BEHR advertises their Premium Protector and Waterproofer product as a silicone waterproofer to penetrate and keep water out while shielding against corrosion and salt damage. However one of the types of concrete sealers we suggest staying away from is silicone based sealers. Claims that this product will penetrate are false since silicone based sealers are typically topical in nature they cannot penetrate the way a silicate does. One of the worst atttributes of a silicone sealer is their short life span. Lasting maybe a few months if you are lucky at the first signs of exposure to UV rays this product will start to deteriorate. Also surfaces become extremely slippery after using this product which cause more of a hassle than anything.
Our Take: No matter what BEHR claims it will not not waterproof concrete and masonry surfaces longterm. It may appear to hold up but at the first sign of water, since it is latex based, it will start to peel and flake off. You are better off using a penetrating solution to waterproof concrete since there is no risk of peeling and bubbling.
The longevity of concrete sealers is dependent on a number of factors. First being the type of concrete sealer, meaning its composition – acrylic, epoxy, urethane, silicate. On average acrylic sealers tend to need reapplication within a year or two of being applied. Since they are topical sealers adhering to the concrete they are prone to traffic which causes flaking, peeling and bubbling. There are some excellent acrylics out there, mainly water based acrylics, that will last up to 5 years before needing to be re-applied. Since water based versions do not leave a high gloss shine there is less risk of the aforementioned issues. Solvent based acrylics may peel, flake and decomposed quicker at signs of UV rays and traffic.
Epoxies and urethanes if applied to a clean surface with a good surface porosity (using an epoxy primer and urethane top coat) will adhere and last up to 10 years. Silicates on the other hand are penetrating densifiers which have no risk of peeling, flaking or bubbling. Through a chemical reaction they form a denser, harder, stronger slab which is why many companies offer lifetime warranties on these products. If your concrete is at no risk for water issues and you use a silicate densifier to seal the concrete you should not need to reapply or seal it.
Our Take: Look for companies like Kretetek and Stone Technologies, offering warranties on their products so you will be covered if their products do not live up to their claims.
DryLok has been around for many years with their traditional DryLok formula claiming waterproofing, yet never living up to the hype causing consumers extreme trouble. Finally after years of customer complaints and thousands of millions of dollars spent in repairs from inadequate performance, DryLok is out with a new patent pending formula. DryLok Clear Masonry Waterproofer. How does it perform and does it cause the same amount of headaches that DryLok the original latex based ‘waterproofer’ does?
Claiming to stop hydrostatic pressure and wind driven rain while leaving a high gloss finish this acrylic latex based formula is still not the solution for concrete waterproofing problems. You would have thought with all of the knowledge out there about latex and water they would have come up with a different composition for their new product.
Our Take: No matter what DryLok Clear claims it will not not waterproof concrete and masonry surfaces longterm. It may appear to hold up but at the first sign of water, since it is latex based, it will start to peel and flake off. You are better off using a penetrating solution to waterproof concrete since there is no risk of peeling and bubbling.
Cryli-Tek 5500 is a pricey acrylic sealer, but it is also the top choice of professional contractors and expert homeowners. Kretetek markets its Cryli-Tek 5500 as a one-coat sealer — which should theoretically save money by cutting the amount of sealer you need in half compared to other acrylic sealers on the market. After testing out Cryli-Tek 5500 for ourselves it does live up to its other major marketing claims: It dries in 3 hours with little odor and Cryli-Tek 5500 is a low-volatile organic compound (VOC) sealer, meaning it has low levels of the chemicals in sealers that are linked to respiratory and other health problems.
We love that it is water based and still leaves a slight matte sheen enhancing colored and stamped concrete. We also found Cryli-Tek 5500 breathable, non-yellowing, and highly scratch and peel proof. Remember when looking for a decorative sealer to look for a breathable one to avoid problems down the line. Above all, professional contractors and do-it-yourselfers love Cryli-Tek 5500’s beautiful finished matte look.
However, Cryli-Tek 5500 is pricier than other acrylic sealers in its class. But since it lasts two to three times longer than other acrylics, we found the price justifiable. Cryli-Tek 5500 is available at HomeDepot.com and independent retailers and online at concretesealersolutions.com.
So what exactly is a silicate and why does every concrete sealer company offer and sell silicates? Silicates have been around for many years and sodium silicates have been used in concrete applications for over 100 years. As far as a concrete application silicates are used primarily as densifiers to harden and strengthen concrete. They are best applied to floors before they are polished since they give concrete the kind of shine you find on a floor of a big box hardware store.
Sodium silicates are the oldest of the silicate family and their claim to fame is a chemical reaction that takes place when the silicate comes into contact with Portland cement through a process called hydration. Calcium Silicate Hydrate is produced creating a stronger, denser substrate also reducing the porosity of the concrete slab. Potassium and Lithium silicates are newer to the market place, essentially working the same chemical reaction with a potassium or lithium carrier instead of a sodium one. Lithium silicates are usually more expensive that sodium silicates because of the smaller size of the lithium ions.
Our Take: Silicates are sold pre-diluted and concentrated and it is really up to the end user to decide if they want to dilute the material themselves to save on shipping or if they want to buy a diluted version to save on the hassle. VSeal and Hydrablock are good diluted varieties while Sila-Tek 3500 is sold concentrated and will give you the most bang for your buck.