Waterproofing and Sealants:
The Real Deal on Whether to Seal or Not To Seal?!

OK, we’ve heard it a zillion times – They say, ‘take steps to protect your investments.’ Sound familiar, right? Well, ‘they’ happen to be right. For most of us, our homes represent the single, largest financial transaction of our lifetime. So, learning about ways to protect the materials around it can not only keep them looking new, but save you money, too. Sealants do more than prevent cracks and protect surfaces from spills. They offer color options for certain types of products and an added ‘wet look’ to others.

Not all materials need to be sealed, and those that do, will require some maintenance every few years. The experts at Imperia Masonry Supply have provided you with the 411 on the topic to help get you started.

Assess the True Need for a Sealant: As a general rule, if a product is porous it has the capacity to absorb water. That includes products like brick, block, stucco and natural stone, to name a few. Some brick companies do not recommend sealants, so ask an expert to be sure about your specific products. Materials commonly used around pools will typically need a sealant to help protect them from pool chemicals, sap, and spills. If you live in an area with hot summers and cold winters, sealants could be recommended to help manage moisture issues during freeze-thaw cycles.

Take Your Time with the Decision: If you recently had an installation, don’t rush yourself on the sealant issue. Most experts advise waiting at least 30 days and sometimes, as long as one year, before rendering a decision. During this time, enjoy your new masonry products and see how you like them. Take notice to how they look after it rains. Love it or hate it? Most dense materials do not have to be sealed, but some homeowners apply sealants for aesthetic reasons. Do you prefer a shiny, wet look or do you gravitate towards color? These are questions we often don’t ask ourselves until faced with a decision. So, don’t rush it. Sealants are extremely hard to take off once applied, so ask questions and make an informed decision. Make a great decision for your needs and taste!

Know What Products Need to Be Sealed: As a rule of thumb, you need to think about porous products differently than dense materials. For example, some brick and stone products often need to be sealed to protect against water absorption or graffiti. Masonry products are not immune to Father Time, either. Older masonry surfaces will start to absorb moisture over time. So, a sealer will help address absorption issues on older materials and prolong the life of your material. While pavers, for example, are dense and don’t need to be sealed. A sealer can be applied to pavers to enhance the look of the material – the aesthetics we mentioned earlier. There are all different types of surface materials, so be sure to ask questions and learn what you have and how to take care of it.

Understand the Types of Sealants: There are many types of sealants and waterproofing products. Here are a few of the most common options for homeowners.

Clear Penetrating: The most commonly used product to waterproof all types of surfaces and helps keep the natural and/or original look

Clear Enhancing: Product gives most surfaces a wet look

Cementitious: A waterproof, cement-base coating used mostly on vertical surfaces (like a wall) and comes in white, grey and custom colors

Learn to prolong the life of your outdoor products. Much like tossing that extra umbrella into your car, you will be drier and happier when it rains on you (and easier to clean up, too).

Call 800-246-2569 to speak with a customer service team member. We’re homeowners, too!