Multi-Surface Waterproofer

This waterproofer chemical is great for all around house items that need water resistance. I've used some on fences that need improved waterproofing and some other outdoor items and so far it's working great. The material is easy to apply and dries pretty quickly, and doesn't change the appearance too much. Overall I think this is a great value considering the price and amount of material.

I slapped this INSL-X sealer on my small concrete patio and brick walkway over the past few weeks, putting it through some rain, light humidity, and foot traffic. I wanted a no film solution that protected these surfaces. The specs looked clean: penetrating siloxane, water cleanup, no sheen. The application was easy enough: I used a pump sprayer, saturated the surface, wiped puddles, and waited. Colorwise, I didn’t see much change—the surfaces looked the same, just feel a little “drier” to the touch. That matches what INSL-X advertises—a seal and protection, without changing visual appearance or texture. Water still beads nicely after a downpour. On sloped surfaces, the runoff was clean and beads formed as expected. On my flat pavers, though, some water either pooled or slowly soaked in. In short, my results seem better on vertical and sloped surfaces than on the flat ones. Unfortunately there appears to be some coverage fatigue when compared to similar sealers I've used in the past. Something else worth noting is that on the more porous edges of pavers, I had to double or triple apply to get the results I was happy with. The first coat just vanished, leaving me wondering if I had “used up” the pores. I suspect very porous materials will demand at least two coats to get lasting performance. This is important to keep in mind when estimating the amount of sealer that is needed and the amount of time someone is willing to spend using this product. The coverage isn't awful, it just isn't all that great either. Durability is the big question: these types of sealers (Eco Advance, Rainguard) often see decline in bead strength after a year or two on horizontal surfaces. That being said I’m not expecting this to remain bulletproof forever. If it survives two seasons on a busy patio, the product justifies the purchase. Prep matters massively. I power-washed, cleaned up the algae, let everything dry fully, and masked edges. I strongly suspect that any missed dirt or moisture will sabotage the seal. To those uninitiated to using these types of sealers, the prep matters at least as much or more than the application itself. Taking my time to set this up before application has surely saved me a headache or two. On usability, cleanup was a breeze with soap and water. There wasn't a super strong odor, which was nice. I liked that it didn’t turn the surface glossy or slippery. To me, those are a major plus—no film means no slippery surfaces. Will I rebuy this again? Possibly. At this point, I’d give it 4 out of 5 stars. It’s a solid performer for what it is—but with reasonable caveats about exposure, the amount of traffic, and how porous the application surface is. While it's only been a few weeks, given how consistent the product is so far, I expect it to last a decent amount of time—not an extended amount of time. I would suggest that if you buy this product, make sure you do a small patch test before application, do not skip prep, expect to likely recoat sooner than you might with high quality sealers, and view it as a basic shield—not a miracle sealer. All in all, this sealer is decent for the price.

Slightly cheaper than others and works just as well.

This is exactly what it says it is, and it performs like they say. First off, PREP IS KEY! Do the power wash and dry out and similar prior to application. For very porous material like old brick edge, several coats will be needed. That said, it didn't show up so is invisible as they say, and it sealed really well with water beading off and snow not showing damp spots after being brushed off. It doesn't go on thick, nor show thickness, which is great. Time will tell on durability, but it is working well for now!

This waterproofer is clearly made for heavier outdoor applications, and it applies easily with good coverage. I used it on our wood deck to help repel water where the boards get the most direct exposure, and it created a nice protective layer without changing the look of the wood. I used a chemical sprayer to apply this. I have tested it next to untreated area and do see water floating on the surface instead of absorbing to spread out into the surface. I also applied it to the lower LP SmartSide siding on the north-facing wall, the area that stays moist longer, especially where there’s no gutter, water splashes to the foundation of the house. The coating spray on smoothly and gives some extra peace of mind in those higher-moisture spots. I just realized that this is a product by Benjamin Moore which is a reputable paint brand. So some peace of mind if you wonder if this is some random unknown brand on Amazon.

I usually use Olympic Waterguard for waterproofing brick and concrete, but ended up with Insul-X this time. Apparently, Insul-X is made by Benjamin Moore. I don't use their brand often, but it's pretty well known. For my purposes, I don't really see any notable advantages or disadvantages of the Insul-X compared to the Waterguard I usually use. But I did note that Insul-X has a silicone compound in it, which should probably make it equal or better in the long term, even though it's not immediately apparent. It applies like any other waterproofing; brush it on and let it soak in. Super easy to do, and this type of stuff never leaves marks like if you were using a urethane sealant or paint. Overall, it works well, costs a bit more than products like Olympic Waterguard, but may potentially be better due to the silicon additives.

I just recently had to replace a rotted door sill on an exterior door of my house and the damage was relatively extensive, extending all the way down to the joists under the floor. After letting everything dry thoroughly and before I closed it back up, I coated all the exposed surfaces with this waterproofer per the instructions and then rebuild the door sill on top of it. Hopefully at this point I no longer have any water ingress issues like I did before, but even in the event of a really heavy rain and some moisture makes it past the flashing and door sill, this will protect the wood underneath so I don't end up with another issue of rotted wood! It's maybe a bit expensive but when compared to having to do structural work on the house (for a SECOND time) it becomes an easy decision!