Sealing concrete floors is one of the most effective ways to protect surfaces from wear, moisture, and stains—especially in industrial and commercial settings. But if you're managing a business, facility, or workspace, you may wonder: How loud is the process of applying a concrete sealer? Will it disrupt day-to-day operations, customer flow, or productivity?
At CustomCrete, we guide Chicago-area businesses through every step of the flooring process, including planning around noise. In this blog, we’ll break down what to expect in terms of sound levels during the sealed concrete application process, what equipment contributes to the noise, and how to prepare your space if noise is a concern.
What is a Concrete Sealer?
A concrete sealer is a protective coating applied to a concrete surface to guard against water intrusion, chemicals, abrasion, and staining. Sealers can be used on plain concrete or as a topcoat for decorative or polished floors. Common types include:
- Acrylic sealers (fast-drying, often used for decorative concrete)
- Epoxy and urethane sealers (durable, chemical-resistant options)
- Penetrating sealers (ideal for outdoor and moisture-prone areas)
Each type may involve a slightly different application method—but noise levels generally come down to the preparation, not the sealing itself.
How Noisy Is the Sealing Process?
Here’s the good news: the sealing phase itself is relatively quiet. Most sealers are applied using rollers, brushes, or low-pressure sprayers, none of which generate significant noise.
In fact, in many indoor environments, the sound level during actual sealer application is similar to a conversation or the hum of an HVAC system—generally below 60 decibels.
However, there are a few steps in the overall process that can be louder.
What Parts of the Process Can Be Loud?
While applying a concrete sealer may be quiet, some parts of the overall installation process can create significant noise—especially during surface preparation.
1. Surface Preparation
This is the most noise-intensive part of sealing concrete. Before a sealer can be applied, the concrete must be clean, dry, and properly textured to ensure adhesion. Depending on the existing surface and the desired concrete sealer type, surface prep may involve:
- Grinding (using floor grinders with diamond abrasives)
- Shot blasting (propelling steel shot at the surface to roughen it)
- Scarifying (removing old coatings or smoothing uneven spots)
These machines can generate noise levels in the 85 to 100 decibel range—similar to heavy traffic or a construction site.
2. Vacuuming and Dust Control Equipment
Many grinders and shot blasters are connected to industrial vacuums to control dust. While these vacuums reduce mess, they do contribute to the overall noise. These systems typically range from 70 to 90 decibels.
How Long Does the Noise Last?
The loudest portion—the surface prep—usually lasts 1 to 2 days, depending on the size of the area and condition of the existing floor. Once preparation is complete, the sealing process is quiet and much less disruptive.
Curing time for concrete sealers ranges from 2 to 24 hours, depending on the type of product used. During this time, there is little to no sound.
How to Plan for Noise During Concrete Sealing
If you’re managing a commercial or public space, here are a few tips to minimize disruption:
- Notify staff, tenants, or customers in advance about temporary noise
- Create temporary partitions in larger areas to buffer sound
- Use signage to direct people away from the work zone
- Coordinate with your flooring contractor to discuss quiet hours or noise-sensitive periods
- Schedule after hours or on weekends when the building is empty
CustomCrete frequently works with schools, medical facilities, and retail stores where noise control is critical. We’re used to building flexible schedules around your operations.
Final Thoughts
If you’re considering a concrete sealer for your commercial or industrial space, the noise involved in the actual application process is minimal. The loudest parts—grinding or shot blasting—are typically brief and manageable with proper planning.
Understanding what to expect allows you to schedule intelligently and minimize downtime. At CustomCrete, we partner with clients across the Chicago area to install sealed concrete floors efficiently, safely, and with as little disruption as possible.
Interested in sealing your concrete floors? Visit our next article, “Best Floor Sealant for Concrete Floors”.
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