WATERPROOFING SEALANT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Welcome to the world's finest water sealant product. This page is designed to answer the most frequently asked questions about Lifetime™ Water Sealant.
- What is Silicone Rubber?
- Does a porous substrate require any preparation before applying Lifetime™ ?
- How many coats should I apply?
- What equipment should I use to apply Lifetime™?
- Does Lifetime™ comply with all regulations?
- What is the UV or reflective factor of Lifetime™?
- Can Lifetime™ be applied on steel, plastic, epoxy, or epoxy-like surfaces?
- Is Lifetime™ a fire retardant product?
- Is Lifetime™ a curing agent for new concrete?
- How long should I wait before applying Lifetime™ to new concrete?
- What other qualities separate Lifetime™ from its competitors?
- Can Lifetime™ be used below grade on foundations that have contact with soil?
- Will Lifetime™ make the surface slicker?
- Does Lifetime™ make cleaning your surface easier?
- Are there maintenance requirements to assure the longevity effectiveness of Lifetime™?
- Will Lifetime™ affect the color of the substrate ? Will it blotch it?
- Is there a reaction to adhesives which may be used in conjunction with Lifetime™?
- What are ideal surfaces on which Lifetime™ should be applied?
- Is Lifetime™ a water repellent?
- In what temperature range can Lifetime™ be applied?
- What is the reaction of salt on Lifetime™?
1) What is Silicone Rubber?
Silicone Rubber is derived from inorganic silica (sand). Silicones were developed for commercial use during World War II to meet military applications requiring extreme temperature resistance. Over the years, numerous advances have been made such as improving tensile strength, elongation and tear resistance. Therefore, in addition to its broad temperature resistant properties, silicone rubber now possesses physical values superior to a number of other synthetic polymers.
Silicone functions reliably under many conditions that cause organic elastomers to fall or deteriorate prematurely. Chemically, silicones are quite different from other rubber-like materials and it is this difference that give silicone its unique combination of properties. Organic polymers are made up of a backbone of carbon to carbon atoms. These are deteriorated easily when subjected to elevated temperatures and the effects of ozone.
By contrast, silicone rubber is made up of a backbone of silicone and oxygen atoms. This unique linkage is the same as that found in other high temperature materials such as quartz and glass. As a result, silicone rubber provides outstanding high and low temperature resistant properties as well as general inertness toward many deteriorating effects such as ozone, corona, weathering, ultraviolet rays, acids, bases, salts, oils, fuels, food products, and fluids.
Lifetime™ employs the unique process of Room Temperature Vulcanization (RTV) to liquefy the silicone rubber that is found in Lifetime™ Sealant. The silicone base of Lifetime™ means the product provides the superior physical values found in silicone rubber.
2) Does a porous substrate require any preparation before applying Lifetime™?
Yes. Any substrate should be thoroughly cleaned, preferably with a hot commercial grade chemical or detergent, power wash Let substrate dry thoroughly (maybe 3 - 5 days in fair weather) then apply Lifetime™ according to application guidelines.
Any prior sealer application must be removed from the substrate by using the above process.
3) How many coats should I apply?
One coat. Apply Lifetime™ in a single, liberal, saturating application so that the surface remains wet for a few seconds before penetrating, but not puddled. It is best to cover a small section of several square feet, move to a second and third section, and then go back to section one to complete penetration.
4) What equipment should I use to apply Lifetime™?
Use compressed air tank, airless sprayer not to exceed 500 PSI, brush, roller, or paint pad. Lifetime™ can be poured on horizontal surfaces and then spread with a push broom. See the applcation methods page for more informatrion.
5) Does Lifetime™ comply with all regulations?
6) What is the UV or reflective factor of Lifetime™?
7) Can Lifetime™ be applied on steel, plastic, epoxy, or epoxy-like surfaces?
No. Lifetime™ is a penetrating sealer and requires a porous surface to permit penetration to be effective.
8) Is Lifetime™ a fire retardant product?
It is not rated as a fire retardant. However, Lifetime™ fills the void and hairline cracks of a surface and reduces the amount of oxygen available to that surface. Lifetime™ is stable to 400° F. and at that point starts to break down.
9) Is Lifetime™ a curing agent for new concrete?
Yes. A perm rate greater than 7 allows the moisture vapor to escape more slowly than normal and prevents liquid from entering the surface. This results in a slower cure and a harder concrete. NOTE: If Lifetime™ is used as a curing agent, curing application would be nearly immediately after concrete pouring, and then applied less than full sealant strength. If there are plans to subsequently seal the concrete, we recommend several applications of water be used as the curing agent, so that Lifetime™ or another curing agent such as paraffin does not have to be removed prior to sealing with Lifetime™ in order to get proper penetration. Also, a clear water rinse is recommended a minimum of 3 - 5 days prior to sealing, to remove any loose particles and debris.
10) How long should I wait before applying Lifetime™ to new concrete?
Wait until the surface appears to be cured, usually a minimum of seven days and the concrete has not had any water applied to it for the past 3 - 5 days.
11) What other qualities separate Lifetime™ from its competitors?
• Lifetime™ has an elasticity greater than 400%. Therefore, it withstands normal vibrations and minor seismic shakes, thereby bonding the concrete and minimizing damage.
• Lifetime™ has been through a series of tests, such as chloride ionization, sulfuric acid freeze / thaw (500+ cycles) and there has been no change in its structure or effectiveness as a high quality sealant.
• Lifetime™ provides an even application. This is extremely rare in any sealant, and is due to control of molecular migration.
• Lifetime™ Waterproofing Sealant is a proprietary technology of Lifetime™ Sealant Products, Inc., with Patent No. 5,162,407 having been approved May 22, 1992, and issued November 10,1992
12) Can Lifetime™ be used below grade on foundations that have contact with soil?
13) Will Lifetime™ make the surface slicker?
Negligibly so for a short period on concrete. Horizontal wood surfaces are likely to be slick for several weeks following application.
14) Does Lifetime™ make cleaning your surface easier?
Definitely. Foreign matter (ice, oil, food, etc.) is easier to remove from the sealed surface because Lifetime™ has prevented the foreign matter from penetrating the surface. Therefore it weakens the bond of the foreign matter to the sealed surface.
15) Are there maintenance requirements to assure the longevity effectiveness of Lifetime™?
Substrates sealed with Lifetime™, especially horizontal surfaces, should undergo an annual cold water power washing. This will restore the newer appearance and remove air pollutants, dirt, grease, etc., which if allowed to remain will eventually grind into both concrete and wood and reduce the effectiveness of Lifetime™.
16) Will Lifetime™ affect the color of the substrate ? Will it blotch it?
17) Is there a reaction to adhesives which may be used in conjunction with Lifetime™?
Maybe. For unusual applications, it is recommended that an inconspicuous test patch be used for trial, or contact Coatings International for list of compatible products.
18) What are ideal surfaces on which Lifetime™ should be applied?
Concrete, wood, stucco, brick, canvas, block, pressure treated lumber, wood shingles, aggregate stone, tile, grout; any recipient material that allows the penetration of water. Lifetime™ should NOT be applied to asphalt.
19) Is Lifetime™ a water repellent ?
It's much better. Lifetime™ is a waterproofing system. It is impervious to water and prevents permeation of water.
20) In what temperature range can Lifetime™ be applied?
At any temperature above the dew point. Generally, Lifetime™ is applied from -20°F to +110°F. However, if applied below freezing, be assured the substrate does not contain any frozen elements such as ice or frost.
21) What is the reaction of salt on Lifetime™?
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This page was last modified January 20, 2004 01:51PM
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