Sealer for Basement wall (Radon Seal) Or Liquid Rock 500
measureright
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
Anyone have any first or second hand knowledge of a product RadonSeal for Poured Basement Walls. Does it work?
Could there be any long term deleterious effects from the RadonSeal (the chemical) reacting with the cement etc ,, sorry I think of these things since & have a background in Chemistry .
The reason I had a special interest in the RadonSeal is that you can apply it with a common garden sprayer in the fan mode , which makes application behind a studwall especially alot easier than other products.
All comments are welcome 🙂
(*Excellence has its own Reward*)
Replies
Minimal Knowledge
That's what I have.
And here's a pc. of it. It is my understanding that radon gas gets trapped by concrete slabs. While I suppose it could be emitted in wall areas too, it is my understanding that it does not perc/pass through the concrete but seeks out penetrations, open seams, etc to enter. Therefore, this sealer I've heard nothing about is not the biggest (most important) barrier you can employ.
If radon can in fact pass through concrete, your sealer may help. However, you need to seal an penetrations and seams. Common means of mitigation is to put an exhaust (?) pipe through the slab and either passively take it to the outside or mechanically (fan) eliminate it to the exterior. Sump pits are sealed also-with any venting there added to the exhaust to exterior.
Be interesting to hear more on the off gassing through concrete slabs and walls.
Yeah, my understanding is that radon comes through the cracks, not the bulk concrete (unless it was made with radioactive granite like Grand Central Station). Sealing the surface of the concrete will do little good, and most surface-applied sealers will be largely ineffective for cracks.
I don't know about Radon Seal. I use only Hydro-Seal 75 for sealing basements. There is no better product in my opinion.
It is a 2 part epoxy that is applied with rollers and brushes after simple 1 to 1 mixing. No smell or solvents which is great for my workers and customers, and no special tools to apply.
It is easy to mix, easy to apply, and can be used for patching so I don't have to buy other products.
Testing data shows effectiveness to 40PSI in hydro-static pressure testing, and for crack filling I just add Sand mix to the Hydro-Seal 75 to create an epoxy mortar that I skim over all cracks, holes, and where the floor meets the wall. I use the back of a metal spoon to do that area where floors and wall meet for a nice smooth transition. I use a brush and smooth out all patching with another coat of Hydro-Seal 75 is the spots I patched and skimmed. It all dries together and really hides where you patched.
Easily can apply 2 coats in one day without stopping with a 2 man crew. One guy mixing, patching and cutting with a brush and one guy rolling.
Coverages are usually 150 square feet per gallon per coat with 2 coats required.
Hydro-Seal 75 can be sprayed as well and is available with an Anti Mold Biocide. Also works well over damp surfaces. We wash everything with TSP and neutralize with clear water right before 1st coat application. We do all wall work before starting the floor. This way we can cleanup floor again before coating floor.
Hydro-Seal 75 is manufactured in Rhode Island.