The Ghostshield Lithi-Tek 9500 concrete sealer is one of the best product offerings on the market today. It is a penetrating, impregnating, densifying sealer. By using a penetrating, impregnating sealer that densifies and hardens concrete and also provides a hydrophobic surface barrier you can ensure a fully waterproofed substrate. The 9500 sealer is an invisible, penetrating concrete sealer that will not only densify concrete, but it will waterproof and help to prevent deleterious organic growth. The chemically reactive and active ingredients seal the pores within the substrate adequately blocking surface moisture while still maintaining the concretes ability to breathe. It will not significantly modify substrate appearance or traction and will only wear away if the concrete surface itself wears away.
The Lithi-Tek 9500 is VOC free with deep penetration and a wide range of coverage. This Ghostshield product is sold in its concentrated form, accompanied by easy-to-follow instructions on how to dilute it. A sealer that is sold concentrated is a much better option than one sold pre-mixed, as you can be certain of the ratios when you are mixing yourself.
In the end, the Ghostshield Lithi-Tek 9500 is an excellent concrete sealing product. New or existing concrete can be treated and performance can be improved in as little as two applications. The concentrated nature of the sealer allows for 1000 sq. ft. of coverage from 1 gallon and is now readily available at HomeDepot.com. This sealer only costs about $0.10 per square foot per application; considering the cost to replace concrete is about $7.00 per square foot, sealing concrete with the 9500 is a worthwhile investment. KreteTek achieved something great with their proprietary formula, and they are certainly on the wave of cutting edge chemical compositions that other companies will likely catch on to in the future.
Manufactured by Kryton, a well known name in the field of waterproofing materials, the Krystol T-1 is a surface waterproofer that is brushed onto the surface of the concrete in order to lock out water from entering from above. The Krystol T-1 is a cementitious product, meaning it is not a chemically reactive formula like a penetrating sealer. It is also not like an acrylic surface sealer, as it is instead made up of cement, simply providing another layer of concrete-like material to seal out moisture.
The product itself comes in a powder form, making it a little more technically difficult to apply than a liquid sealer. It is also more dangerous to apply, as inhalation of the powdered Portland cement could lead to serious health concerns. Ultimately, the Krystol T-1 is a product that is meant to be mixed with water, effectively making more cement above the concrete (cement is a material in concrete – the two terms are not technically interchangeable). The addition of more cement above the concrete theoretically helps block out water because the moisture has to travel through an extra layer. If you are looking for a cementitious waterproofer the Krystol T1 is an excellent choice.
Quikrete, one of the more famous companies in the concrete sealer market, is a reputable brand that produces adequate concrete sealing products. They are extremely convenient, often featured in such chains as Lowes and Home Depot. However, some of their more specialized concrete sealing products are not as competitive as those manufactured and distributed by companies that specialize in concrete sealers.
The Acrylic Concrete Cure & Seal product is a dual-purpose water-based solution that cures concrete while also providing a protective acrylic film for the surface of your concrete. Acrylic sealers consist of large polymer particles that will not penetrate past the concrete’s surface. Instead, they will be spread over the concrete to create a film that helps resist water and chemical spills. This particular offering from Quikrete does not offer slip resistance, which makes it a worse option for pool decks or other surfaces you wouldn’t want to slip on.
As a water-based sealer, the Quikrete sealer has a low VOC content, making it legal for use in states with strict environmental regulations. It is also safer for your health as an applicator, with less harmful fumes. Overall, it is a convenient offering, though if you want superior protection, you’d be better off with a more specific concrete sealing product from a specialized manufacturer.
The EUCO Diamond Hard offered by Euclid Chemical is a solid option for a penetrating concrete sealer. Made up of a blend of silicates/siliconates, the Diamond Hard sealer is a powerful option that will penetrate past the small surface pores of the concrete, reacting chemically within the surface of the material to densify and protect the concrete.
Silicate/siliconate blends are the best densifying and waterproofing sealers out there on the market. They combine the strength, durability, densification and hardness of a silicate sealer mixed with the waterproofing siliconate molecules creating the perfect concrete sealer.
Other benefits include:
- Minimizes tire marks and enables them to be more easily removed.
- Compatible with bond breakers for tilt-up projects.
- Can contribute to LEED points
- Reduces porosity and increases durability of the concrete surface
- Complies with VOC regulations across North America
- Resists penetration of oil and liquids
If you intend to polish your concrete, using a silicate/siliconate sealer before hand will increase the hardness and polishability of the surface. Euco Diamond Hard silicate/siliconate concrete sealer is the best choice when densifying concrete.
Ashford Formula, a concrete sealing option manufactured by Curecrete Chemical Company, is a water-based sodium silicate sealer. The formula is the only concrete sealer offering by Curecrete Chemical, making it a highly specialized option.
The solution is clear and odorless with a low-VOC content that makes it legal for use in states like California, New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey with strict environmental regulations. More and more states are beginning to adopt such regulations, making it likely that water-based sealers will be the application method of the future. That being said, solvent-based sealers certainly have their place, though adequate care must be taken on application.
As the Ashford Formula is water-based, it can be applied indoors as well as outdoors. Being a silicate sealer, the solution will penetrate through the surface pores of your concrete into the material. Once inside, the silicate particles will react chemical with the free lime and alkalis within the concrete, helping to densify the concrete while protecting it from moisture and water damage, as well as from the passage of harmful natural gases like radon and methane.
While most silicate sealers can be applied to any appropriate concrete surface without an issue, the Ashford Formula is designed specifically for floor use, and isn’t as well known for its use on walls. If you have basement walls that need attention, you’d be better off finding a company with a more extensive product line that offers some more flexible sealers.
Advertised as being suitable for interior or exterior concrete surfaces, Endur-O-Seal’s Hydra Seal concrete sealer is a penetrating sealer option similar to Applied Technologies Hydra-Block sealer. The Hyrda Seal is a water-based sealant, making it environmentally safer than a solvent-based product. It is also safer for use indoors, as the fumes aren’t as hazardous and the risk of flammability is not as high. It also has a low VOC content, which makes it legal in states like California, New Jersey, and New York with strict environmental regulations on concrete sealers and other such products.
The product in particular is a sodium silicate sealer that will penetrate past the surface of the concrete to bond chemically within the concrete. The chemical reaction will help protect the concrete from water leakage and seepage, all while allowing a certain amount of moisture to pass through the concrete’s pores. Concrete needs to release moisture in a controlled way in order to remain as strong and as durable as possible.
With protection from the incursion of water, moisture in basements would hopefully not lead to mold and mildew build-up – however, Endur-O-Seal cannot guarantee this with their product. Despite this, it is a solid product, if a little on the expensive side, that will help you protect your concrete surfaces.