Testing & Technical

A water repellent’s performance can and should be evaluated prior to specification or product selection. There are standardized tests that can be conducted in laboratory and field environments to accomplish this.

Common lab tests

ASTM E-96 which measures the water vapor permeability of a substrate.

ASTM E514 which measures the water penetration and leakage through masonry surfaces.

Common field tests

Field testing is the most reliable way to measure performance under actual project conditions.

RILEM II.4. During the test, a tube is affixed to the surface with putty. The tube is then filled with water to simulate wind-driven rain speeds up to 98 mph. Performance is considered acceptable when water absorption is reduced by 80% or more.

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ASTM C1601. Similar to RILEM II.4, this test is designed to measure water absorption through masonry surfaces and evaluate the ability of water repellents to reduce that absorption rate. During the test a plexiglass chamber is affixed to the test area and made both water and airtight. Water is then pumped through a water bar located at the top of the chamber with the concept being to create a sheet film of water over the entire face of the test area for a four hour period. The volume of water is measured and the water pressure is increased at intervals throughout the test period. At the end of the test the water is drained from the chamber and measured. The water that was pumped into the chamber that doesn’t come out penetrated through the surface.

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Test Data

Test	Purpose	Laboratory	Results
AASHTO T-259	Measure the resistance of concrete treated with PROFESSIONAL® Water Sealant to Chloride Ion Penetration	United States Testing Company, Inc. Tulsa Division	Untreated concrete had 15 times the Chloride Ion content than concrete treated with PROFESSIONAL® Water Sealant
ASTM 793-75	Measure the effects of accelerated weathering on Silicone Rubber	General Electric Company	After a total of 4000 hours, the silicone rubber showed no signs of deterioration. It was estimated that 4000 hours of accelerated weathering is equivalent to 30 years of actual weathering in the field.
ASTM D751-95	Measure the effects of hydrostatic pressure on PROFESSIONAL® Water Sealant	GEOSCIENCE LTD	PROFESSIONAL® Water Sealant withstood up to 2.8 atmospheres of hydrostatic pressure before compromise
ASTM E-303	Measure surface frictional properties of concrete treated with PROFESSIONAL® Water Sealant	United States Testing Company, Inc. Tulsa Division	No significant change was noted in the frictional properties of concrete after treatment with PROFESSIONAL® Water Sealant
ASTM E-514	Measure the water penetration and leakage through masonry surfaces treated with PROFESSIONAL® Water Sealant	Olympic Scientific, Inc.	Masonry surfaces treated with PROFESSIONAL® Water Sealant allowed no water penetration
ASTM E-514-90	Measure the water penetration and leakage through carib brick and S mortar treated with PROFESSIONAL® Water Sealant	Olympic Scientific, Inc.	Carib brick and S mortar treated with PROFESSIONAL® Water Sealant allowed no water penetration
ASTM E-96	Measure the water vapor permeability of brick treated with PROFESSIONAL® Water Sealant	GEOSCIENCE LTD	Brick samples treated with PROFESSIONAL® Water Sealant retained 86% of their water vapor permeability capabilities
ASTM E-96 Procedure B	Measure the permeability of PROFESSIONAL® Water Sealant	General Testing Laboratories, Inc.	The permeance of PROFESSIONAL® Water Sealant Ranges between 10 and 14 perms
N/A	Measure the changes in gas permeability and water transmission of concrete treated with PROFESSIONAL® Water Sealant	United States Testing Company, Inc. Tulsa Division	Concrete treated with PROFESSIONAL® Water Sealant was able to “breath” or pass water vapor through the sealant. Water absorption of untreated concrete was 91.7% greater than that of concrete treated with PROFESSIONAL® Water Sealant