Waterproofing a home’s exterior is essential to prevent water damage caused by rain, snow, and other forms of moisture. Ensuring that the outside walls of your home are protected can help avoid costly repairs and potential health risks from mould and mildew. Here are some easy methods for waterproofing the exterior of your home.
Let’s get straight to the point.
Waterproofing the exterior of your home is vital to prevent water damage, avoid costly repairs, and protect against mould and mildew. Key methods include inspecting and fixing wall damage, cleaning gutters, choosing appropriate waterproofing materials (like concrete coatings, sealers, or waterproof paint), and applying water-resistant plaster.
Test your waterproofing by spraying water and checking for moisture. For basements, excavation and moisture barriers help keep foundations dry, while proper landscape grading and gutter maintenance also ensure water is directed away from the house.
Exterior waterproofing protects your home, boosts its value, and maintains a healthier living environment.
Methods In Waterproofing Exterior Walls
1. Inspect The Walls For Damage
Before applying any waterproofing materials, checking the exterior walls for existing damage is important. This may include brick cracks, broken pipes, or damp spots. Fixing these problems first is essential to ensure effective waterproofing measures.
2. Clean Your Gutters
Clogged gutters can cause water to overflow and run down your walls, resulting in moisture seeping into the structure. To prevent this, clean your gutters at least twice yearly to ensure rainwater is properly drained away from your home.
3. Choose A Waterproofing Material
The right waterproofing material is vital for keeping your home’s exterior dry. Some options include:
- Concrete waterproofing coating: A cement-like compound that provides a permanent waterproof seal.
- Silicate-based concrete sealer: Reacts with masonry or concrete to create a waterproof barrier suitable for uncoated walls.
- Waterproof paint is similar to regular paint but specifically designed to block moisture. To prevent damage, choose a paint that allows moisture to escape.
4. Apply A Water-Resistant Ingredient To Plaster
Plastering can improve the appearance of walls while also adding strength and waterproofing. Many exterior plasters are water-resistant, but adding an admixture can provide extra protection. Before applying plaster, prepare the walls properly by filling any cracks or holes.
5. Use A Roller Or Brush To Apply The Waterproofer
Once the walls are prepped, apply the waterproofing solution using a roller or brush. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and ensure the first coat dries fully before applying additional coats. A thick layer is essential to create a strong barrier against moisture.
6. Conduct A Waterproof Test
After applying the waterproofing solution, test its effectiveness by spraying water on the wall at a 30-degree angle for several hours. If no moisture is detected, the walls are properly waterproofed.
Guide To Waterproofing A Basement From The Outside
Exterior waterproofing involves creating a barrier between the foundation and water sources. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the process:
1. Excavation
The first step in exterior basement waterproofing is to excavate the soil around the basement walls. This provides access to the foundation and allows for the installation of a moisture barrier.
2. Install A Moisture Barrier
Various types of moisture barriers can be applied to the foundation walls. Consult a professional to choose the best type for your home’s needs. These barriers prevent water from seeping through the foundation.
3. Backfill With Gravel
After the moisture barrier is installed, backfill the excavated area with gravel. This helps to drain water away from the foundation, reducing pressure on the walls.
4. Consider A Footer Drainage System
Sometimes, a footer drainage system may be required to help direct water away from the foundation. This system channels excess water into a sump pump, which removes it from the area.
Reasons To Waterproof The Outside Of A Basement
Waterproofing the exterior of a basement is important to prevent moisture from seeping in and causing structural damage. Below are several reasons why it’s important to waterproof the outside of your basement.
1. Preventing Foundation Damage
Over time, groundwater can seep into basement walls through foundation cracks, weakening the house’s structure. By waterproofing from the outside, you can prevent this issue before it begins.
2. Controlling Soil Moisture
Different soil types, particularly clay, can hold large amounts of water, which can pressure the foundation walls and cause them to crack. Waterproofing protects against this by preventing water from building up in the soil around the foundation.
3. Keeping The Basement Dry And Usable
A properly waterproofed basement is free of musty odours, damp spots, and seepage. This makes the basement more comfortable and usable as a living space, increasing the value of your home.
Landscape Grading And Exterior Waterproofing
Proper landscape grading is another important factor preventing water from reaching your home’s foundation. Here’s how to ensure your landscape is helping, not hurting, your waterproofing efforts.
1. Sloping Away From The Foundation
The ground around your home should slope away from the foundation at a gradual angle. This ensures rainwater naturally flows away from the house instead of pooling near the walls.
2. Refill Mulch And Soil
Over time, soil and mulch can settle or erode, reducing their effectiveness at directing water away from the home. Add new soil or mulch each year, building up areas close to the foundation.
3. Concrete And Asphalt Grading
Concrete and asphalt can shift over time, causing water to pool near the foundation. If this happens, you may need to repair the surface using mud-jacking or other slope adjustments.
The Importance Of Gutters And Downspouts
A key aspect of exterior waterproofing is ensuring that your gutters and downspouts function properly. Here are some tips for maintaining them effectively.
1. Clean Your Gutters Regularly
Gutters should be cleaned at least twice yearly, especially if trees are near your home. Clogged gutters can cause water to overflow and pool near the foundation, leading to basement flooding.
2. Ensure Proper Gutter Angle
The angle of your gutters is important. If the pitch is too steep or shallow, water may not flow properly, leading to overflow. Ensure the gutters are correctly angled to direct water towards the downspouts.
3. Extend Downspouts
Downspouts should extend four to six feet away from the foundation. This helps to ensure that water does not pool near the base of your home. You can use additional downspout lengths or flexible tubing to achieve this.
Ways To Prevent Water Damage To An Outdoor Wall
Waterproofing outdoor walls is essential for long-term protection. Here are six steps to help you prevent water damage:
1. Remove Any Existing Coatings
Waterproofing products cannot penetrate a surface if there’s an existing coating. Use a paint remover to strip away any paint or coating on the wall.
2. Clean The Wall
Once the coating is removed, clean the wall using a power washer and detergent. This will remove any dirt, debris, or chemical residue.
3. Patch Holes And Cracks
Fill any holes in the concrete wall with a concrete filler. Ensure the surface is smooth before applying the waterproofing compound.
4. Roughen The Surface
Roughening the wall with sandpaper or a wire brush will help the waterproofing product adhere better to the surface.
5. Keep The Wall Damp
Most waterproofing products require the surface to be damp before application. Ensure the wall is wet but not soaked before applying the product.
6. Apply Waterproofing Sealer
Use a roller or brush to apply the waterproofing sealer evenly across the entire wall. Cover all areas, including difficult surfaces, and apply multiple coats if necessary.
The Value Of Exterior Foundation Waterproofing
Waterproofing your home’s foundation offers numerous benefits beyond immediate protection from water damage. Here’s why it’s worth the investment.
1. Protecting Your Family’s Health
Dampness and moisture can worsen respiratory conditions and create unhealthy living conditions due to mould. Proper waterproofing keeps moisture out, safeguarding your family’s health.
2. Securing Your Belongings
Water and mould can damage personal belongings, especially those stored in basements. Waterproofing the foundation reduces the risk of moisture damaging your possessions.
3. Preserving Your Home’s Appearance
Moisture can lead to flaking paint and other exterior damage. Waterproofing helps maintain your home’s appearance, ensuring the paint stays intact for longer.
4. Increasing Home Value
Buyers are often wary of homes with signs of water damage. By waterproofing the exterior of your home, you can increase its value and attract more potential buyers when it comes time to sell.
Conclusion
Waterproofing the exterior of your home is an essential step in maintaining its structural integrity and protecting it from water damage. By inspecting for damage, choosing the right waterproofing materials, and ensuring proper drainage, you can prevent costly repairs and protect your home from moisture-related issues like mould and dampness.
Whether cleaning gutters, waterproofing the basement, or ensuring proper landscape grading, these proactive measures enhance your home’s durability, improve its appearance, and increase its value. Investing in exterior waterproofing is not just a safeguard for your property—it’s a way to ensure a safe, dry, and healthy living environment for years to come.
FAQs About Waterproofing
How Do You Waterproof The Outside Of A Foundation?
Install a waterproofing membrane. A heavy coat of the membrane, an asphalt-modified polyurethane material, can be troweled or sprayed on to seal the foundation wall against water from the outside. Elastomeric membranes are made of modified asphalt and exhibit great waterproofing characteristics.
Do You Need To Waterproof Exterior Walls?
If your home’s exterior walls are not waterproofed, you can face damage from invading moisture. Damp walls are excellent breeding grounds for mildew and mould, which can damage the home and lead to health problems for occupants. However, such damage can be avoided with proper waterproofing of a home’s exterior walls.
What Is Waterproof Coating?
What are waterproof coatings? Waterproof coatings cover the masonry of your building with a waterproof substance, stopping water from getting inside and wreaking havoc. Old House Journal explained that water-repellent coatings are hydrophobic toward water droplets but let vapour inside.
Is Anything Truly Waterproof?
The truth is that many things we normally consider waterproof have a measurable level of permeability. Plastic, glass, and even solid steel are all permeable to a small degree. From a purely scientific point of view, it is correct to say that nothing is waterproof.
How Do You Prepare Concrete For Waterproofing?
Clean all concrete surfaces so they are free from scale, laitance, dust, mould, oils, waxes, curing agents, and any material that can impact the bonding of the waterproofing membrane to the substrate.
