Concrete, by nature, is extremely porous filled with endless pores and capillary voids. Think of a sponge, when dry it is hard and dense but when it comes into contact with water it fills up and becomes weak and wet. In order to prevent concrete from seeping up endless amounts of water a waterproofing concrete sealer should always be applied. Concrete basements, concrete driveways and concrete foundations should always be treated with a waterproofing sealers since they are most susceptible to damage.
If a basement is composed of concrete blocks or concrete cinderblocks it is best to use a Silane/Siloxane based sealer. The mixture of the two types of sealers and the larger size molecule will provide excellent water repellency to the overly porous blocks. Concrete blocks are the most porous concrete structures since the pores and voids are large and the thickness of the concrete is not extremely deep. It is essential that a concrete block basement is sealed as soon as possible to prevent water damage from the close proximity of the water table.
If it is a poured concrete foundation or a concrete driveway it is best to use a penetrating densifier and waterproofing blended sealer. The combination of the smaller molecule with its densification properties and the larger molecule with its waterproofing properties is the ultimate solution for preventing the penetration of water.
Our Take: Excellent silane/siloxane concrete blocks and cinderblock sealers include Okon S-40 and Siloxa-Tek 8500 and penetrating densifiers and waterproofers include Lithi-Tek LS 9500 and Euclid’s Diamond Hard
What makes a decorative concrete sealer standout amongst a crowded industry and multitude of products? Decorative concrete sealers for the sake of this article are acrylic top coats that will protect, enhance and beautify concrete. Acrylic concrete sealers have been the decorative choice for many years and can leave anywhere from a glossy finish to a satin shine finish. They come in solvent based varieties that are applied by nap roller or they come in water based versions that are applied by sprayer.
Decorative concrete sealers are ideal for patio pavers, pool decks, stamped concrete and driveways. Solvent based varieties usually leave a glossy finish which can cause concrete to become slippery when wet. Certain brands sell a non-slip additive that can be added to their sealers if a high gloss finish is desired with less risk of slippage. One of the most popular decorative sealers is a water based acrylic. They comply with VOC regulations so they can be used in all 50 states. They do not leave a slippery finish, they enhance the concrete while repelling water and they protect from the suns harmful UV rays.
Our Take: Choose a water based acrylic over a solvent based acrylic. Reputable acrylics we have found are Everclear VOX, Cryli-Tek 5500 and SC-42 WB
Concrete is extremely porous by nature filled with small capillary pores and voids that are extremely susceptible to damage from cracking, spalling, water, moisture, mold, efflorescence, and hydrostatic pressure to name a few. In order to prevent all of these disastrous situations there are a few methods of prevention. A concrete densifier is the most effective solution to help prevent concrete from degradation and deterioration. A densifier is usually silicate based in either a sodium, potassium or lithium carrier. Out of the three, the lithium seems to be the most effective since it is a newer technology with less risk of concrete whiting and hazing.
Concrete densifiers are penetrating formulas that seep into the concrete, reacting chemically to form additional calcium silicate hydrate thus strengthening and hardening a concrete slab. The slab is then protected from cracking and spalling. Some densifiers claim to waterproof but these are false claims unless the silicate densifier is combined with a waterproofing siliconate molecule. They are known as silicate siliconate blends that are excellent densifiers and waterproofers. Densifiers are also ideal for polishing, grinding and burnishing concrete. They are usually applied before and after polishing concrete adding extra protection and strength.
Our Take: State of the art densifiers are LiON Hard, Lithi-Tek 4500, and Liqui-Hard
Basements are known for water, moisture, mold and mildew problems. Since basement foundations are underground they are usually in close proximity to the water table. This creates a problem since water tends to mitigate towards the walls of the basement; especially during rainy seasons and during springs inevitable snow melting. There are many companies out there that offer basement waterproofing solutions but only a handful that truly live up to their claims. Over the years we have found the best way to prevent basement moisture and water damage is early prevention. By sealing a homes foundation when it is first poured is the best kept secrete when it comes to basement waterproofing.
When looking for a sealer look for a penetrating, waterproofing sealer. Acrylics, epoxies and urethanes will all peel up and will not adhere at the first sign of water. Silicates alone are marketed as waterproofers but do not effectively complete the job. Silicates are known densifiers; however if the sealer is a silicate/siliconate blend you are in luck since the smaller silicate molecule will densify and the larger siliconate molecule will chemically react and waterproof your basement. Silane/Siloxane sealers are excellent choices for basement concrete block and/or cinderblock walls. They are really the only effective solutions for waterproofing basement concrete block and cinderblock walls. And whatever you do, despite their claims, do not use DryLok to waterproof your basement. You will have numerous and countless adhesion problems since DryLok is latex based.
Our Take: Some excellent products on the market include Okon’s S-40, Diamond Hard and Lithi-Tek LS 9500
While concrete is exceptionally strong, one of the biggest potential threats to undermining that threat can be found in the form of moisture. Somewhat paradoxically, moisture is actually an integral part of concrete from its very beginnings. Concrete is created by mixing together Portland cement, some sort of aggregate, and water. Without water, the concrete would not adhere and bond together so strongly. Furthermore, during the curing process after the concrete is poured, the moisture levels of the concrete have to be kept stable, which often requires a sprinkler to douse the concrete with water constantly.
If concrete requires a certain amount of moisture, why do all of these concrete sealing products claim to prevent the passage of moisture through your concrete? Well, what these products really mean is that they will prevent the passage and entrance of excess moisture through and into your concrete. A certain level of moisture and moisture passage is healthy for a concrete slab – without it, the concrete will likely crack and crumble from excessive dryness. Therefore, a certain level of moisture needs to be in the concrete for it to reach its maximum potential.
This is where the concept of relative humidity comes in. All concrete needs to be kept at a certain stable reading of relative humidity for its strength to be achieved. Relative humidity is simply a measure of the amount of moisture in the slab. Testing for relative humidity is an easy process that involves using special relative humidity probes that you can insert into the concrete. Once within the concrete via a small hole, the probe will measure and record the percentage of moisture (the relative humidity) in your concrete. If the moisture is acceptable, then there are no problems. However, if the level of moisture is too high, you’ll need to take the appropriate steps to lock out that moisture in the future.