Densifiers are great – they chemically react with the concrete to form CSH within the pores leaving concrete with an increased resistance to water, and a hardened surface. Densifiers are not however appropriate on all applications and should only be used under a few circumstances.

When to Use a Densifier

You want to use a sodium silicate Densifier when:

1. The concrete is old and weak, and needs an increased surface strength.
2. You have active water moving through the pores of the concrete.
3. You want an inexpensive solution to polishing concrete floors or countertops.

You want to use a lithium silicate Densifier when:

1. You want a fast-acting solution to polishing concrete floors or countertops.

Learn more about concrete Densifiers.

When Not to Use a Densifier

You do not want to use a sodium or lithium silicate Densifier if:

1. You are using it to seal your concrete. Densifiers should only be used to strengthen concrete as they do not offer any water repellency or surface protection benefits. A better sealer would be a silane siloxane water repellent.
2. You are applying a concrete coating. Densifiers will densify the concrete, therefore reducing the pores size on the surface. Coatings need to penetrate and bond to the surface pores and if a Densifier is used, the coating may not bond as well to the concrete. If you use a Densifier before the use of a coating, make sure the concrete is properly re-prepped before applying the coating.