Abstract: In some variations, this disclosure provides a method of verifying the presence of an admixture in association with a solid base material, by combining the admixture with a stable inorganic tracer. A sample of the solid base material may be analyzed, using suitable analytical techniques, to detect the presence of the inorganic tracer in excess of any native inorganic tracer. When the inorganic tracer is positively detected, it is confirmed that the traceable admixture has been properly dosed within the base material. The inorganic tracer may comprise a rare earth metal, such as selenium, molybdenum, bismuth, and combinations, alloys, or oxides thereof, for example. The solid base material may be a cementitious material, in some embodiments. The traceable admixture may be a water-repellent admixture, in some embodiments. The principles of the invention, however, are widely applicable.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved water-repellent admixtures for cementitious materials. The water-repellent admixtures are incorporated during masonry processing to improve the water resistance of the final product. Solid water-repellent admixtures may be conveniently incorporated into pre-blended dry mortar mixes. In some variations, a pre-blended dry mortar mix comprises a cementitious material, an aggregate, and a dry water-repellent admixture, wherein the water-repellent admixture contains one or more materials selected from the group consisting of silanes, siloxanes, free fatty acids, fatty acid derivatives, particulated polymers, and particulated copolymers, and wherein the water-repellent admixture is present in the pre-blended dry mortar mix in a dosage from about 0.01% to about 1.00% by weight of the pre-blended dry mortar mix.