Water resistant building materials

Abstract

Methods and compositions useful for increasing water resistance of a surface associated with a concrete, masonry or wood building material as disclosed herein. The method comprises the steps of applying a selected amount of an aqueous treating solution to the surface, wherein the aqueous treating solution includes a hydrophobic anion salt dissolved in water; allowing a portion of the aqueous treating solution to absorb into the surface; and evaporating the water to yield a treated surface having increased water resistance. The composition comprises a major amount of cement and a minor amount of a hydrophobic anion salt. The major amount of cement may be Portland cement, and the minor amount of hydrophobic anion salt may be potassium stearate, sodium stearate, as well as combinations thereof.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.