You’ve been hearing about this single-step cure and penetrating sealer product on the construction sites for a while now, and you’re probably wondering, “Is this stuff cost-effective? Is it easy to use? What if it doesn’t last? Will my project benefit the most from a single-step cure and penetrating sealer product?”
We get it. No one wants to be the guinea pig. That is why we were independent, third-party lab tested before we ever launched PENCURE OTC. PENCURE OTC demonstrated a similar chloride reduction and water absorption reduction rate as a 100% active silane placed on 28-day-old concrete.
This blog will take you through what a one-step, concrete cure and penetrating sealer product is, how it works, when you would want to use a single-step process, and the benefits gained in exploiting this new concrete coating for your specific situation.
What Is a One-Step Cure and Penetrating Sealer Product?
Single-step application cure and penetrating sealer products are blended with an acrylic copolymer plus a clear, penetrating siloxane or silane. These dual-action blends create a clear film on your existing freshly poured concrete that will not yellow under UV radiation. These elements work by simultaneously forming a membrane that retains the moisture in the concrete so it can cure properly, while also layering a silane or siloxane under the acrylic that penetrates the concrete capillaries as the mix water hydrates and evaporates during the curing process. The sealing aspect of these products is what reduces the intrusion of water and salts into the concrete.
These dual-action products deliver a tough, membrane with a low-gloss, satin appearance. They form a film that is resistant to abrasion and common staining materials, preventing the adhesion of cementitious droppings.
Where Can I Apply a One-Step Cure and Penetrating Sealer Product?
Here’s a handy and comprehensive list of areas where you will typically find single-step, dual-action concrete curing and sealing products applications:
For newly poured, fresh broom-finished concrete—we recommend our PENCURE OTC product on
- Driveways
- Parking Lots
- Sidewalks
- Parking Structures (exterior only)
- Any exterior application where proper curing and protection from the penetration of chlorides (salts) is needed
Why Use a Single-Step Cure and Penetrating Sealer Product? It Saves Time AND Money.
The most important two benefits are your savings of time and money. In short, you’re eliminating the 28-day wait between curing the concrete and application of a penetrating sealer, and you’re also eliminating the need to bring your crew back a second time to remove the curing compound and then seal it at the 28-day mark. This drastically reduces your labor costs on the project.
While you cannot put a price on it, there’s also the convenience factor. For example, our PENCURE OTC product shows a significant cost saving over a traditional cure-and-seal product followed by a penetrating sealer, just in material costs, not to mention savings on additional application labor.
You apply these products quickly, and they will dry quickly. Some products boast a 2-3 hour drying time. We tell our customers to restrict foot traffic for at least 4 hours, but we recommend 12 hours for the best outcome. Your results may vary depending on your location’s humidity and temperature. You can expect to achieve chemical resistance within 7 days with most of these dual-action, single-step products.
The hair checking, cracking, dusting, spalling, and other defects you’ll commonly find in improperly cured or uncured concrete is preventable with one-step products. Our PENCURE OTC product is VOC compliant, and most of the competing brands we checked on appear to be, as well.
One-Step Concrete Curing and Penetrating Sealer Benefits at a Glance
- Non-yellowing when exposed to UV radiation
- Appears as a semi-glossy clear liquid
- Most will resist water penetration, grease, oil, salts, deicers, and acids
- Water beading after 24 hours
When You Should NOT Use Single-Step Concrete Curing and Sealing Products
If you are considering using a single-step concrete curing and sealing product, be mindful that while most products are VOC compliant, some districts and states will have more restrictive AIM VOC regulations. Southern California is one example.
These products are not designed for the following applications:
- Asphaltic or painted surfaces
- Surfaces set for coatings or bonded overlays
- Areas around pools or fountains
- Below-grade surfaces
- Decorative concrete
- Interior applications
Additionally, one-step cure and penetrating sealer products will not prevent water penetration through structural cracks, defects, or open joints.
Which Regions Benefits Most from a One-Step Cure and Penetrating Sealer Product?
Regions north of the Mason-Dixon line where the exterior concrete is subject to a freeze, thaw, or de-icing salt will benefit from single-step products like PENCURE OTC to make their concrete more durable. Additionally, coastal regions within five miles of the ocean still get the effects of the salty ocean spray, so these areas will also gain value from products like these that protect and prevent against the erosion from the salt water.
We hope that this article has answered your questions, but if you have further questions about how or when to use one-step concrete cure and penetrating sealer products, please feel free to write or call us.
Win Your Own Limited Edition W. R. MEADOWS Baseball Cap:
Compete in the UNO Power Knowledge Bowl Challenge
Understanding one-step curing and sealing products will give you an advantage over other flatwork contractors who are unfamiliar with the many benefits of these products.
Your mission, if you choose to accept, is to
- Copy this quiz below into an email with your answers
- Send it to contest@wrmeadows.com with the subject line “UNO Power.” You will be entered into our drawing for your very own fashion-forward W. R. MEADOWS-branded baseball cap.
- We are giving this challenge 45 days before we draw the winner, so watch our blog to see if your name appears.
Okay, ready? Copy and paste this below quiz into your email, answer the questions, and fire it off to contest@wrmeadows.com with the phrase “UNO Power” subject line to get entered into our limited-edition baseball cap drawing.
TRUE, OR FALSE?
T or F: You can use W.R. MEADOWS’ PENCURE OTC on EXISTING concrete
T or F: PENCURE OTC has been 3rd-party tested.
T or F: One-step cure and seal products will NOT yellow under UV radiation
T or F: One-step cure and seal products cause the water in your concrete to bead after 24 hours
T or F: Coastal areas and freeze-and-thaw regions are NOT ideal for one-step cure and seal products
If you have any questions about single-step cure-and-seal products, please call us at 1-800-342-5976 and you can speak to one of our consultants directly.