If you’re looking for hydraulic cement, Drylok and Quikrete are the two most common options. Both are DIY-friendly and available in most DIY and hardware stores.
However, Drylok and Quikrete are very different things. In most cases, you should use them for different applications. For that reason, it’s always a good idea to compare Drylok and Quikrete for your specific application.
For example, Drylok dries faster and is finer. However, with Drylok ranging between $4 and $29 per pound depending on the product, and Quikrete starting as low as $2 per pound, the latter is the cheaper option. So, most people prefer to use Quikrete in applications that don’t need Drylok.
What Is Drylok?
Drylok is a brand that makes several different cement products. Its hydraulic cement is one of the most popular in the country.
In fact, Drylok is used for any project where you need a high level of waterproofing with fast drying. These projects include:
- Waterproof masonry
- Swimming pools
- Waterproof layers on existing cement or masonry
- Patching holes while water is running through them
- Fish-safe tanks and pools
- Sealing or re-sealing masonry joints
In each case, Drylok is a very fine and fast-drying cement. It’s normally made up of Portland cement and lime. And, it’s almost always sold pre-mixed, which means you pay $4+ for a pound with water already in it.
=> Looking for a custom house floor plan? Click here to fill out our form, a member of our team will be in touch.
When that mixture hits an existing water source or moisture, it expands further, stopping the leak.
All Drylok fully dries in about 3-5 minutes. In addition, as an expanding concrete, it’s suitable to anchor items into concrete.
What Is Quikrete?
Quikrete is one of the most popular concrete brands in the United States. Its hydraulic cement is available mixed and unmixed, meaning you can purchase it by dry weight. It’s also significantly cheaper than Drylok.
Here, Quikrete Hydraulic Water-Stop Cement is designed as a rapid-setting and waterproof cement.
However, unlike Drylok, Quikrete includes coarser grain sand. This means you get Portland cement, sand, and other adhesives in the mix.
It’s rougher than Drylok, which means it’s less waterproof. However, pricing starts at around $2 per dry pound.
Quikrete can be used for the following:
- Swimming pools
- Patching holes in masonry
- Sealing foundations and other masonry
- Sealing around cracks or pipes
Quikrete sets in 3-5 minutes but takes a bit longer to dry. This means you’ll likely need more layers to stop an active leak than you will with Drylok.
Drylok Vs. Quikrete Hydraulic Cement Compared
Drylok and Quikrete are very similar products. Here, it may be difficult to tell the two brands apart for many applications.
For some uses, Drylok stands out. And, for others, you’ll definitely prefer to use Quikrete, even if only for costs.
| Factor | Drylok | Quikrete |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $4-$25 per lb. | $2+ per lb. |
| Texture | Very fine | Fine |
| Waterproofing | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Durability | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Ease of use | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| pH | No impact | Increases |
In each case, both are very good hydraulic cement options. However, both are suitable for different applications.
1. Cure Time
If you buy Drylok Fast Plug Hydraulic Cement or Quikrete Water-Stop Cement, you should have about the same setting time.
Both products take 3-5 minutes to set, providing you start with 70°F water and don’t apply the cement on a surface under 40°F.
Both have about the same setting time. However, Quikrete cures slightly faster.
2. Compressive Strength
Both Drylok and Quikrete design their products to stop the water.
This means you’ll get compressive strength to either resist water flow or anchor bolts or posts.
| Product | 2 hours | 24 hours | 7 days | 28 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drylok | 350 PSI | 2,650 PSI | 3,050 PSI | 11,975 PSI |
| Quikrete | 1,000 PSI | 2,500 PSI | 4,500 PSI | 5,500 PSI |
Essentially, Drylok takes slightly longer to cure. However, once it does cure, you’ll get significantly more compressive strength.
This means Drylok is suitable for use as a bolt or stud anchor. Quikrete is not. In addition, Drylok is better able to stand up to flowing water over a longer period.
This means that if you want to use hydraulic cement to stabilize a bolt, stud, or post, use Drylok. On the other hand, if you need to very quickly hold something in place long enough to put on another seal, Quikrete is a better call.
3. Waterproofing
Both Drylok and Quikrete hydraulic cement are ideal for use in stopping leaks in masonry. That includes projects like patching holes where mortar has come out. You can also use both to patch holes in cement swimming pools.
Here, Drylok stands out. It’s very fine and doesn’t change the PH of the water. This means it’s better suited for use as glue. In addition, you can use it for swimming pools and fish tanks without risking the water.
Both can also be applied in thin layers to waterproof a foundation. However, in each case, you’re better off using waterproofing paint or sealant. Drylok also sells these sealants separately.
Both Drylok and Quikrete are equally suitable for sealing between blocks and masonry.
4. Texture
Drylok uses finer sand than Quikrete. That’s so much the case that individuals who want the texture of Quikrete using Drylok normally just throw sand on the Drylok as it dries.
This means Drylok is better suited for repair projects. For example, if you want to repair two halves of a cement sink or a birdbath. Drylok is fine enough to smoothly fit two halves together. It’s also quite strong, so long as the layers aren’t too thin.
When do you care about texture? If you’re trying to match the texture of existing masonry or cement, it may matter. Otherwise, you probably don’t mind very much.
5. Cost
Quikrete starts out at about $2 per dry pound. Drylok starts out at about $4 per wet pound. This means Quikrete is significantly cheaper. However, pre-mixed Quikrete is also more expensive than dry Quikrete.
Costs alone normally mean that the larger the project, the more likely you are to want Quikrete rather than Drylok. For example, if you’re trying to put a large patch in a swimming pool, using Quikrete and surfacing it with Drylok might be a good workaround.
Still, in most cases, you won’t use either in very large quantities. This means that costs shouldn’t be too much of a factor for simple patches.
6. Durability
Both Quikrete and Drylok offer significant durability.
However, Quikrete uses coarser sand. This means it is more durable. In addition, the rougher surface means that other materials will bind to Quikrete better.
If you’re planning to put another layer on top, Quikrete is superior. That’s also true for paint. However, you can paint on both Quikrete and Drylok.
In most cases, actual longevity won’t matter for either brand for years.
Drylok has a 10-year warranty for masonry use. Here, Drylok actually guarantees the project no matter who ends up owning it. Quikrete, on the other hand, offers a limited warranty in case the product itself is defective.
7. pH Level
Quikrete is known to change the pH level of water after it’s been applied. This may mean that it will kill fish or force you to rebalance a swimming pool. Drylok does not have this problem.
For this reason, Drylok is the preferred option for projects that involve swimming pools, bird baths, fish tanks, pools, etc.
However, neither is explicitly made for the purpose. You may prefer to look for a product specifically intended for either use.
8. Ease of Use
Both Drylok and Quikrete have the exact same usage instructions. Here, you should clean out loose chips and dirt from the hole or area. Then, mix a small amount of hydraulic cement.
Both set in about 3-5 minutes depending on temperature. In addition, you cannot rework them afterwards. It’s important to mix in tiny amounts that you can use in 3 minutes. Then, apply them in thin layers to the hole.
The only difficult thing about using either is that you have to use it very quickly. In addition, any hydraulic cement left in your trough or on your tools will set and will be difficult to remove.
Additional Tips
If you’re using hydraulic cement, it’s important to be careful to use the cement as directed.
These cements set very quickly which means it is very easy to make a mess of your project.
Clean the Area
It’s important that you clean an area before applying hydraulic cement. Here, your largest concern is that you remove loose chips, dust, and oil or fat.
Any of these can prevent the hydraulic cement from sticking to the surface. However, hydraulic cement can bond very well if your area is still wet.
If you have an active leak, Drylok is the better choice, because it expands when setting. This means it will be more difficult to wash out before it fully sets.
Use Warm Water
You should always mix hydraulic cement with warm water. Here, you normally want water at about 70°F or room temperature. If you want the cement to set faster, use warmer water.
On the other hand, if you want to slightly delay setting speed, use colder water. However, you should keep in mind that if the water is too cold, the adhesives won’t properly activate.
Blend at Low Speed
It’s always a good idea to blend hydraulic cement at a low speed.
If you mix it quickly and increase the heat, it will start to set more quickly.
Apply From the Top Down
It’s always best practice to apply hydraulic cement from the top down. This prevents the bottom layer from being too thick.
Here, you give the top portion of the cement time to begin to set before applying cement under it, which means you’ll have less buildup because of gravity and therefore a smoother patch.
Drylok and Quikrete Over Hydraulic Cement
Both Drylok and Quikrete can be applied to existing layers of hydraulic cement.
However, Quikrete will bond better, because it is coarser and therefore has more surface to stick to.
Painting Over Hydraulic Cement
Both Drylok and Quikrete can be painted over in as little as 24 hours from setting.
However, it’s usually best to wait 5-7 days to give the hydraulic cement enough time to fully cure before you paint it.