• In environments which experience a drop in temperature below 32 degrees, freezing water is the biggest threat to concrete. When water freezes, it expands 9%, and this expansion is enough to destroy something as strong as a concrete driveway.

• Whether you live in a northern state that salts its roads during winter months, or states near the ocean, salt is quietly destroying your concrete. Over the years, salt migrates through concrete to the underlying structural steel, causing it to rust. As steel rusts it expands, and before you know it… POPS the concrete loose! This is the same process that creates potholes on highways.
• Salt and deicing chemicals also allow concrete to absorb more water than it would on its own. More water means more expansion as it freezes, creating more spalling and “pop outs”.
• Salt and deicing chemicals create artificial freeze/thaw cycles as they melt ice and snow, and it later re-freezes. Each freeze/thaw cycle damages concrete as the freezing water expands.

• Hardeners and densifiers penetrate into concrete and undergo a chemical reaction to make interior concrete less porous, making it stronger and able to withstand greater loads, while reducing the “dusting and maintenance requirements. ChemMasters makes a variety of hardner/densifiers including Chemisil, Chemisil Plus and Chemisil Plus Li.

• Although not exposed to freeze/thaw cycles and weathering, interior concrete is often subject to abrasion, wear and dusting. A suitable treatment or coating can extend the life of interior concrete, make it easier to clean and less prone to dusting.

• Penetrating Sealers
  • Penetrating sealers undergo a chemical reaction within concrete to form silicone, creating a concrete surface that repels liquid water but allows water vapor to escape. Making concrete less absorptive reduces damage caused by freeze/thaw cycles and deicing chemicals. Aquanil Plus 40 is a high-VOC solvent-based silane sealer. Aquanil Plus 40-A and Aquanil Plus 100 are low-VOC solvent-based silane sealers.
• Hardeners & Densifiers
  • Hardeners and densifiers undergo a chemical reaction within concrete to form more concrete paste, making the surface of interior concrete harder, denser, stronger, less prone to dusting and easier to clean. ChemMasters makes a variety of hardner/densifiers including Chemisil, Chemisil Plus and Chemisil Plus Li.

Solvent based:

• Strengths
  • Able to be used in colder temperatures (down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Weaknesses
  • Strong solvent odor
  • Solvents can damage landscaping

Water-based:

• Strengths
  • Low-odor
  • Landscape friendly
• Weaknesses
  • Requires higher temperatures for use (50 degrees and rising).

Click here to view ChemMasters Concrete Curing Guide (pdf).

Unlike traditional sealers that leave a film on the top of concrete, penetrating sealers soak deeply into concrete and undergo a chemical reaction. That reaction creates a long lasting and effective silicone barrier, preventing the absorption of water and deicing chemicals which damage concrete from the inside.

• Penetrating sealers do not darken or change the appearance of concrete or masonry
• Penetrating sealers are more effective protection against damage from freeze/thaw cycles and deicing chemicals
• Penetrating sealers are easier to apply
• Penetrating sealers last longer
• Aquanil Plus 40 is a high-VOC solvent-based silane sealer. Aquanil Plus 40-A and Aquanil Plus 100 are low-VOC solvent-based silane sealers.

Is your concrete new?

Unique Patented One-Step Penetrating Cure & Seal for Broom Finish Concrete

• Silencure™: Available in high-VOC (Silencure), low-VOC (Silencure-A), and water-based (Silencure SRT) formulations. Silencure is a patented technology that cures concrete, applies a long-term penetrating silane sealer, and leaves a low gloss acrylic co-polymer film. All in one step! Silencure is the “best” available protection for new concrete from damage caused by deicing chemicals, freeze/thaw cycling, and salt water. Silencure and Silencure-A are great choices for broom finished concrete, while Silencure SRT can be used on hard troweled and precast concrete as well. All Silencure products are designed to be used only on newly placed concrete. To learn more about Silencure SRT click here. Silencure is available in 5-gallon and 55-gallon packages.

Unique One-Step Penetrating Cure & Seal for Decorative Concrete

• Certi-Vex® Guard Clear: Available in high-VOC (Certi-Vex Guard Clear) and low-VOC (Certi-Vex Guard Clear AIM) formulations. Certi-Vex Guard Clear applies a high gloss styrene modified acrylic cure with long-term penetrating silane sealer. All in one step! Certi-Vex Guard Clear will deepen and enrich the color of decorative concrete while providing long-term protection from damage caused by deicing chemicals, freeze/thaw cycling, and salt water. Certi-Vex Guard Clear and Certi-Vex Guard Clear AIM are great choices for decorative concrete with stamped and exposed aggregate finishes. Certi-Vex Guard Clear is available in 5-gallon and 55-gallon packages.

Your driveway, sidewalk or garage is… NOT new?

• Aquanil™ Plus 40: Is a fast drying, 40% active solids, penetrating, water-repellent, chemically reactive silane sealer available in high-VOC (Aquanil Plus 40), and two low-VOC formulas; one for DOT applications (Aquanil Plus 40-A) and one for commercial and residential applications (Aquanil Plus 40 VOC). Aquanil Plus 40 penetrates deeply into concrete and provides the “best” protection against the absorption of water, damage caused by salt water, freeze/thaw cycling and deicing chemicals, while remaining 100% breathable. It does not form a film on concrete, and as a result does not change the appearance of concrete, while outlasting film-forming sealers by years. Aquanil Plus 40 is available in 5-gallon and 55-gallon packages. Aquanil Plus 40-A is available in a 55-gallon package. Aquanil Plus 40 VOC is available in a 5-gallon package.

• Certi-Vex® Penseal 244 40% AIM: Is a low-VOC, 40% active solids, penetrating, water-repellent, chemically reactive silane sealer. Certi-Vex Penseal 244 40% AIM penetrates deeply into concrete and provides the “best” protection against the absorption of water, damage caused by salt water, freeze/thaw cycling and deicing chemicals, while remaining 100% breathable. It does not form a film on concrete, and as a result does not change the appearance of concrete, while outlasting film-forming sealers by years. Certi-Vex Penseal 244 40% AIM is available in 55-gallon packages.

• Aquanil™ Plus 100: High strength, fast drying, 100% active solids, low-VOC penetrating, water-repellent, chemically reactive silane sealer, available in 5-gallon and 55-gallon packages.

• Certi-Vex Penseal 100: High strength, 100% active solids, low-VOC penetrating, water-repellent, chemically reactive silane sealer, available in 5-gallon and 55-gallon packages.

• PowerSeal: Is a water-based, penetrating, water-repellent, chemically reactive silane sealer available in a 40% active solids version for DOT applications (PowerSeal 40) and 20% active solids version (PowerSeal 20) for commercial and residential applications. Certi-Vex PowerSeal 40 is not recommended for use on commercial or residential concrete. Certi-Vex PowerSeal 40 and Certi-Vex PowerSeal 20 penetrate deeply into concrete and provides the “best” protection against the absorption of water, damage caused by salt water, freeze/thaw cycling and deicing chemicals, while remaining 100% breathable. It does not form a film on concrete, and as a result does not change the appearance of concrete, while outlasting film-forming sealers by years. Both Certi-Vex PowerSeal 40 and Certi-Vex PowerSeal 20 are available in 5-gallon and 55-gallon packages.

• Certi-Vex PowerSeal SS Plus: Is a water-based, penetrating, water-repellent, chemically reactive silane modified siloxane sealer available in an 8% active solids version for vertical applications (PowerSeal SS Plus). PowerSeal SS Plus provides good protection to both concrete and masonry and are preferred sealers for highly porous substrates such as concrete block and CMU. They penetrate deeply into concrete and masonry to provide effective protection against the absorption of water, damage caused by salt water, freeze/thaw cycling and deicing chemicals, while remaining 100% breathable. It does not form a film on concrete, and as a result does not change the appearance of concrete, while outlasting film-forming sealers by years. PowerSeal SS Plus is available in 1-gallon, 5-gallon and 55-gallon packages.

Chemical & Oil Resistant Systems

Many garages are subject to fluids leaking from automobiles or spills from a variety of household and lawn chemicals.

• Certi-Vex® Penseal 244 O/W: Is a 40% active solids, penetrating, water, oil and stain repellent, chemically reactive silane sealer available in both low-VOC (Certi-Vex Penseal 244 O/W) and high-VOC (Certi-Vex Penseal 244 O/W AIM) formulas. Certi-Vex Penseal 244 O/W penetrates deeply into concrete and provides the “best” protection against damage caused by salt water, freeze/thaw cycling and deicing chemicals, with added oil, water and stain repellency. Certi-Vex Penseal 244 O/W remains 100% breathable. It does not form a film on concrete, and as a result does not change the appearance of concrete, while outlasting film-forming sealers by years. Certi-Vex Penseal 244 O/W is available in 5-gallon and 55-gallon packages.

• Chemisil™ Plus OR: An environmentally friendly water-based, oil resistant formulation to be used as a topcoat over Chemisil hardener/densifier. The Chemisil/Chemisil Plus OR system creates a hardened, dense, non-dusting surface with superior oil and grease repellency. Use EZ Strip Cure to properly cure your concrete prior to applying the Chemisil/Chemisil Plus OR system. Both Chemisil and Chemisil Plus OR are available in 5-gallon and 55-gallon packages.

Is your concrete…New?

To cure newly placed warehouse floors prior to the use of penetrating hardeners and densifiers, we recommend:

• EZ Strip Cure™: An environmentally friendly, water-based, easily removable cure that allows newly installed concrete to achieve its full design strength and durability and meets ASTM C309 specifications. EZ Strip Cure may be quickly removed with common household cleaners such as Mr. Clean, Spic N Span, or dilute ammonia and water, allowing the application of penetrating sealers or specialty coatings. EZ Strip Cure is available in 5-gallon and 55-gallon packages.

• EZ Strip Cure™ DR: An environmentally friendly, water-based, dissipating resin cure for use on newly installed concrete floors. EZ Strip Cure DR requires only light abrasion for removal and no exposure to UV sunlight in order to dissipate, making it an effective dissipating resin cure for indoor use. EZ Strip Cure DR is available in 5-gallon and 55-gallon packages.

Is your concrete…Cured?

If you're about to install a brand-new concrete warehouse floor, then you need to carefully choose a curing compound that will allow you to apply subsequent penetrating treatments or coatings. We recommend EZ Strip Cure DR which is a dissipating resin for indoor use or EZ Strip Cure which cures concrete to ASTM C309 standards and is easily removable with household cleaners like Spic-N-Span and Mr. Clean. Now you're ready to apply a penetrating hardener or densifier to strengthen and dustproof your floor, or a coating such as epoxy or urethane.

• Chemisil™: An environmentally friendly water-based hardener and dustproofer with clear, penetrating sodium silicate. Chemisil strengthens warehouse floors and eliminates dusting. Chemisil is available in 5-gallon and 55-gallon packages.

• StarSeal® PS Clear: An environmentally friendly water-based hardener, densifier and dustproofer with clear, penetrating potassium silicate. StarSeal PS Clear strengthens warehouse floors, eliminates dusting and is less prone to efflorescence. StarSeal PS Clear is available in 5-gallon and 55-gallon packages.

• Chemisil™ Plus: An environmentally friendly water-based hardener, densifier and dustproofer with clear, penetrating sodium silicate fortified with added siliconate. Chemisil Plus strengthens and densifies warehouse floors and eliminates dusting. Chemisil Plus is available in 5-gallon and 55-gallon packages.

• Chemisil™ Plus Li: An environmentally friendly water-based hardener, densifier and dustproofer with clear, penetrating lithium silicate fortified with added siliconate. Chemisil Plus Li strengthens and densifies warehouse floors, eliminates dusting, has increased penetration, and reduces the potential for white salt deposits to appear on the floor surface. Chemisil Plus Li is available in 5-gallon and 55-gallon packages.

If you desire an oil and grease resistant finish, we recommend:

• Chemisil™ Plus OR: An environmentally friendly water-based, oil resistant formulation to be used as a topcoat over Chemisil or StarSeal PS Clear. The Chemisil / Chemisil Plus OR system creates a hardened, dense, non-dusting surface with superior oil and grease repellency. Chemisil Plus OR is available in 5-gallon and 55-gallon packages.