It was a dark and stormy night. Suddenly, a shot rang, a door slammed...
There I was, at the counter when she came in, dressed in the manner of all beautiful women. She leaned up against the counter. "Jake," she said, with those cool eyes burning into mine. Eyes that were such a deep blue that I could almost dive into them. Eyes that were so... "Jake," she said again, and just as I'm about to tell her that my name isn't Jake, she tells me her story. Her man didn't get the right repair product, and she has become so tired of the problems with water that she's finally had it. And as I looked into those eyes, those eyes that had such intensity, those eyes... well, I could tell that she was serious, that if I couldn't help her with this problem, I was going to be in trouble--serious trouble. And after all, my wife never did take any guff from me, and as she left, she said, "Next time it won't be just the water heater that gets it; next time it's you, bucko!"
Guys, let me share some secrets on how to avoid this with your wife; the solution is quite simple--get the right product for the right job. When you buy any product from any store, you are buying three things. One, you are buying the actual product that will repel water, and second, the product that carries it into the substrate. The third and final item is called "filler" material, the product that helps keep the price down to affordable levels. So here's the scoop.
Make certain that the repellent and carrying agents are compatible with the substrate that you are putting it onto. Many times it will be hidden in the little writing on the side of the can--that this product really doesn't work that well on masonry, or on wood, or on whatever, and that it's not recommended for your project. Why do you have to be careful? Not only because it is a waste of money, but once you apply a product, and especially if it is silicone-based, then it will not allow another type to be placed on top of it, and many products are just about impossible to remove, so get it right the first time. The reason for this lack of compatability is that each company has its own trade secret, and to avoid copycat laws, they have to change the formula. In other words, it's the nature of the beast. So only buy from a company that you trust, and please make certain that the salesperson knows what he or she is talking about!
V.O.C means that the product contains chemicals that will not do any extra damage to the enviroment, so buy only those products that are V.O.C-compliant with the laws and regulations of Oregon and California.
Finally, read the label before you buy. Find out what's in the product; I mean what is really in the can! Some major brands will hide the fact that you are buying not silicone but parafin--that's right--wax! And you are paying a premium for it. So again, don't be afraid to talk to the salesclerk to find out what's really in it, and don't leave with a product in hand when you don't know how it will perform. And if you have questions on how safe the product is for your own use, ask the clerk for a copy of the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet). This will tell you virtually all that you need to know about the safety of using the product.
And don't forget, there is always the Internet. Go to the company's web site and get information. If you have a question on a particular product type, then e-mail me at dans@cascadeblock.com and ask me. I'll answer it for you and get you a web-site address of a trade organization. (I check my mail only one time daily, and that's in the morning before 9:00 a.m., so if I miss you then, I'll respond the next day.) If you just don't know who you can trust, call the local builders board, or contact the building and safety division of the county or city. Whatever you do, make certain before you buy! Next week we'll get into coating types and what they specifically do. Until then, see ya'!
Originally published in the Daily Courier November 19, 1999