Find answers to common questions about DuraCore concrete protection products, application methods, and technical specifications.
Start by identifying what you want the concrete to do: become harder, resist moisture, repel stains, or improve appearance. Each DuraCore product is designed around one of these outcomes.
A densifier strengthens concrete internally, while a moisture control treatment reduces moisture movement within the slab.
Densifiers work inside the concrete to make it harder. Sealers work on the surface to protect appearance and improve cleanability.
Use a penetrating repeller when you want protection without altering the concrete's appearance or sheen.
A penetrating repeller is usually the best option for outdoor areas, especially driveways.
Choose a moisture control treatment - the correct one depends on timing and moisture conditions.
Moisture Proof treats existing or active moisture issues; Moisture Prevention is applied early to reduce future risk.
Yes, as long as the products serve different purposes and are applied in the correct order.
Yes - this is a common combination when you want both strength and repellency.
AquaSeal gives a low-sheen protective finish; Lustre Crete enhances colour and provides a richer decorative look.
Not always - only slabs that will receive flooring or have known moisture issues typically need treatment.
A densifier such as DensiCrete is the best choice for reducing dusting on concrete surfaces.
Yes - densifiers are safe for decorative, coloured, stamped or integrally coloured concrete.
A penetrating repeller provides the most effective protection against staining.
Yes - densifiers and certain sealers are commonly used in polished concrete systems.
Yes - densifiers and densifier/repeller combinations are ideal for high-wear environments.
Yes - all DuraCore penetrating products are low-VOC and suitable for indoor use.
The surface must be clean, unsealed, and free of anything that would stop the product from penetrating.
Yes - most DuraCore products work well on older concrete as long as it's clean, open, and absorbent.
Yes - most products can be applied to new concrete once the slab is hard enough for foot traffic and free water has evaporated.
Only if the surface is sealed, coated, contaminated, or too dense to absorb the product properly.
Most DuraCore products can be applied with simple sprayers, rollers, brooms, or microfibre pads.
The surface will stop looking wet and will no longer accept more material.
Most residue can be removed by rinsing, autoscrubbing, or buffing, depending on the product.
Yes - this is common in polished, decorative, or high-finish applications.
Partially - very tight, burnished surfaces absorb less product, reducing effectiveness.
Mild conditions with stable temperature and no rain forecast.
Avoid applying penetrating products if rain may hit the surface before they have absorbed.
Extremes of temperature can affect absorption, curing, and overall performance.
Rapid drying can reduce penetration and lead to uneven performance.
Before - yes. After - generally not recommended for a few days.
Most areas can be walked on within a few hours, depending on the product.
Yes, but only after full cure, especially for sealers.
Drying time depends on product type but is usually 1-4 hours.
Yes - most products can mark or react with glass, aluminium or painted surfaces if left on them.
Some products can etch or leave residue if left on sensitive surfaces.
No - penetrating products cannot absorb through paint or coatings.
Yes - old sealers prevent penetration and must be removed.
Most tools can be cleaned with water immediately after use.
Moisture vapour transmission is the movement of water vapour through concrete. All slabs release moisture, but high levels can cause flooring and coating failures.
You know by testing. Visual signs help, but moisture readings are the reliable method.
The most common cause is excessive moisture vapour moving through the slab.
Moisture Proof reduces moisture vapour movement but is not a substitute for a building-code-required membrane.
Yes - Moisture Proof is designed specifically to support most flooring systems.
Usually the next day, depending on drying conditions.
Use a recognised testing method such as RH probes, moisture metres or calcium chloride tests.
Yes - ambient humidity, temperature and rainfall significantly influence moisture movement.
They can help stabilise the slab for future work, but they cannot reverse damage already done.
No - moisture treatments support performance but do not replace code-required membranes.
No - they are penetrating treatments and do not form a film or alter appearance.
Yes - but they only address vapour movement, not liquid water pressure.
Yes, but they are typically designed for indoor flooring preparation.
Not directly. Densifiers improve hardness but do not reliably control moisture vapour transmission.
Curing keeps moisture in new concrete; drying removes excess moisture; sealing protects the surface.
Because concrete contains large amounts of water for hydration and continues to release it as it dries.
A densifier is a penetrating treatment that reacts inside concrete to make it harder, stronger and more resistant to dusting and wear.
Yes - densifiers are an essential step in most polished concrete systems.
Yes - densifiers are one of the most effective ways to reduce dusting on concrete.
Densifiers react with calcium hydroxide in the concrete to create more C-S-H, which fills microscopic voids and strengthens the slab.
Not by themselves. Densifiers increase hardness but do not create shine - polishing equipment does.
No - densifiers reduce porosity but do not create water repellency.
Yes - densifiers harden the surface, which reduces scratching and abrasion.
The slab hardens gradually over several days, but initial benefits appear within hours.
Yes - densifiers are fully compatible with integrally coloured or decorative concrete.
Usually yes, but highly porous or weak surfaces may benefit from a second application.
Yes - overapplication can leave residue or white deposits on the surface.
Repellers protect concrete from water-based and oil-based stains, including food, grease, dirt, and everyday contaminants.
No - penetrating repellers do not alter the colour or gloss of the concrete.
Repellers typically last several years, depending on exposure and traffic.
Generally no - repellers make the surface hydrophobic, which prevents sealers from bonding properly.
No - repellers do not change the texture of the surface, so slip resistance remains the same.
Possibly - repellers slow absorption and make cleanup easier, but they do not make concrete completely stain-proof.
Repellers usually reach basic effectiveness within a few hours and full performance within 24-48 hours.
Yes - like all repellency treatments, they lose effectiveness over time.
AquaSeal provides a low-sheen protective finish; Lustre Crete enhances colour and adds a more decorative appearance.
AquaSeal can be used outdoors; Lustre Crete is better suited for internal or semi-protected areas.
Only if the coating is compatible - many sealers require a fully stripped surface for proper adhesion.
Some sealers add sheen, but most DuraCore film-forming products are designed for low or moderate gloss.
Most sealers require two thin coats for even coverage and best appearance.
AquaSeal is UV stable, but Lustre Crete may show slight changes if used in high UV areas.
Typically 1-3 years depending on traffic, exposure and cleaning habits.
They help reduce tyre marking but cannot eliminate it completely, especially in hot conditions.
Most DuraCore products do not change the appearance of concrete. Only the sealers (AquaSeal and Lustre Crete) are designed to enhance the visual finish.
Yes - sealers can subtly or noticeably enhance colour depending on the product.
No - densifiers and moisture treatments are invisible once dry.
Yes - repellers and sealers work well on exposed aggregate, depending on the desired finish.
Penetrating treatments are invisible. Only sealers leave a visible film.
Use a penetrating repeller - it protects the surface without altering appearance.
Densifiers and moisture treatments can help reduce efflorescence by limiting moisture movement, but they cannot eliminate external sources of salts.
Penetrating treatments last for the life of the slab. Surface sealers require periodic reapplication.
Not usually - densifiers are considered permanent.
Penetrating treatments handle extreme temperatures well; film-forming sealers may require more maintenance.
Yes - densifiers, repellers and moisture treatments all support long-term durability.
No - cracking is structural and cannot be prevented by surface or penetrating treatments.
Yes - DuraCore's penetrating treatments are all low-VOC and suitable for use in enclosed or occupied environments.
Yes - all DuraCore treatments are designed for safe indoor use when applied according to instructions.
Only basic protective gear is recommended for most applications.
Yes - once cured, surfaces treated with DuraCore products are inert and safe.
Let small amounts dry before disposal and follow local guidelines for any larger quantities.
DuraCore products are available exclusively through approved stockists and trade resellers.
Not always - product availability varies by retailer.
No - DuraCore is a manufacturer, not a retailer.
Sometimes - it depends on the stockist.
Submit an enquiry through the Stockist Application form on our website.
It depends on the stockist.
Yes - DuraCore products are widely used in commercial, residential and industrial specifications.
No - penetrating products do not change slip resistance.
Some can replace curing compounds, while others require compatibility checks.
Yes - every DuraCore product has a current TDS and SDS.
Yes - densifiers and moisture treatments are compatible with most adhesives.
Yes - many DuraCore products align well with the requirements of sustainable construction programs.
Yes - densifiers improve polishability but do not replace grinding stages.
Our technical team is here to help with product selection and application advice.
Contact Technical Support