| I have developed a healthy respect for the | | | | answer it as easily as possible. Seal all your |
| amount of damage sun and water can do to | | | | masonry work especially, when it is new. By |
| building materials over a short period of time. | | | | applying sealer to new masonry you in effect |
| Even the great Pyramids constructed of solid, | | | | prolong the state of newness. It will also increase |
| quarried stone have fallen prey to the constant | | | | the time between applications to anywhere from |
| barrage of wind, rain and ultra-violet light. | | | | 5 - 10 years, give or take and depending on the |
| So if you want to protect the masonry on your | | | | quality of the sealer used. |
| home or business and shield yourself from the | | | | Older masonry should be sealer at least every 5 |
| expensive damage these natural forces can | | | | years after all repairs have been undertaken to |
| cause, read these tips. They will help you to | | | | address any damage or leak issues. |
| decide if sealing your masonry is a prudent choice. | | | | What type of sealer should I apply? - Honestly, |
| What is a sealer? - Many contractors associate | | | | there are so many new products entering the |
| the term water proofing with the term water | | | | market today it will make your head spin. I tend |
| sealer which can be a bit deceptive. | | | | to shy away from new products anymore |
| Waterproofing requires a product that produces | | | | because the hype has become so bad and the |
| an impenetrable membrane to keep water out, | | | | reliability of the sales information so poor. So I use |
| almost like a plastic swimming pool liner keeps the | | | | a silane/siloxane combination that has given me |
| water in the pool. | | | | excellent results for many years. |
| Water sealer on the other hand, is generally a | | | | I'm not really sure any company could convince |
| breathable product that absorbs into the pores of | | | | me to change unless the quality of the product |
| the masonry material and helps to deflect wind | | | | was the same for substantially less money or a |
| driven rain from entering into the wall in large | | | | new product had been developed with proven |
| quantities. | | | | long term durability. I don't see either one of |
| Do you need to have your masonry sealed? - | | | | those things happening in the near future. |
| This is a question with which many people will | | | | I would never buy a product like this from one of |
| disagree. What I can tell you from 35 years of | | | | the box stores. Their business model is to sell |
| field experience is this; sealers work. I believe | | | | cheap so they have to make it cheap. There may |
| they are cheap insurance when you consider the | | | | be some products that you can buy at these |
| cost of masonry repair by a knowledgeable | | | | stores that will work, if you really understand |
| company. | | | | what you are buying and know the application but |
| How do I know if I need sealer on my bricks? - | | | | with masonry sealers, I rely on trusted, old reliable |
| This is a very good question and I will attempt to | | | | brands. |