Subsurface Water-Repellant Elastomeric Sealers

Our subsurface membrane sealers penetrate deep (up to 3/4") into concrete and other porous building materials, bond to the substrate, cure and form an elastomeric water-repellant membrane below the surface. This membrane repels and sheds water and is resistant to acids and alkalis. These sealers waterproof and provide a long-term protection against deterioration due to moisture and contaminants:

• Protect against rainwater and surface water, road salts, deicers
• Protect against acid rain, chemicals, contaminants, motor oils
• Spills wipe off easily
• Protect against freeze/thaw damage, spalling, pitting
• Stop or reduce efflorescence (“white powder”)
• Prevent the growth of algae, moss, molds and mildew.

These state-of-the-art sealers use waterborne polysiloxanes, organic silicon compounds. (The word siloxane is derived from silicon, oxygen, and alkane.) They penetrate into pores, form long-chain molecules, bond to the substrate, gel and cure.

Polymerized siloxanes are closely related to silicones. The sealers work by sealing the pores inside the substrate, not by forming a surface film. The result is like injecting silicone caulk into the pores. 

Durability and beading

Builders are already familiar with elastomeric waterproofing coatings for foundations, which last much longer than cheap tar coatings. But due to moisture and the "alkali attack" from concrete, they will eventually degrade or separate and are guaranteed for only 5 to 10 years.

But our subsurface elastomeric sealers last much longer, because the sealer is not on the surface but imbedded deep inside the pores. They waterproof the masonry permanently against water seepage and the surface will usually shed water for 10–15 years. A driveway or a brick wall will shed rainwater in sheets and dry out quickly. Once there appear darker areas that absorb water, the sealer can be re-applied.

The water-repellant sealers will make smooth surfaces bead – power-troweled concrete, stamped colored concrete, but not broom-finished concrete. In areas exposed to strong UV-rays from the sun, the surface will usually bead for 3–5 years. Then, a light re-application of the sealer will renew the beading. But regardless of beading, the sealer inside the pores is still effective and the surface will shed water. Note that beading surface may become slippery when wet.

Uses for subsurface elastomeric sealers 

Exterior concrete surfaces – driveways, parking areas, garages, sidewalks, marinas, pool decks

Exterior walls – concrete, concrete blocks, bricks

Masonry – limestone, sandstone, flagstone, natural stones, facades, statues

Interior concrete – basements, foundation slabs

Flooring – sealing slabs with RadonSeal and Ion-Bond Armor before installing flooring.

The premium Plus grades and Ion-bond Armor are highly reactive for a faster and stronger bond, penetrate deeper and through tighter surfaces, last longer and even seal through a single layer of latex paint.

Is it latex- or oil-based paint? Scrub a small area with a solution of warm water and household detergent or dishwashing liquid. Rinse well and towel-dry. Soak a Q-Tip, cotton ball or soft rag in rubbing alcohol and rub it back and forth over the clean area. If the paint comes off, it is latex. Or take a chip of the paint and take it to a paint store.

The Ion-Bond Armor sealer is very unique in penetration and performance. It is the only polysiloxane sealer that also handles negative side water pressure, making it also suitable for basements. Its tight seal makes it also very effective against water vapor.

Comparison with common sealers

There are many paints or surface sealers based on acrylics, urethanes, or epoxy. Some water-repellant surface sealers use silanes, which soon yellow and peel. Our membrane sealers are designed for more demanding contractors and homeowners:

No surface film:

Our elastomeric subsurface sealers do not depend on forming a water-repellent film on the surface. Surface films soon disintegrate because of UV-rays and traffic or crack and peel due to negative side pressure of moisture and efflorescence.

Deep penetration:

Some sealers claim to be “penetrating” when they penetrate merely ¼” into the substrate. Our membrane sealers penetrate up to 3/4” into the substrate.

Durability:

Since the elastomeric membrane is well hidden from UV-rays, it continues to shed water for 10–15 years. A big-name driveway sealer sold in stores disintegrates so quickly in the sun that it has to be re-applied every year.

Friction:

Unless the surface is quite smooth, our elastomeric sealers will not make the surface slippery when wet, particularly the deeper penetrating Plus grades or Ion-Bond Armor.

Safe product:

Some other sealers use chemical solvents, which release fumes, odors and volatiles (VOCs) harmful to people and the environment. Our sealers are waterborne, non-toxic, nonflammable, have zero or very low VOCs, are non-hazardous and environment-friendly.

Quick and easy spray-on application:

It could not be easier - two successive applications with a hand-pump garden sprayer.

Comparison with RadonSeal reactive sealer

Unlike RadonSeal, the membrane sealers do not depend on a chemical reaction with free lime – they are self-reacting. Consequently, they can seal a wide range of porous building materials, including bricks and stones, as well as colored or low-grade concrete. But that also means they have a short shelf life.

A surface sealed with a polysiloxane sealer repels liquids, spills can be just wiped off, it may bead if very smooth and is not paintable (except Ion-Bond Armor). Concrete sealed with RadonSeal will “wet” (not bead), remains paintable, spills do not penetrate and are easy to wash off. Certain membrane sealers seal even through a layer of latex paint.

RadonSeal is for sound concrete and cementitious materials only. It penetrates deeper (up to 4”) and chemically reacts with alkalis. It hardens the surface and stops concrete dusting, strengthens the concrete, seals even against radon gas, and is permanent. Backed up by a Limited Lifetime Guarantee ! The elastomeric sealers (except Ion-Bond Armor) do not resist negative side water pressure like in basements.

RadonSeal is the best choice for sealing bare, standard-quality concrete, poured or blocks. If a water-repellant surface is also desired, the membrane sealer can be added after RadonSeal.

Concrete Armor and Concrete Armor Plus

Not dependent on the content of cement and unlike RadonSeal, also seal low-cement concrete or internally colored concrete.

• For outdoor concrete – driveways, sidewalks, exterior walls
• For garage and shop floors
• Waterproof the surface - repel rainwater with salts and contaminants
• Protect against road salts, oils, chemicals, and contaminants
• Spills wipe off easily
• Reduce efflorescence
• Prevent the growth of algae, moss, molds, mildew
• Not paintable
• Usually lasts 5–7 years or longer.

Concrete Armor does not penetrate as deep and tends to bead more when applied to a smooth surface, which may become slippery when wet. The Plus grade penetrates deeper, is highly reactive for a faster and stronger bond, lasts longer and seals even through a single layer of latex paint.

Often used to add a water-repellent surface to outdoor concrete already deep-sealed with RadonSeal.

Brick Armor and Brick Armor Plus

Similar to Concrete Armor and Concrete Armor Plus but for clay materials:

• For exterior brick walls
• For clay pavers and Mexican tile. 

The Plus grade seals even through a single layer of latex paint.

Stone Armor LS and Stone Armor NS

Similar to Concrete Armor and Concrete Armor Plus but for stones and masonry. Highly reactive and penetrating. Waterproof and protect building facades, statutes and monuments against rainwater, acid rain and the elements.

Stone Armor LS is designed for limestone and sandstone.

Stone Armor NS is for natural stones and marble.

IonBond Armor Subsurface Water-Repellent Sealer

The “champ” among all subsurface membrane sealers, without equal in the marketplace – penetrates the deepest and seals the tightest:

• Penetrates 3/4" or more into concrete.

• The only siloxane sealer that is also suitable for basements and retaining walls because it waterproofs against negative side water pressure. Water pressure cannot push it out of the pores.

• Leaves the surface suitable for paints and adhesives or thinset mortar for ceramic tiles. But we recommend to first lightly sand the surface (80–50 grit) to remove any residue from puddling or over-application.

• Well hidden against UV-rays, typically effective over 15 years.

• So penetrating that it even seals through a single layer of latex paint.

• Its molecules are so small that it can seal tighter power-troweled surfaces than RadonSeal.

• Is also effective against water vapor transmission and gases.

Unlike RadonSeal, IonBond Armor is self-reacting and does not depend on a chemical reaction with the concrete. åThis allows it to seal a wide range of concretes, bricks and masonry with little or no cement, concrete with excessive additives, fibercrete, and internally colored concrete.

For more information, application instructions, and MSDS, check out:

IonBond Armor pail label in PDF.

IonBond Armor MSDS in PDF.

Common uses:

• Waterproofing concrete basements, retaining walls, foundation slabs
• Waterproofing brick basement walls
• Waterproofing tightly troweled foundations slabs
• Waterproofing exterior walls – concrete or brick
• Protects against chemicals, acids, and alkalis, spills can be wiped off
• Reduces water vapor transmission and infiltration of gases, particularly when applied after RadonSeal.
• Stops or reduces efflorescence.

Prices and shipping

Shipped by courier directly from the factory to your doors. Normally, shipped the same or next working day. Delivery by UPS Ground in 3–5 working days within the lower 48 states. Packaged in 5-gallon pails.

Easy spray-on application

The Plus grades and Ion-Bond Armor are shipped in a cardboard box, which contains a small container with activator and a mixing tool. Using a standard 1/4" electric drill, the activator has to be mixed in by the user just before the application.

For best results, use the sealer within 30 days (max. 45 days) after receipt (a non-returnable product) or within 7 days after mixing in the activator.

The surface has to be clean and thoroughly dry. Remove any paint, surface sealers, grime, oil, or efflorescence. However, Ion-Bond Armor or the Plus sealers seal even through a single layer of latex paint.

Use a low-pressure sprayer like the common hand-pump garden sprayer. Spray on a thin but continuous glistening film. Do not over-apply, do not let it run, and back-roll any puddles. After spraying for 15–20 minutes, return to the beginning and while the surface is still wet, spray on the second application. (Do not let the first application cure or it would start repelling the second application). Then, move on to the next section.

Using the mixing tool, always mix the sealer before re-filling the sprayer.

Coverage: Approx. 1,000 sq. ft. per 5-gallon pail on poured concrete or 700 sq. ft. per pail on very porous surfaces (in 2 successive applications).

Combination seals with RadonSeal

After the concrete has been sealed with RadonSeal, Concrete Armor and Concrete Armor Plus will add a water-repellent surface making spills easy to wipe off. Useful for floors in shops and factories.

If there is a lot of moisture coming up through a concrete slab, Concrete Armor will trap the moisture and may turn cloudy, giving the surface a whitish appearance. It has to be sealed first by RadonSeal.

Ion-Bond Armor is often applied on concrete first sealed with RadonSeal to provide the tightest possible seal against water vapor and gases. Particularly useful before installing flooring - much better than plastic sheets which trap moisture and may cause molds and mildew.

• Before installing moisture sensitive flooring on foundation slabs,
• To avoid trapping moisture under impermeable flooring,
• To seal against vapor or gas intrusion (e.g. landfills, brown fields, hydrocarbon spills, termicides).

Application of the secondary sealer:
About 6 hours after the application of RadonSeal, wash and scrub off the surface with a deck brush or a scrubber to remove any residue from the surface. Let dry out and cure for at least 10 days before applying the elastomeric membrane sealer.

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telephone toll-free 1-800-472-0603 or 203-225-0367

MADE IN USA
Products not sold through retail stores. Available exclusively from:
Radon Mitigation & Concrete Waterproofing Co.
Novion Inc., 18 L'Hermitage Drive, Shelton, CT 06484 USA
RadonSeal™ is a registered trademark. Copyright © 1998-2010. All rights reserved.

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