Hydraulic Cement
Hydraulic Cement
Many homeowners don't realize that ordinary Portland cement shrinks when it dries. The shrinkage is very little, however it does shrink. This means that if you patch a crack or a hole, a very tiny leak may form after the cement dries.
Hydraulic cements do the opposite. They expand as they dry. In new construction I use them to fill the void areas in foundations around water pipes, electric wire sleeves, foundation form holes, etc. The stuff works! Often it has a short 'pot' life. This means that you should only mix up enough material that you can comfortably use in 10 to 15 minutes.
There are numerous manufacturers of hydraulic cements. I have listed just a few. If you purchase a brand not listed, be sure the label says that it expands as it dries.
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Author's Note: The following email comment was received from Art, a Cement Manufacturer's Representative in Southern California ...
Hi Tim,
I hope you take this in the spirit in which it is intended and that is to just help your site be better. Your definition of a hydraulic cement is misleading. According to ASTM (American Society for Testing & Materials), a hydraulic cement is a cement that creates a chemical reaction when it comes in contact with water (hydration) and will cure under water.
Being a hydraulic cement in itself has nothing to do with expansion, although some hydraulic cements will shrink less than others, but this is due to them being a sulfoaluminate based cement, not a Portland cement and has nothing to do with them being a hydraulic cement. Being a sulfoaluminate cement is also the reason you have the shortened working times.
Thanks,
Art / Cement Mfg. Rep.