Criteria for the Selection of Penetrating Hydrophobic Sealers Used in the Repair of Concrete Parking Decks

Deterioration of reinforced concrete building decks has developed into a multimillion dollar problem. Penetrating hydrophobic sealers and membrane coatings are available that seal the concrete surfaces and can slow or prevent deterioration. Field and laboratory tests can be used to determine whether or not application of hydrophobic sealers may be effective in limiting leakage and deterioration in trafficked concrete building decks, or if a membrane coating system is required. A typical program for this determination is discussed.