It absorbs water better because it is a different material. Just like a sponge absorbs water better then a rock. It has more space and areas it can cling onto and seep into. Like dirt. Water can absorbed really well into dirt because it has air pockets and the water can seep into the pockets and evaporate. But if its cement then the water cant go anywhere it just floats on the top of the cement and cant seep into the cement.
