does your new "sealed" cement bathroom floor do this when exposed to w

11 years ago

A large Monterey Concrete company insists that the obvious saturation of the "Glaze & Seal" sealant on the shower area floor is "normal". This discoloration occurs after only 30 seconds of water exposure to this new floor. The floor took at least 12 hours to dry after this demonstration. Thoughts? The second two photos show what happens moments after one single drop of water touches the bathroom floor that has been sealed and then glossed with "Mirror Brite". The water droplet becomes cloudy and softens the top coat allowing the product to readily peel off with light friction. Is this acceptable in your bathroom? Please note that I have ten year old concrete floors in my kitchen and half bath that are essentially bulletproof. The SAME concrete company installed these floors. I cannot accept the explanation that the cement is "breathing". We are now in week #16 of this master bathroom remodel and the floor has had >6 weeks to cure. Recommendations?

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Comments (4)

Jennifer Commander
Original Author
11 years ago
Complete the sentence: Exposed to plain water?
PRO
Cancork Floor Inc.
11 years ago
I would get the full name of the sealant, the date the concete was poured and the date the sealant was applied. I would then start calling around to other concrete finishes to find out their opinions. I would bet the old finish (on your 10 year old kitchen floor) is no longer available (CARB II regulations or discontinuation/bankruptcy ) which is why you are seeing a massive difference in durability.

I've heard of people having issues with DIY concrete sealants because they are not "strong enough". I know that professional grade epoxy should NOT do this.

As an aside: Mirror Brite = polish for PLASTIC...why is it on a concrete floor? Are you saying you have 2 products on your concrete? The "Glaze and Seal" and the Mirror Brite? Are these two even allowed to be together? Personally this looks like there is a chemical incompatibility between 3 things: Concrete seal + Mirror Brite + water. Somewhere along the line there is a problem.

I've never heard of a conrete sealer doing "well" with a polishing product for plastic. These two sets of chemicals rarely see eye to eye. But I would get another opinion on this...'cause I'm a wood floor finishing type of gal = concrete is a bit of a myster to me. If I saw this reaction on a wood floor I would say that someone put down a chemical that does NOT work with another chemical.
Jennifer Commander thanked Cancork Floor Inc.
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Nancy Travisinteriors
11 years ago
It's not right after all this time. Sounds like they should be restrained and sealed.
Jennifer Commander thanked Nancy Travisinteriors
Jennifer Commander
Original Author
11 years ago
Interesting. It was the professional concrete company (MMSC) who sealed and polished the floor, not a DIY. :( As you recommended, we brought in a second concrete company (DDC). They recommended an epoxy surface as well. We are waiting for a bid from them, but also need to fight with MMSC over $$.

Yes, there are two products on the concrete: "Glaze 'n Seal multi-purpose water base sealer for concrete, tile & masonry including brick, slate, quarry, pavers & stamped concrete". The second product is "Mirror Brite Hi-Solid Acrylic Floor Finish from American Floor Care Systems". Incompatible? Probably.

The bottom line is that you seem to be confirming my thoughts that the products are incompatible and inappropriate for this application. Also, these reactions are not typical or normal results on a concrete floor. Thank you for your insight.