Concrete sealer is one of the important elements for the walls and floors because it keeps the concrete dry and rigid.
It prevents water absorption and protects the concrete from excess moisture which increases the lifetime of the concrete.
RadonSeal and Drylok are two popular options for concrete sealing. These are also used for preventing water and gas seepage.
If you’re confused between these two options, go through this RadonSeal vs. Drylokanalysis which will help you choose the right one.
A Quick Comparison Between The Two Waterproofers
When it comes to the matter of walls and floor protection, Radonseal and Drylok are the best. But still, these two have some differences and specifications.
Here’s a quick comparison table between these two options for your better understanding-
| Specifications | RadonSeal | Drylok |
| Variant | RadonSeal Standard, Radonseal Plus | Drylok concrete floor paint, Drylok wetlook, Drylok Extreme, Drylok Firstplug etc. |
| Type | Water-based concrete sealer | Latex or oil-based paint |
| Uses | Floors, walls | Mainly on the walls |
| Cost | Expensive | Cheaper than Radonseal |
| Application | A little bit complex | Easy |
| Coverage | Cinder Blocks: 80 sq. ft. per gallon. Limestone 175-225 sq. ft. per gallon. Stucco: 200-250 sq. ft. per gallon. Poured Concrete: 200 sq. ft. per gallon. Concrete Blocks: 100 sq. ft. per gallon. | 75 – 100 square feet per gallon with Drylok extreme, 90 – 100 square feet per gallon with Drylok floor Masonry waterproofer. |
| Longevity | Over ten years | Drylok Extreme Masonry Waterproofer- fifteen years, Drylok Floor and Wall Masonry Waterproofer- almost seven years, Drylok Original Masonry Waterproofer- ten years. |
In-depth Differences Between Radonseal and Drylok
In this section, you will get to know about a detailed comparison between RadonSeal and Drylok:
- Variant
Drylok has more product variants than RadonSeal.
It has almost six types of waterproofers, and concrete sealers, whereas RadonSeal has only two- RadonSeal standard and RadonSeal Plus.
RadonSeal standard is used in mainly houses and basements.
On the other hand, RadonSeal plus give extra rigidity, and that’s why it is used in commercial areas.
Drylok has different types of waterproofers and sealers for different purposes. For example, you can find a separate Drylok concrete sealer for the floor.
Drylok extreme, Drylok Wetlook, Drylok original masonry waterproofer are some other options. Drylok Wetlook has become very popular nowadays because it gives a glossy look to the floor or wall, enhancing the beauty and protecting the concrete.
- Type
There are different types of waterproofing materials or concrete sealers available in the market. Penetrating, Acrylic, Polyurethanes, Epoxies, etc., are some popular ones.
RadonSeal is a water-based concrete sealer that is almost the same as the penetrating sealers. The water-based sealer’s main benefit is that it can penetrate easily into the concrete pores and block them.
It also creates a layer outside that prevents water and gas from seeping.
Drylok is a kind of acrylic, latex, or oil-based product. This type of sealer is great for those who want a smooth finish and perfect layer on their walls and floors.
But one of the major disadvantages of this type of sealer is that it does not go inside the concrete pores. So, radon or other types of gas can be created even though the Drylok is applied, which can eventually cause harm to the concrete wall.
- Uses
If you want a one-stop solution for your house, office, or basement, RadonSeal will be the best solution for you.
Because with RadonSeal standard or plus, you can cover both floors and walls.
But if you want to use Drylok, it won’t cover your floor. You have to buy a separate kind of Drylok which is only made for the floors.
As the Drylok waterproofer is latex or oil-based, it is not really suitable for the floors.
Another thing you have to keep in mind is that you can apply Drylok over the paint on the wall. But in the case of RadonSeal concrete sealer, it is best to remove the paint first.
As the RadonSeal is generally applied with the spraying machine, it cannot give a smooth finish if there’s anything excess on the floors or walls.
- Cost
If you have a budget issue, you can choose Drylok.
Drylok will meet your demand with a limited budget.
Drylok extreme waterproofer will cost you almost $35 per gallon, and Drylok floor and wall waterproof will cost $165 for 5 gallons or nearly $33 per gallon.
Compared with Drylok, RadonSeal is pretty expensive.
2.5-gallon RadonSeal Deep-Penetrating Concrete Sealer will cost you $119, and a 5-gallon costs $281, which is almost $116 higher than Drylok.
- Application
The application of RadonSeal is a little bit more complicated than Drylok. This is because you can not apply RadonSeal concrete sealer in the traditional way. You have to use a pump-up sprayer for applying this sealer.
With a pump-up sprayer, spray on an even coat sealer on the wall or floor. You have to make sure that you’re completely soaking the concrete with the sealer.
As the RadonSeal is applied with a sprayer, you need to be conscious about your safety so that any product cannot get into your touch.
On the other hand, most Drylok is applied with the traditional method. First, take a drywall knife and scrape off the old paint and dirt. You can also use an angle grinder to make sure a smooth finish.
After all the prep work, here comes the main part. You can also use Drylok Fast Plug if there’s any major crack in the wall.
Then take a Drylok brush, and apply the Drylok Extreme or any other variant of Drylok waterproofer as your preference. Move your brush horizontally for a better finish.
Also, check twice to find out if there are any spots left behind when applying.
- Coverage
As Radonseal is a water-based sealer and applied with a sprayer, it covers more area than Drylok with a single gallon. However, RadonSeal works differently on different surfaces.
Cinder Blocks: 80 sq. ft., limestone: 175-225 sq. ft., stucco: 200-250 sq. ft., poured concrete: 200 sq. ft., and concrete blocks: 100 sq. ft. can be covered with per gallon RadonSeal. But if you want a double layer for better protection, you’ll need more sealer.
Drylok is also used on these surfaces, and 90-100 sq. ft. can be easily covered with a gallon of Drylok.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Thoroseal and RadonSeal can be better options than Drylok. However, Drylok is less expensive than these two and easy to apply. It also works better against vapor.
Yes, you can use Drylok on the basement walls. Drylok will protect your basement wall from water and gas seepage as well as keep your basement clean.
No, Drylok does not cause mold; rather, it prevents the wall from developing any sort of mold and fungus. Because its main goal is to prevent the water and dirt from penetrating the wall and keep the concrete fresh.
Yes. RadonSeal is also known as a waterproofer which prevents water seepage and radon gas from the concrete.
Final Words
RadonSeal vs. Drylokcan be a difficult comparison as both have their strengths and weaknesses. You might be wondering which one to choose. Well, it depends on the budget, surface, and some other things.
If you don’t have any budget issues, you should choose RadonSeal for better coverage. But you might need some professional help when applying.
You can also choose Drylok if it’s for your basement wall. Drylok will be the best choice if you’re thinking about DIY. We hope this article helps you make the right choice.
Thanks for great detailed information! Good comparisons