More Than Just a Sealer
Guard Hardener WO is more than just a sealer. Not only does it produce exceptional water and oil repellency like other products in the ProtectGuard range. It also hardens and consolidates materials providing increased protection against chemical attack and physical abrasion.
This combination of attributes makes it an ideal treatment for all porous materials that are exposed to harsh conditions. It is perfect for protecting paving around swimming pools, restoring and protecting old stone monuments and for fixing materials that already have visible signs of erosion.
Crystallising, Consolidating and Hardening Treatment
Guard Hardener WO consolidates inorganic, porous, friable materials. It is ideal for restoring old monuments, fountains, facades, statues or any stone or masonry that is showing signs of physical erosion.
Porous materials are susceptible to deterioration from a number of naturally occurring processes:
- Freeze/thaw cycles,
- Etching and attack from acid rain,
- Damage due to salts (crystallisation, hydration and hygroscopy),
- Microcracking from thermal expansion and contraction of the material,
- Modification of the structure of limestone carbonate under the action of CO2-containing water,
- Colonisation of pore structures by organisms (algae, moss, lichen etc.),
- Damage from aggressive cleaning and/or graffiti removal chemicals
If left unchecked, degradation will not only continue, but will quickly accelerate. This is because every crack, crevice, and defect creates an opening where these processes can begin to attack deeper and deeper into the substrate.
Guard Hardener WO penetrates deep into the substrate, replaces lost minerals and rebuilds the mineral crystalline structures destroyed by these processes. This restores the mechanical properties of the material, so that structurally the material is as good as new (or even better).
A Water and Oil Repellent Sealer
Guard Hardener WO also has exceptional water and oil repellent properties. These provide lasting protection for all porous materials against penetration by water, oil and stains of all kinds. By actively repelling liquids and stains Guard Hardener WO is able to eliminate many of the contaminants that cause degradation of porous materials. This not only prevents staining to keep them looking good. It also protects them.
Guard Hardener WO slows the ageing of substrates, makes maintenance a breeze and keeps out the main causes of deterioration such as pollution, grease, soiling, water intrusion, moss, algae etc
Guard Hardener WO will actively repel contaminants for 10 years. The re-mineralising effects are permanent and will continue to provide ongoing protection once the repellency effects dissipate. At this time we highly recommend a new application of product to protect the materials for another 10 years.
FAQs
A penetrating hardener and water repellent for soft, crumbling or deteriorating masonry - particularly older bricks, sandstone and concrete weakened by water damage, salt attack or age. It hardens the substrate and produces a water and oil repellent protection.
No. It is a full penetrating treatment, meaning it does not form a surface film and therefore does not alter the natural grip or slip resistance of the surface.
Yes. It is suitable for consolidating porous sandstone that has become weak or powdery due to water damage. Penetration can be very deep—on horizontal surfaces it may fully penetrate sandstone. On vertical surfaces, penetration is generally less due to gravity, but it still provides strong consolidation and strengthening within the material.
Yes, one of the most common applications. Salt attack causes brick faces to spall and crumble over time. Guard Hardener WO penetrates deeply, hardens the brickwork and waterproofs it to prevent further salt ingress and damage.
