Archive for the ‘Concrete’ Category

Commercial Grade Concrete Sealer

Saturday, September 12th, 2009

COMMERCIAL GRADE CONCRETE SEALER, HARDENER, DENSIFIER & SALT BARRIER MANUFACTURED BY ZEROVOC TECHNOLOGY

 

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

LITHISEAL ZLi 71 is a clear, solvent-free, odorless, VOC compliant, water-based environmentally safe-to-use salt barrier and dust proofer that seals, hardens and densifies concrete and masonry.

 

LITHISEAL ZLi 71 was developed to treat a wide variety of mineral substrates including architectural concrete, concrete block, splitface block, pavers, stucco, porous and dense brick, clay tile and exposed aggregate concrete. It has been found to be particularly effective in commercial concrete sealing applications where high water repellency performance is required.

 

UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS

LITHISEAL ZLi 71 incorporates the sealing, hardening and alkali-silica reaction (ASR) preventing properties of lithium silicate with the chloride protection of silane/siloxane, all in a single, permanent application. LITHISEAL ZLi 71 forms an effective chloride ion screen providing unmatched protection against water and water-carried salts that cause erosion, deterioration and corrosion. LITHISEAL ZLi 71 can be used as an interior or exterior treatment for both horizontal and vertical concrete and masonry. It is perfect for parking garages, bridge decks, brick structures, historic restoration and integrally colored concrete.

 

LITHISEAL ZLi 71 proprietary silane/ siloxane technology provides excellent water repellency to reduce cracking, spalling, freeze/thaw damage, chemical degradation, biological growth, efflorescence, and dirt pickup, thereby lengthening substrate life and reducing maintenance costs.

 

LITHISEAL ZLi 71 helps prevent Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR), a serious problem that occurs when the alkali in the large and fine aggregates reacts with the silica in the cement and with water to form an expansive gel, which can break concrete apart. Other chemical hardeners use potassium or sodium compounds, which can raise alkalinity and contribute to ASR. LITHISEAL ZLi 71 uses lithium technology that does not contribute to the alkalinity and can even prevent surface ASR.

 

LITHISEAL ZLi 71 meets industry standards (NCHRP 244) for protecting concrete against chloride intrusion. (89% + effectiveness)

 

LITHISEAL ZLi 71 is vapor permeable to resist cracking, peeling and blistering. This lengthens substrate life and allows for greater structure strength over time.

 

LITHISEAL ZLi 71 protects gray and colored concrete from weathering and efflorescence thereby reducing maintenance, cleaning costs and repairs.

 

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Form: Milky white, dries clear
Solvents: None
Total Solids: 28%
Active Ingredients: 100% of total solids
Weight/Gal: 9.28 lbs/gal
Specific Gravity: 1.14
Volatile Organic Content: .2 lb/gal
pH: 9
Slip Resistance: Does not change surface friction coefficient

 

New concrete should be allowed to cure for at least 28 days before applying LITHISEAL ZLi 71. In addition, any repair work should be performed at least 3 days before application.

 

FINAL RESULTS

Typical drying time is 1-2 hours for both horizontal and vertical surfaces.

 

Horizontal surfaces are ready for foot traffic and use when dry. Vehicle traffic should be kept to a minimum for at least 24 hours. A light lithium residue may form on the surface after the surface is dry. This is excess solution that was not absorbed and can be removed with a stiff broom. Caution: During application, surfaces wet with solution may be slippery.
Water repellency and hardness continues to develop for up to 20 days following the application; however, significant results should be visible within 24 hours.
Note: All clear sealers will accentuate any nonuniformity in concrete color, texture, or finish.

 

TEST DATA 

 
TEST METHOD
PURPOSE
CONCENTRATION %
PERFORMANCE
Construction Technology Laboratories  NCHRP 244 Report
 
 
 
Series II 
Reduction in Water Absorption 
20.0 
1 day: 75% 5 days: 78%
 21 days: 85% Avg. 79%
 
Reduction in Chloride Ion Content
 
1 day: 70% 5 days: 81%
 21 days: 89% Avg. 80%
 
Water Vapor Transmission
 
100%
 
Series IV
Southern Exposure
 
Accelerated Weathering Test: Resistance to UV light 
Reduction in Soluble Chloride
20.0
 
No Discoloration 
91% Reduction in Soluble Chloride
ASTM E 514-86 
 
Water Penetration and Leakage
 hrough Masonry
10.0
20.0
90% Reduction in Leakage Rate
 89% Reduction in Leakage Rate
 AASHTO 
T-259 &T-260
Resistance of Concrete to Chloride Ion Penetration
20.0
75% Reduction in Total Chloride
 EPA 24/ASTM D3960/
Volatile Organic Content
100.0
.2 lbs./gallon
Fed Spec TT-C-55B
Wind Driven Rain
 
200 Hours with no Effect
ASTM E 96-95 
Water Vapor Transmission (perms)
 
Up: 3.1 (Untreated: 2.9)
 Down: 2.5 (Untreated: 3.0)
Federal Specification
  SS-W-110C
Water Repellency
 (1.0% Maximum Specified)
12.5
 15.0
20.00
0.2% Water Absorption
 0.2% Water Absorption
0.3% Water Absorption

Concrete Sealing Overland Park & Leawood

Friday, September 4th, 2009

Are you looking for a concrete sealing contractor in Overland Park or Leawood, KS?  You’ve come to the right place!  Sealwize of Kansas City is the gold standard in the concrete sealing industry – the standard by which all others are measured.  We offer the most technologically advanced concrete sealants, outstanding professional service, and awesome competitively priced deals!  Typical single car driveways can be sealed with a standard water repellent and salt guard for as low as $349!  Larger driveways or premium sealers will be priced higher.  If you are thinking about sealing your Overland Park or Leawood concrete driveway and don’t want to spend an arm and a leg, you should take advantage of these one-time special promotion prices.  The cost will never be lower!  Call today 913.575.1469!  Or request a free no obligation free consultation and estimate online.

 

Sealwize of Kansas City proudly serves the Blue Valley zip codes of 66209, 66210, 66211, 66213, 66221, 66223, and 66224 in Overland Park, KS and Leawood, KS in Johnson County.

Concrete Driveway Scaling and Spalling Is Most Often Preventable

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009

Is your concrete driveway is starting to develop scaling (flaking and pitting-like surface deterioration) or spalling (broken edges at relief sections)?  If the surface deterioration is just starting, you can significantly reduce the scale and scope of expansion with a strengthening concrete sealant that hardens and densifies the concrete to help protect against further damage.  Once concrete surface deterioration begins, it is difficult to stop and impossible to reverse.  Accordingly, it is very important to apply a commercial grade lithium silicate strengthening sealer before deterioration begins or at the first sign of deterioration.  Seal your concrete driveway before deterioration begins or gets worse.  There are different types of concrete sealants and not all are created equal.  Lithium silicate concrete hardeners and densifiers with solids contents over 20% are the best penetrating mineral based sealants.  Sodium and Potassium silicates are no longer used in commercial applications because the lithium silicates are better.  Lithium will not effervesce or contribute to Alkali Silica Reaction (ASR) like sodium or potassium can.  See the Why We Use Lithium article for greater detail.  Sealwize is the only concrete cleaning and sealing contractor in Kansas City that offers a hybrid lithium silicate silane siloxane commercial grade sealant that strengthens, hardens, and densifies concrete but also contains a water repelling salt barrier that neutralizes chloride ions in deicing salts.  Sealwize also offers both types of sealants separately if desired for budget or other reasons.  The least expensive option is a penetrating silane siloxane water repellent and salt guard application.  However, this type of sealant will not permanently strengthen concrete and should be reapplied every five years.  Sealwize has concrete cleaning and sealing options for every type of concrete flatwork, whether residential concrete driveways, or commercial projects such as storefronts, drivethrus, parking garages, sidewalks or otherwise.  Call us today to request an estimate.  In Johnson County, KS and the cities of Overland Park, Leawood, Prairie Village, and Mission call 913-575-1469.  In Shawnee, Lenexa, Olathe, and Gardner call 913-322-0091.  And in Jackson County, MO and the cities of Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs, and Raymore call 816-679-9099.  And in Platte, Clay, or Ray counties in the Northland call 816-935-9851.  Sealwize is the largest sealing contractor in with five teams.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Concrete Scaling

Concrete Scaling

Why Seal Your Driveway?

Monday, August 31st, 2009

While concrete is one of the most useful building materials used today, it is vulnerable and should be protected. Concrete sealants can increase the strength, longevity and aesthetic properties of your driveway for years to come.

 

The main weakness of concrete lies in the fact that it is porous, similar to a sponge. It absorbs liquids in small amounts on the surface that can cause damage in a number of ways. If it is a solvent (like maybe acid or deicer) it can rapidly wear away the concrete and cause pitting or surface deterioration, while also compromising the structural integrity of the entire substrate.

 

Water also causes an issue. When water freezes, the molecules expand and push against the walls of the microscopic pores. As a result, micro cracks can form and begin to expand and spread across the surface of the concrete. These micro cracks can continue to expand and become visible surface cracks that will be unsightly and weaken your concrete.

 

There are many different types of sealants so it is important to choose wisely. Generally speaking, most experts recommend avoiding short service life petroleum-based sealants that create a film on the surface and need to be reapplied often. Instead, Lithium-based deep penetrating sealers offer the best long-term protection.

 

Properly sealing concrete when it is still undamaged is critical for maintaining a healthy, unblemished driveway. This enhances the value and appearance of your property.

 

It is wizer to protect it now than replace it later!

 

Sealwize of Kansas City offers professional concrete sealing with the best penetrating commercial contractor grade nanotechnology sealant available. It strengthens concrete, repels water, and contains a salt barrier. A 30-year manufacturer’s warranty is available for undamaged concrete.

 

Four teams service the entire nine county metro area, including Kansas City, Overland Park, Leawood, Lee’s Summit, Prairie Village, Mission, Shawnee, Lenexa, Olathe, and the Northland.

 

CALL TODAY!!     913.575.1469

***ALERT – SEAL YOUR DRIVEWAY – ALERT***

Saturday, August 29th, 2009

Concrete driveways deteriorate when unprotected.  The Kansas City freeze-thaw cycles damage concrete.  And if you use ice melt, you are asking for trouble.  Seal your driveway and you won’t have to worry about blemished concrete.  Keep your driveway in good condition and seal it before it develops damage.  Heed the warning.  SEAL YOUR DRIVEWAY!

SealYourDriveway

Why Sealwize Uses Lithium-Silicate Concrete Densifiers

Monday, June 29th, 2009

Lithium silicates are widely recognized as the best treatment for expanding the service life of concrete by improving its durability.  And although lithium silicates are primarily used in commercial and industrial applications (warehouse floors), they are now increasingly being used in residential applications (driveways) to provide long-term protection against surface deterioration and water penetration.  But the differences between lithium silicates and sodium or potassium silicates can be confusing and difficult to understand.  Therefore, to simplify the research process for potential clients, Sealwize would like to explain why we have discontinued use of potassium silicate based products in favor of lithium silicate based products: superior performance

 

1. Lithium is Non-Expansive:
Sodium and potassium silicates can form an expansive alkali-silica gel in concrete that absorbs moisture and expands, and then dries out and contracts.  This is why even properly cured concrete can sometimes develop crazing or map cracking after the application of sodium and potassium products. The reaction of lithium in concrete is non-expansive and therefore will not contribute to crazing, map cracking, or Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR).

 

2. Less Water Solubility:
Lithium silicates do not absorb water as is the case with most sodium and potassium based products. The resulting structure is more water resistant with easier maintenance.

 

3. Deeper Penetration:
Lithium ions are smaller than sodium and potassium ions so they penetrate deeper into the concrete substrate.  Deeper penetration will ensure better performance.

 

4. More Even Reactivity:
Lithium reacts more evenly throughout the concrete. Sodium and potassium have a tendency to react more violently and unevenly sometimes leaving clumps of reacted and un-reacted calcium scattered throughout and across the surface.  The result is a more even application without noticeable residue.

 

5. Will Not Effloresce:
The potential of silicates to form efflorescence is highest with sodium, lower with potassium, and lowest with lithium.  Efflorescence is a white crystal powder that can appear on the surface of concrete when temperatures are low and moisture content is high. 

 

More detailed information on Lithium Silicate Densifiers is available at Concrete Construction Magazine. 

 

 Sealwize is the only full service concrete sealing contractor offering commercial grade lithium silicate products in Kansas City.  Know the differences so you can make wize choices!