Adheseal Showerseal Clear Penetrative Sealer

Frequently Asked Questions About Adheseal Showerseal

Applications Where Adheseal Showerseal Excels:

• Remediating Leaking Showers & Wet Areas: Its primary superpower! Effectively seals porous grout and tile beds to stop water seepage without the cost and mess of removing tiles. Ideal for bathrooms and laundries across Australian homes and commercial properties.
• Protecting External Masonry Walls: Provides an invisible shield for brick, block, render, and FC sheeting against wind-driven rain and moisture absorption, reducing issues like efflorescence and internal damp, common in varied Australian climates from coastal to inland.
• Sealing Porous Pavers & Concrete Paths/Driveways: Helps unsealed, porous concrete and pavers resist water ingress, staining (from organic matter or oil if cleaned quickly), and freeze-thaw damage, extending their life and appearance.
• Treating Sandstone & Other Porous Natural Stone: Preserves the natural beauty of porous stone features, walls, and paving by making them water repellent, thus reducing weathering, biological growth, and salt damage. (Always test appearance first).
• Reducing Efflorescence on New & Existing Masonry: By minimising water entry into the substrate, it significantly cuts down on the unsightly white salt deposits that can mar the look of brickwork and concrete.
• Pre-treatment for Increased Durability: Applying to new, porous building materials (once cured) provides foundational protection against moisture-related problems for years to come.

Top Benefits of Using Adheseal Showerseal on Your Projects:

• Massive Cost & Time Savings on Shower Repairs: Avoids the huge expense and project delays associated with stripping and re-tiling leaking showers. This is a game-changer for remedial work, delighting clients and boosting your profitability.
• Invisible, Long-Lasting Protection: Its deep-penetrating siloxane/silane formulation works from within the substrate, offering durable water repellency without altering the original surface appearance – preserving aesthetics while delivering robust performance.
• Enhanced Durability & Reduced Maintenance: By protecting porous materials from water damage, efflorescence, and mould/algae, it extends their lifespan and keeps them looking good with less cleaning and fewer call-backs for moisture-related issues.
• Versatility Across Common Australian Building Substrates: Provides a reliable water-repellent solution for a wide range of porous materials including grout, concrete, brick, stone, render, and FC sheeting, reducing the need for multiple specialised products.
• Allows Substrates to 'Breathe': While blocking liquid water, it permits water vapour to escape, preventing trapped moisture problems that can lead to spalling, decay, or blistering of other coatings – crucial for building health.
• Compatible with New Alkaline Masonry: Its high pH tolerance means you can protect new concrete, renders, and grouts sooner (once cured), integrating protection early in the construction or renovation process.
• Easy Application for Professionals: Straightforward application by brush, roller, or spray, with rapid drying times that help keep your projects on schedule and minimise disruption for clients.

Step-by-Step Application Guide for Adheseal Showerseal:

1. Preparation is Paramount:
   • Ensure surfaces are structurally sound, stable, completely dry, and meticulously clean.
   • Remove all dust, dirt, oil, grease, soap scum, loose/flaking material, efflorescence, old sealers, and especially any silicone.
   • For showers: Do not use for 48 hours prior to allow complete drying. Replace any cracked/loose grout and let it fully cure.
   • For concrete: Must be cured for a minimum of 28 days. Remove any curing compounds or laitance.
   • Protect adjacent non-porous surfaces (e.g., glazed tiles, glass, polished metal) with masking, and wipe off any spills or overspray immediately with a clean cloth and mineral turpentine.
   • Ensure good ventilation, especially in enclosed spaces. Open windows/doors, use fans. Consider Australian climate: avoid application in extreme heat, direct sun, or if rain is imminent.
2. Tools & Safety Setup:
   • Choose your application tool: good quality brush (solvent resistant), roller (solvent resistant nap), or low-pressure garden-type sprayer.
   • Wear appropriate PPE: chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses/goggles, and a respirator with organic vapour cartridges (AS/NZS 1715/1716 compliant).
3. Application Technique:
   • Do NOT dilute Adheseal Showerseal. Use as supplied.
   • Apply evenly and generously to saturate the surface.
     • Showers/Grout: Focus on thoroughly wetting grout lines. Apply 2-3 soaking coats. Subsequent coats can be applied once the previous coat has absorbed and the surface no longer looks wet (typically 15-60 minutes depending on porosity and conditions, or as per TDS touch-dry times for distinct coats).
     • Walls: Start at the top and work downwards, applying enough product to create a visible, even rundown of about 15-20cm. This ensures saturation.
     • Flat Areas (Pavers, Concrete): Apply evenly to achieve a consistent wet look, ensuring no pooling.
   • Work in manageable sections to maintain a wet edge where necessary and to manage wiping of excess from non-porous areas.
4. Wiping Excess & Multiple Coats:
   • On surfaces with mixed porosity (e.g., tiled areas with glazed tiles and porous grout), wipe any excess Showerseal from the non-porous tile surfaces with a clean, lint-free cloth BEFORE it dries (typically within 5-15 minutes). Dried residue on glazed surfaces can be difficult to remove.
   • For very porous substrates, a second or even third coat is often beneficial and recommended (especially for showers). This ensures complete saturation and formation of an effective hydrophobic barrier. Check TDS for re-coat window (e.g. wet-on-wet or when touch dry).
5. Clean-Up:
   • Clean tools immediately after use with mineral turpentine if they are to be reused (many applicators discard brushes/rollers after use with solvent products).
   • Wipe up spills promptly.
   • For skin contact, use Adheseal Hand Wipes or wash thoroughly with soap and water. Avoid prolonged skin contact.
6. Curing Process:
   • Allow Adheseal Showerseal to cure fully. Touch dry in 2-4 hours, set in 4-8 hours (at 25°C/50%RH).
   • Protect treated areas from rain, moisture, and traffic until fully cured.
   • For showers, allow a minimum of 24-48 hours cure time (longer in cold/damp conditions) before returning the shower to service. Ventilate well during this period.
   • If re-applying silicone to shower corners, wait until Showerseal is fully cured.
7. Test Area First! Always apply to a small, inconspicuous test area first to check for desired absorption, appearance, and effectiveness before committing to the entire job. This is the best way to ensure suitability for your specific substrate.

Important Limitations & Safety When Using Adheseal Showerseal:

Product Limitations:

• Not for Active Cracks or Voids: Adheseal Showerseal is a penetrating sealer, not a crack filler or bridging membrane. It will not seal active (moving) cracks or fill gaps and voids. These must be repaired with appropriate fillers or membranes *before* applying Showerseal.
• Requires Porous Surfaces: It is only effective on absorbent, porous materials. It will not penetrate or adhere to non-porous surfaces like glazed tiles (excess must be wiped off), dense stone, glass, metals, or most existing film-forming sealers/paints.
• Surface Appearance: While designed to dry clear, it may slightly darken some very porous substrates, similar to a 'wet look'. Always test on an inconspicuous area first to ensure the final appearance is acceptable.
• Low Density / Friable Surfaces: May not achieve an adequate build-up or form an effective water barrier on extremely low-density, very sandy, or friable (crumbly) surfaces. Test patches are critical on such materials.
• Not for Hydrostatic Pressure: While excellent for resisting water penetration from rain or showers, it's not designed for negative hydrostatic pressure situations (e.g., retaining walls with significant water build-up behind them) or continuous underwater immersion.
• Chemical Resistance: Primarily designed for water repellency. For specific chemical resistance requirements, consult Adheseal.

Safety First – Protecting Yourself and Your Workspace:

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Always wear safety glasses with side shields (AS/NZS 1337.1), chemical-resistant gloves (e.g., nitrile, neoprene; AS/NZS 2161), and overalls or long-sleeved clothing to prevent skin contact. Due to solvent content, a respirator fitted with organic vapour cartridges (meeting AS/NZS 1715 and AS/NZS 1716) is essential when working in enclosed spaces (like showers), poorly ventilated areas, or when spraying.
• Ventilation: Ensure EXCELLENT ventilation. This is a solvent-based product (Stoddard Solvent, Xylene, Trimethylbenzene). Use only outdoors or in areas with robust airflow (open windows and doors, use exhaust fans). Avoid accumulation of vapours. Refer to SDS for occupational exposure limits.
• Flammable Liquid (Class 3): Keep away from all sources of ignition – heat, sparks, open flames, pilot lights, and hot surfaces. No smoking. Use non-sparking tools. Ground and bond containers during transfer. Take precautionary measures against static electricity.
• Safe Handling Practices: Avoid breathing vapours or spray mist. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Do not eat, drink, or smoke while using. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling and before breaks or meals. Launder contaminated clothing separately before re-use.
• First Aid Essentials: (Refer to SDS for full details)
  • IF SWALLOWED: Immediately call a POISON CENTER (Australia: 131 126) or doctor. Do NOT induce vomiting. Give a glass of water to rinse mouth.
  • IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water and soap. Remove contaminated clothing. If skin irritation occurs, get medical advice.
  • IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. Seek immediate medical attention.
  • IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing. Call a POISON CENTER or doctor if you feel unwell.
• Storage & Disposal: Store locked up in a well-ventilated place, away from incompatibles (e.g., oxidising agents) and ignition sources. Keep cool. Dispose of contents/container in accordance with local, state, and federal environmental regulations for flammable/hazardous wastes.
• Read the SDS: Always read and understand the full Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for Adheseal Showerseal before use for comprehensive safety, handling, and emergency information.

Adheseal Showerseal Adhesion Profile – Compatible Substrates:

• Tiled Showers & Wet Areas (Grout & Tile Bed): Designed primarily for porous cementitious grout lines and to penetrate the underlying screed/bed via the grout. Ensure grout is clean, dry, and sound. Essential to remove all old silicone first.
• External Tiled Areas (Porous Grout & Tiles): Ideal for balconies and terraces with porous tiles and grout. Ensure good drainage and dry conditions for application.
• Concrete (Cured): Excellent for unsealed, porous concrete. Ensure concrete is fully cured (min. 28 days) and free of curing compounds, existing sealers, oil, or laitance. Prime candidates are paths, driveways (unsealed), and precast panels.
• Masonry (Brick, Block, Stone): Highly effective on most types of porous brickwork, concrete blocks, and natural stone (e.g., sandstone, limestone - test first for appearance). Reduces water uptake and efflorescence.
• Render (Cement-Based): Suitable for unpainted, porous cement-based renders once fully cured. Protects against driven rain and damp.
• FC Sheeting (Fibre Cement): Can be used to reduce water absorption on unsealed/unpainted FC sheeting in external applications.
• Porous Pavers: Good for unsealed clay or concrete pavers. Helps resist staining and water damage. Test appearance on a single paver first.
• Painted Surfaces (Porous Types - Test Required): May be suitable for some porous mineral-based paints or to protect aged, slightly porous painted surfaces. However, Showerseal is designed to penetrate the substrate. If applying to a painted surface, a test patch is absolutely essential to ensure compatibility, adhesion, and desired outcome. Generally not for film-forming acrylic or enamel paints.

Pro Tip: Always conduct a test patch on an inconspicuous area of any substrate before full application to confirm compatibility, absorption, and appearance. Surfaces must be POROUS for Showerseal to be effective.