Foundation Armor Reviews Concrete Sealers
(PRWEB) July 23, 2013 -- Foundation Armor announced Monday their official release of a new line of concrete waterproofing sealers and concrete coatings. Their new line is targeted towards professional contractors but made available to homeowners through their website, foundationarmor.com.
Foundation Armor's extensive line of concrete waterproofing sealers and coatings is as follows:
PENETRATING WATERPROOFERS
There are two primary categories of waterproofing sealers, densifiers and impregnating sealers. Densifiers, like the Armor S1000, Armor S2000 and Armor L3000, chemically react with the concrete to form Calcium Silicate Hydrate (CSH) within the pores. Through densification, these types of sealers reduce the penetration of water and moisture. The amount of water or moisture that can penetrate will lessen with each coat applied.
Impregnating sealers, like the Armor SX5000, chemically react with the concrete and form a hardened material within the pores. The hardened material fills in the entire pore. The barrier will increase in width with each coat applied and two coats is always recommended.
Which type of penetrating sealer is best? For poured concrete, or concrete that has minor moisture problems, a densifier is the best choice. For porous concrete, such as cinderblock and concrete block, an impregnating sealer is the best choice. Both types of sealers can be used on interior and exterior concrete. The Armor SX5000 can be used on other porous materials including slate, stone, stucco, tile, and more.
ACRYLIC SEALERS
Acrylic sealers offer two benefits. First, acrylic sealers will coat the surface of the concrete providing a protective barrier on the surface. Second, acrylic sealers can change the look of the concrete by adding a satin sheen (Armor AR350) or high gloss shine (Armor AR500).
Acrylics are often given a bad reputation because of their short life span. The primary reason why acrylics fail is because water or moisture will build up beneath the acrylic, causing it to bubble and peel. Before applying an acrylic, apply a densifier or impregnating sealer to stop the penetration of water and moisture, and protect the acrylic from the damaging effects. Using a waterproofing sealer first will help to increase the life of the acrylic sealer.
Acrylic sealers can be applied over concrete that already has paint on it, but if you choose to apply the acrylic this way it is important to keep a few things in mind. When you apply an acrylic to concrete, the acrylic will bond to the concrete. When you apply an acrylic over paint, the acrylic will bond to the paint. If the paint starts to peel away, the acrylic will peel with it. To take full advantage of the benefits offered by using an acrylic, consider making sure the concrete is free of paints and other types of coatings.
Designer Hint: To add color, consider dying or staining the concrete before applying the Armor AR350 or Armor AR500 acrylic sealers.
Acrylics come in many forms - each designed for a different use. Epoxy infused acrylics, like the Armor AE Fusion Gloss, are designed as a durable coating for interior surfaces. The Armor AR350 and Armor AR500 are acrylic lacquers and are designed as long-lasting exterior acrylic sealers.
CONCRETE CURE AND SEALERS
Concrete Cure and Sealers, like the Armor Concrete Cure and Seal, are designed to help freshly poured concrete cure better and enhance the aesthetic appearance by leaving behind a clear gloss coat. These types of sealers should only be used on exterior concrete surfaces. They provide a great solution for concrete that needs to cure and look good fast!
If the concrete is fully cured, or older than 28 days, consider first applying a penetrating waterproofer then an acrylic sealer. This way your concrete gets the benefit of being protected and looking good.
EPOXIES AND POLYASPARTIC COATINGS
Epoxies have been used for years as durable garage coatings but when put to the test, aren't able to stand up to UV rays, car oils, and other types of chemicals and environmental challenges. Polyaspartic coatings are entering into and dominating the durable coatings market. Polyaspartics, like the Armor Polyaspartic Coating, are easy to apply, offer superior durability, are resistant to chemicals, and can last up to 10+ years.
CRACK SEALERS
Sealers should never be used to fill cracks unless the cracks never let in water or moisture, and the cracks are so small that a piece of paper can't fit in the crack. If those situations both exist, a penetrating waterproofing or acrylic sealer can be used. If the crack lets in water or moisture, or if the crack can fit in a piece of paper, a concrete repair product needs to be used to properly repair cracks.
• Wet or leaking cracks should be repaired using a hydrophobic polyurethane. Kits like the Armor 10FT Repair Kit, are designed to react with water and repair the crack from the back of the crack to the front of the crack, for the life of the concrete.
• Dry wall cracks in need of structural repair should be repaired using an epoxy. Epoxies are very rigid and commonly used for these types of cracks.
• Floor cracks in need of structure repair should be repaired using a urethane based repair kit, like the Armor FS90. These types of repair kits are injected into the crack through the surface and are designed to permanently bond to the concrete.
• Expansion joints, cold joints, or saw cuts should be repaired using a polyurea based product, like the Armor JFX35. These types of repair kits are injected into the crack through the surface and are designed to permanently bond to the concrete while at the same time maintaining a level of flexibility.
Tanya Willette, Foundation Armor, http://www.foundationarmor.com, 866-306-0246 700, [email protected]
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