Water Repellent & Sealant

WATER REPELLENTS FOR CONCRETE MASONRY WALLS

​ Water repellents are used on exterior walls to provide resistance to wind-driven rain. In addition, water repellents can also reduce the potential for efflorescence and staining from environmental pollutants, and enhance the color or texture of a wall. These are also called Concrete Sealants - Concrete sealers and sealants are applied to concrete to act as a protective layer while safeguarding the material below. Despite its inherent strength and durability, concrete is a porous material with an absorptive surface, making it susceptible to the intrusion of water, chlorides, oils, and other chemical substances.

TYPES OF WATER REPELLENTS

The water repellent admixture is incorporated into the concrete mix at the block plant. For mortar, the water repellent is added to the mix on the Jobsite.

SURFACE TREATMENT REPELLENTS

Cementitious coatings, Paints, Cement-Based Paints, Clear Surface Treatment Repellents, etc.

Clear Surface Treatment Repellents :

Clear surface treatment repellents are used to add water resistance to a wall without altering its appearance. These are of two types -

Film Forming

Penetrant Repellents

Penetrant repellents

Penetrant repellents are also called Penetrating Sealants. Penetrating repellents are absorbed into the face of the masonry, lining the pores. They adhere by forming a chemical bond with the masonry. They penetrate and react chemically within the capillaries of the concrete to shield against moisture penetration and deicing chemicals. It provides excellent protection against outdoor exposure conditions since they provide excellent protection against harsh exposure conditions. It provides invisible protection without changing the surface appearance or leaving a sheen.

Silicones, Silicone resin, silanes, and siloxanes all are penetrating water repellents. They are based on NANOTECHNOLOGY. They will never yellow, fade, or peel. They have a lifespan of 5+ years.

Penetrating Repellents can be HYDROPHOBIC – Which repels water & OLEOPHOBIC – Which repels Oil.

Film Forming Sealants -

Film Forming Sealants are also called Topical sealants. It uses resin such as acrylics, forming a continuous surface over the masonry, bridging very small cracks and voids. Because of this, films can also reduce the vapor transmission of a concrete masonry wall. Films tend to add a glossier finish to the wall surface, and may intensify the substrate color. They generally require higher application standards and maintenance. They form a thin protective film on the concrete surface.

INTEGRAL WATER REPELLENTS

Integral water repellents are usually polymeric products incorporated into masonry products before construction. Because integral water repellents are evenly distributed throughout the wall, they do not change the finished appearance. In addition, integral water repellents are effective at reducing efflorescence, since water migration throughout the block is reduced.

'SEALANT' is “any material placed in a joint opening generally to weatherproof a building, so designed to prevent the passage of moisture, air, dust, and heat through all joints and seams in the structure.” Sealant is a substance that is used to block the passage of fluids through the surface or joints or openings in materials, a type of mechanical seal. They seal the top structures of the substrates and are particularly effective in waterproofing processes by keeping moisture out (or in)