It pays to use a concrete sealer that penetrates

Sealing concrete surfaces is a key strategy for prolonging service life, reducing maintenance costs and protecting against aggressive environments. MAPEI offers three distinct, penetrating water-repellants for specific needs, matching cost and performance to the exposure and budget: Planiseal WR (silane/siloxane blend), Planiseal WR 40 (water-based and 40%-silane), and the 100%-silane Planiseal WR 100. Each brings unique benefits in an efficient, cost-effective manner.

Penetrating rather than film-forming: All three products are penetrating sealers (as opposed to simple surface coatings), meaning they chemically or physically migrate into the pores of the concrete and impart water-repellency without creating a thick surface film. Because these sealers penetrate the concrete substrate, there’s less risk of delamination, maintenance is simpler, and the appearance is largely unchanged. They also serve to improve dirt-pickup resistance.

Cost-effective protection by tiering performance: MAPEI offers these three different products because they are each designed to meet different levels of durability and performance, allowing specifiers and project managers to select an appropriate protective level for the asset and exposure level. For example, Planiseal WR 40 offers a strong balance of performance and cost for moderately exposed concrete surfaces, including parking decks, bridge and stadium decks, facades, walkways, etc. In ASTM C642 testing, it provides over 75% reduction in water absorption after immersion, and chloride ion content reduction exceeding 85% after 5-day air-dry tests, per NCHRP Report 244, Series II.

For protection against more extreme exposure, such as marine structures, bridge components or areas exposed to particularly heavy chloride/freeze‐thaw environments, Planiseal WR 100 delivers deep penetration, higher chloride‐ion reduction and the greatest resistance to freeze-thaw scaling of the three. By choosing the most cost-efficient product that meets the exposure requirements, project owners can avoid over-specifying product where Planiseal WR or Planiseal WR 40 would suffice, while only selecting the heavy-duty Planiseal WR 100 when and where needed.

Enhanced durability and reduced maintenance: Planiseal WR 100 provides the greatest reductions in water absorption (86%) and chloride ion ingress (91%) after 5-day air-dry tests, and no scaling at 75 cycles, per ASTM C672. This means long-term protection for concrete exposed to harsh conditions, fewer patch/repair cycles and thus lower lifecycle cost. The ability of these sealers to reduce chloride penetration helps protect embedded steel and avoid major repair costs from corrosion damage.

Minimal appearance change, breathable substrate: A cost-effective sealer should not compromise aesthetics or create secondary issues. These products all feature a colorless finish and maintenance of substrate breathability (allowing internal moisture to escape). These features help preserve the original look of the concrete and avoid trapped moisture problems that can lead to spalling or blistering, reducing cost of future maintenance.

Ease of application and lower labour costs: All three products are one-component and relatively easy to apply (spray, roller or broom) on vertical and horizontal surfaces once the substrate is properly prepared. Less complexity means labour savings, less potential for error, and thereby lower installed cost. And because the surface is already protected from moisture/chloride ingress, downstream costs (patching, delamination repair) are also reduced.

Adaptable to different exposures: Choose Planiseal WR for lighter duty, Planiseal WR 40 for meeting mid-range needs, and the high-performance Planiseal WR 100 for the most severe conditions, including the need for application in sub-zero cold (as low as -7°C). That and other attributes led the provinces of Quebec and Ontario both to include Planiseal WR 100 on their Ministry of Transport-approved product lists. This flexibility also allows project owners to only pay for what they need, performance-wise, and thereby optimize cost-effectiveness while ensuring adequate protection.

Sustainability and long life: The three products’ low-VOC compositions and long-lasting protection against moisture and chloride intrusion contribute toward sustainable construction credentials. By extending the service life of the substrate and delaying the need for any major repairs, these products support cost-effectiveness over the entire life cycle.