A common best practice to make new or existing concrete structures last longer is to periodically apply a concrete sealer. This is especially so for concrete exposed to freeze-thaw cycles. Under these conditions, water may penetrate into concrete pores, freeze, expand and cause concrete cracking. These cracks make it easier for corrosives to enter and attack embedded rebar, starting a whole new cycle of expansion, cracking, and concrete deterioration. A silane sealer can help slow this process.
An even more powerful option—with no extra labor required—is to apply a Cortec® MCI® concrete sealer enhanced with migrating corrosion inhibitors. When applied, MCI water repellents create a hydrophobic layer at the concrete surface to prevent intrusion of chlorides and carbonation and protect concrete from the ingress of wind-driven rain. At the same time, MCI molecules penetrate through the concrete pore structure to form a corrosion-inhibiting molecular layer on the surface of embedded metal reinforcement. This dual protection is convenient to achieve by just applying one product. Cortec offers several versions of MCI water repellents that contractors can select based on varying needs for each specific project.