Made aerated concrete waterproof. How to prevent the destruction of blocks from waterlogging

In one of the videos from the manufacturer, which was devoted to the work on laying aerated concrete at negative temperatures and the preservation of the construction for the winter, a terrible slide was shown for me:

Foundation with a step for brickwork or insulation. It accumulates water during autumn rains and snow melts. The lower row of blocks is overmoistened and if it is saturated with moisture more than 70% in volume, destruction occurs over time.

It is clear that this did not happen in one year (autumn-spring period). Aerated concrete has F100 frost resistance (100 cycles) when wet. I also have a similar step. Arriving on the first day of November, I saw that the aerated concrete got wet from the melting snow on this ledge:

Waterproofing has been laid. Wetting occurs only on the front side. The aerated concrete did not have time to get wet, but the color changed at the bottom of the blocks. The fact that this will be so, I have been told by readers in previous articles. Everyone was going to buy a water repellent and treat this place in warm weather. Did not have time. Snow fell earlier this year.

There are inexpensive water-based silicone-based water repellents. Protected the foundation in the first winter like this. Working tool. But what if the aerated concrete has already been saturated with moisture, the temperature fluctuates around zero, and it is wrong to leave it like that in the winter. Reducing the lifespan of the material without providing protection against this wetting is not good.

Because I am familiar with paints and varnishes from work, then I know how to dry the material and protect it from further absorption of moisture. There is such a tool Polyfluid from the manufacturer of paints Alp. The effect after processing it can be seen in the video:

My result is in the second half of the video.

This product is 3 in 1: water repellent, dehumidifier and anti-mildew (fungicide). Polyfluid binds moisture inside the material into a gel and wet aerated concrete will not lose strength, ice will not break its structure. The technology is also used as a shutter against capillary moisture that rises along the wall. I thought that 2 liters should be enough for my perimeter:

Solvent-based product, white spirit. Therefore, you can apply at low temperatures, which is what I need. It looks like a transparent liquid with a slight pink tint.

He covered the masonry of the first row along the perimeter to a height of 10 cm. The above is not necessary, because I will come and clean the snow. This is only as a protection against melting snow in bright sun and in spring. I checked the result the next day:

Above, aerated concrete absorbed moisture, and at the place of processing all the moisture rolled down like water off a duck's back. The video above shows the block wetting process. For this season, I am calm about this place in the masonry. But since it is organic, then the effect may disappear after a few years. We must control. It will be visible in the rain. And do not delay insulation and facade.

The tool is not cheap:

As he said, it would be possible to avoid excessive spending if you purchase a silicone water hydrophobizator in advance and process the blocks in warm weather. Or you can treat this place with a bituminous primer and stick a self-adhesive waterproofing (cut off with a 10 cm strip). TechnoNicol has one. Although it will be comparable funds as spent on Polyfluid.

If anyone has used water repellents or even this Polyfluid product - write in the comments.

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Self-builder blog (c). Photos by the author

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