Sources Of Water

In order to waterproof, you need to stop and prevent water from coming into your basement. Water typically enters in through the following:

  • Cracks in the walls or floor
  • Cracks around tie rods and pipe penetrations
  • Cracks in the coveseam
  • Coveseam
  • Walls and floor (pores)
  • Interior drainage system
  • Around windows and doors
  • Other openings

If you want to waterproof, fix the cracks and seal your basement walls and floors. If you live in an area where heavy rain and flooding is common, consider also installing a sump pump.

When choosing a crack repair kit, use a high-pressure polyurethane solution with aluminum injection ports. Stay clear from low pressure kits and kits with plastic surface ports. If there is water present in the crack, look for a hydrophobic polyurethane kit for crack repair.

Waterproofing

Waterproofing, by definition, means to stop and prevent the intrusion of water. When looking for a waterproofing sealer, make sure the sealer can be used where hydrostatic pressure is present. Hydrostatic pressure is the force that pushes water through concrete. Most sealers can’t be used where hydrostatic pressure is present which means if you really want to use the sealer you’ve chosen, you must first apply a sealer that can stop hydrostatic pressure.

Foundation Armor is known for their concrete sealers. Their concrete sealers stop hydrostatic pressure up to 100 PSI and act as a bonding primer to other great sealers like Dylok, BEHR, Rust-O-Leum.

Waterproof Coatings

Waterproof coatings do just that, they coat the concrete with a surface film and prevent liquids and other things from getting to or at the surface of the concrete. While waterproof coatings are strong and will protect the surface, they can’t and don’t protect the concrete below the surface. Once water becomes present within or below the concrete, the waterproof coating will start to bubble, peel, or flake. For the best protection you want to apply a penetrating concrete sealer then apply a coating to the surface.

Popular concrete sealers: Foundation Armor

Popular concrete coatings: Dylok, BEHR, Rust-O-Leum

Waterproofing Sealers

Waterproofing sealers are different than waterproofing coatings. A waterproofing sealer works below the surface to prevent water from penetrating through the concrete (from below the surface of the concrete and on a surface level. Waterproof coatings leave behind a “film” or coating on the surface and prevent the concrete from absorbing liquids on a surface level. With coatings, if water is present within or under the concrete, the coating will bubble, flake, or peel off.

Want the best waterproofing protection? Seal the concrete with a waterproofing sealer then apply a waterproof coating to the surface.