Why water-seal my concrete surfaces?
Water sealing will help keep stone cleaner for longer and help to protect from water damage, therefore, prolonging the life of the material.
Sealers should be used after the stone cleaning process to close up the pores of the concrete or stone, in order to prevent the penetration of water and oil which act together to stain the stone again. When restoring stone, it is always important to identify the cause of the stain, and prevent the stain from reoccurring at the source. After restoration, and curtailing the source of staining (if possible), it is important to protect the surface in order to help prevent future restoration.
Reasons for Watersealing Concrete & Stone Surfaces
- To prevent the need for frequent pressure washing – Sealed stone stays cleaner for longer, and resists staining and discoloration.
- To guard adjacent materials against mineral leaching – Excess minerals leach from precast onto architectural glass, metal, and other materials where mineral stains are formed relatively quickly. Sealing your precast keeps adjacent windows looking cleaner for longer.
- To prevent oil, water, and stain penetration – Many types of soils can adhere to stone surfaces: vehicle exhaust, tree sap, fluid from leaking vehicles, and many other environmental contaminants.
- To prevent mold and mildew – Sealing stone material prevents the penetration of water. Without water, green and black algae stains are unable to develop as they normally would.
- To avoid water damage – If water is allowed to penetrate your precast, it starts to erode the bond that holds the stone together. This is especially damaging during winter months as water freezes and expands, compromising the strength and bond of the manufactured stone composition. This causes cracks, and even separation of material components, and is extremely expensive to repair. In situations with precast panels, water damage normally only occurs at the surface level, therefore requiring a product designed for superior surface protection.
- To protect your steel components – If water is allowed to penetrate your concrete, and is exposed to steel components that hold your building together, they will start to rust. This can cause structural damage and material staining.
