By: Bruce Bahlmann - Contributing Author (your feedback is important to us!)

[Project Overview] [Home Design Reference] [Lien Waver Example] [Buy a House] [Heating & AC]

Do you have one of those basements that seem to leak? Perhaps you have just poured a concrete driveway or installed something new which is composed of concrete and would like it to stay that way. There is a growing problem among companies that sell you concrete - the problem has to do with things outside their control - namely salt and other chemicals that states and counties are spreading on their roads that ultimately disintegrate concrete. All these factors contribute to things you should do to protect concrete. While even the thought of protecting it seems silly, however the truth is you really need to.

Concrete, like anything else exposed to elements, breaks down and over time losses its ability to perform its desired function. To combat these elements and protect concrete this article discusses some things you can do which will increase the life and performance of your concrete. Lets start with easy things like landscaping to ensure water runs away from your house, drive, or garage - this is the single most important thing you can do. However, beyond these, you can't just buy some masonry waterproofing paint and hope that is going to solve your problems. while these products do help, they are not penetrating and thus don't ever address the heart of the problem.

One of the best things you can do is apply "Reacted Silicate" to new concrete once it has cured for at least 30 days. Reacted Silicate penetrates concrete and protects the underlying aggregate (the larger rocks which provide the core strength of the concrete). Without protecting the aggregate, water can (and does) penetrate down to the aggregate and can lift portions of the surface layer all the way down to the aggregate. This "chipping" or "pitting" is common in colder climates and is the result of salt/water mix penetrating concrete upon exposure to sun and warmer weather and then freezing again at night or during extreme cold weather. Over time, this repeated freeze/thaw activity breaks down the concrete making the once smooth service look like a battlefield.

There are several distributors for this chemical - some of them you can purchase directly through your cement provider. I've chosen to use PPK, Inc. (a non-profit company) which distributes this fairly odorless treatment which goes on with either a roller or a brush and works pretty well. I found for the roughest concrete brick walls that a nice brush was able to work the product into the concrete better than the roller. However, a thick roller was awesome for cement floors and driveways. Upon applying it, water began to bead up where it once soaked the concrete block, and the wall where water was coming through by more sweating than a steady stream, is now completely dry.

What I liked best about the concrete blanket product was the idea of using it as a vapor barrier. This provided an ideal undercoat which accepted concrete primer very well. I have a much higher degree of confidence in the use of the two products together (sealer and primer) than just the primer (no matter how good that primer is). I've sealed my entire basement with this stuff and gave some areas (where water was more of an issue) a second coat and have positive results.

Note this product is not going to fix holes in cement. However, when combined with good landscaping and proper downspouts you should have a very dry basement.

One note about driveways. If you live in a cold climate and occasionally see large chunks of brown stuff (salt/sand/ice mix) residing on your drive after falling off some car, your better off scooping that up right away and throwing it on your lawn. Even with this product - you need to keep these concentrated chemicals off your drive. Also, if you clean your garage out - it is best to push these off onto the lawn and not just onto the driveway. If you have a drain in your garage, use that if possible. The PPK sealer is only really needed the first year or two of your concrete's life. After 12 months, your concrete "should" be fully cured and would only need re-sealing every 3-5 years. Note unlike some sealers, the PPK product does not change the color, texture, or any other noticeable addition to your concrete.

Can Birds-Eye.Net help you or your Company? Receive your Birds-Eye.Net articles and white papers hot off the presses by adding our RSS feed to your reader.

(C) Copyright Birds-Eye.Net, All rights reserved.
It is against the law to reproduce this content or any portion of it in any form without the explicit written permission of Birds-Eye Network Services, LLC. Federal copyright law (17 USC 504) makes it illegal, punishable with fines up to $100,000 per violation plus attorney's fees.