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Barrier Systems (continued)
Water repellents
should
not
be considered as a
typical barrier for waterproofing purposes.
They penetrate the substrates, filling the pores.
After curing, they remain as a solid material or
shield that provides water repellency. They are
identified as: acrylics, silanes, siloxanes or
stereates, depending on their composition.
Which water repellent to use is a complex
process, which cannot be covered in this
handbook. I suggest that you refer to the SWRI
“Clear Water Repellents for Above Grade
Masonry and Horizontal Concrete Treatments
Manual”.
This publication will give you a
complete understanding of water repellents and a
clear comparison of products.
Here is an example of
and option of water
repellent use.
In my backyard, this
Cherub was cleaned
every spring and would
turn green with mold
every winter. In the
summer of 2000, I
cleaned it and applied a
siloxane clear water
repellent to the left side, leaving the right side
untreated. In April 2002 the difference was
obvious.
Water repellents do not provide the unper-
meability requirement to be considered an
acceptable barrier.