How do you waterproof the exterior of a house?

Water is a silent destroyer of property. Your home's outside walls need to be waterproof to prevent damage from rain and snow. Mildew and mould thrive on damp walls, causing structural damage and health issues. Waterproofing effectively protects against such problems. The exterior of your house can be protected from water damage with do-it-yourself supplies.

It is best to prevent basement flooding by waterproofing the outside of the building. This should ideally be done at the time of building. Basements made of poured concrete or masonry blocks can be waterproofed from the outside. When you need assistance with your basement, turn to Accurate Basement.

We have a wide range of external waterproofing services at Hitch Property Constructions.

Easy Methods for Waterproofing Outdoor Walls

Verify the Walls for Damage

The outside walls should be waterproofed if they ever get damp from rain or other sources of moisture. The walls must already be damp for this to work. Before looking for waterproofing materials, it is crucial to eliminate any further causes of structural dampness. Your bricks could be cracking, there could be dampness on the interior of your wall, or a pipe could have broken. Infinite potential exists. Applying a waterproofer as a preventative measure is the next logical step once the problem has been fixed.

Clean Your Gutters

Clogged gutters not only cause water to spill over the side and down your walls, but they also collect water, which can be absorbed by the wood or fascia boards on your roof and cause decay, leaks, and mould. Clogged gutters not only cause water to back up and run down your walls, but they also prevent rainwater from draining away. All of these problems can be avoided, and your home's health can be maintained, by simply cleaning your gutters twice a year.

Find a Reliable Water Repellent

Today, homeowners may choose from a variety of waterproofing materials designed to keep their dwellings dry from the outside.
The following are some products worthy of your consideration:

• A cement-like compound, concrete waterproofing coating, may be applied to any surface, even freshly painted walls, and provides a permanent seal against water and the elements.
• Concrete sealer based on silicate, which forms a waterproof layer by reacting with masonry and concrete materials; this sealer can only be applied to uncoated or unpainted walls.
• To a large extent, waterproofing paint resembles regular acrylic wall paint, with the key difference being in its efficacy at keeping water out. It is crucial to select a formulation that is designed to promote ventilation and the removal of moisture from walls. It's okay to use this on previously painted walls.

Apply a Water-Resistant Ingredient to Plaster

Plastering not only makes walls look nicer, but also makes them stronger and waterproof. Although most exterior plasters are watertight on their own, the use of an admixture can further ensure that no moisture will penetrate the surface.

It's important to get the outer walls ready before you start waterproofing. If there are any holes or cracks, apply a high-quality filler to fix them. Filler, dry, then grind. The adhesion of the waterproofer and the substrate to the wall must be ensured by sanding rough, uneven sections, washing away dust, and allowing the walls to dry fully.

Method of Waterproofing Application

It is possible to use either a roller or a brush to apply the waterproofer. If you need to apply a second coat, make sure the first one is dry before applying the second one. Be sure to apply a thick enough layer to create an impenetrable barrier.

Test

To determine how well the materials used to waterproof the building's exterior have performed, a water-tightness test must be conducted. Water should be sprayed onto the wall at a 30 degree angle and left there for a couple of hours as part of this test. Providing a moisture metre reads zero, your home will be considered dry and pass the inspection. Waterproofing the external walls of your home can not only prevent costly repairs, but will also boost the value of your property.

Reasons to Waterproof the Outside of a Basement

Wet basements are caused by groundwater seeping via foundation fractures and permeable basement walls. Poorly poured concrete walls can develop weak places that allow water in, and mortar joints in masonry block walls can crack over time.

The moisture level in a basement can also be affected by the soil outside. How much soil expands is conditional on the soil type. When wet, clay soil swells and holds too much water. The strain from the expansion and swelling forces water through cracks in the foundation.

How Do You Waterproof a Basement From the Outside?

All of these issues may be resolved through waterproofing the basement's outside. The first stage is to excavate the soil away from the outside of the basement's walls. Next, a moisture barrier is installed, the area is backfilled with gravel, and a footer draining system is built. In some cases, a sump pump might not be required.

A variety of moisture barriers are available, and wall preparation on the basement may be necessary. Accurate Basement has trained professionals who can advise you on the appropriate moisture barrier for your basement. For this reason, the gravel fill is crucial, given the nature of the soil here.

Why Should You Waterproof the Outside of Your Basement?

There are numerous upsides to waterproofing the outside of your home. Not managing but rather preventing water from entering the basement is what this does. Water is diverted away from your house's structure. Gravel lowers water pressure. The result is a dry, pleasant space in the basement. Seepage, damp areas, and musty odours can all be eliminated with an exterior basement waterproofing system, making your basement habitable. Value increases result from this improvement.

Basement Waterproofing From the Outside

For optimal results, your basement waterproofing strategy must include gutters and downspouts.

Get the Gutters Cleaned Out

The density of the plants around your home is related to the amount of time that has gone since you last cleaned them.

Two maple trees, easily a century or more in age, loomed directly over our house when we first moved in. Visiting the site at least twice a year would be necessary for a THOROUGH cleaning.

Our new residence is in a more modern neighbourhood than our previous one. None of the trees on the block are tall enough to reach our house. If you want to make sure that all of the debris, including the loose asphalt silt that erodes from your shingles, has been removed, you should climb up onto the roof at least once a year and give it a quick cleaning.

Use a power washer to save time and effort if you have access to one. A garden shovel and a ladder will suffice if those items are unavailable. It is imperative that ladder safety measures be adhered to at all times.

Check the Angle of Your Gutters and Fix Them Properly

Clogged gutters or an improper roof pitch can cause water to pool near the drains or flow away from them, leading to overflow at the roof's margins.

The gutters are not doing their job if water is leaking over the top. The gutters are designed to redirect water away from the foundation of the house, but rain will still fall near the foundation despite their best efforts. Since this water is more likely to accumulate in your basement than in the sewer, that is where it will go.

In the event that you suspect your gutters are either small or too steeply pitched for your roof, you should check their performance the next time it rains heavy.

You might also try using a garden hose to wash away the water; if significant buildup happens even while using a hose, it's probably not keeping up with moderate rainfall.

Looking for external waterproofing Melbourne? Check out Hitch Property Constructions.

Gutter Downspouts and Downspout Add-Ons

You shouldn't slack up on downspout maintenance now that your gutters are functioning properly. Each downspout, of which there is not a great deal, needs an extension.

Several approaches exist for carrying this out. Extra lengths of downspout, brown or green flexible tubing, and automatic models that roll out when it rains and retract when it stops are the most frequent kinds.

Place it so that water flows away from the house and the foundation, ideally at a distance of four to six feet.

Landscape Grading

If you want a completely watertight outside basement, you also need to consider the slope of the land around your home.

Dirt/Mulch/Grass

It appears simple, but is actually rather difficult. No one even thinks about taking a look at it, much less doing anything to remedy it. The trick is to ensure that the ground around your house gradually slopes away from its foundation.

Each year as you replenish your mulch, aim to put more of it close to your home and less far away. By doing so, you can build a shallow slope that will direct rainwater away from your home. To facilitate the natural flow of water, it need not be elaborate.

Concrete/Asphalt

The ground beneath concrete and asphalt tends to shift with time, and usually in the wrong direction. You'll end up with an angle that points towards your base.

In order to solve this issue, you can choose from a few different approaches, some of which will cost more than others. Asphalt often needs less work to repair than concrete. Mud-jacking is something to consider if you're having issues with concrete. It's preferable to tearing out and replacing all the sinking concrete.

The Value of Waterproofing the Outside of a Foundation

The Medically Fragile in Your Family Deserves Your Protection

Having a safe and comfortable location to call home will go a long way towards ensuring the happiness and well-being of your loved ones. The problem is that staying at home frequently results in more issues for residents to resolve.

Some medical disorders, especially respiratory ones, can become much worse in the presence of dampness and moisture.

The dangers of mould spores make it imperative that they be kept out of your house by any means necessary.

To keep your family in good health, make sure the external foundation is appropriately waterproofed.

The Process of Waterproofing Involves Sealing All Potential Entry Points

Do you feel like you've done everything that needs to be done to ensure that your home is waterproof? Without the proper training and experience, it is likely that you will miss an area where water is still leaking in.

If you have a professional come in to waterproof your home, they will find all potential access spots and seal them up to prevent any water or intruders from getting in.

Professionals in your area will waterproof the following parts of your home's exterior:

• Your chimney and roof
• Windows
• Siding
• Decks and more.

What needs to be waterproofed in your home may surprise you.

Building a Waterproof Foundation Helps Keep Your Belongings Safe

The two most destructive components are moisture and mould.

One of your duties is to take reasonable measures to guarantee their safety. If it gets inside your house, it can travel along the walls much more rapidly than you might think.

You should anticipate that whatever you lean against these walls will suffer damage practically immediately. Having the things in concern stored in a wet area, like a basement, makes the situation considerably worse. Many of your belongings may have been destroyed by mould and you may not even know it.

If you take the time to waterproof the exterior of your home's foundation, you won't have to worry about water seeping in and fostering mould growth within your home, keeping your things secure.

Protect Your House’s Appearance

It's a shared aspiration among homeowners everywhere to make their abode appear attractive.

Depending on the community, you may also be expected to make sure it always meets aesthetic standards. Water may swiftly ruin a home's façade, regardless of how well it was painted.

Flaking paint is unsightly and should be avoided. Whether you choose to do it yourself or hire a professional, waterproofing the exterior of your home is a necessary step before painting.

This will maintain the paint in good condition for a longer time by blocking water from damaging it. Many painters in the region also offer waterproofing services, so be sure to enquire about this when hiring one to paint your home.

Waterproofing the Outside of a Building’s Foundation Prevents Leaks Before It Begins

It's true that not all attempts to prevent water damage succeed.

By installing damp proofing, for example, you may keep water from seeping into your walls and causing structural problems. That doesn't mean it can't get inside your house through the windows and doors.

You'll have some structural problems to fix and possibly some new ones as a result of this. Although it could appear to be a less time-consuming or costly alternative, this may not be the most effective strategy for water management at home.

Waterproofing the exterior of your home's foundation will prevent water from entering the building through any entry point, including the exterior.

It's the best way to keep unwanted visitors out of your home.

Your Home’s Value Will Increase as a Result

Any signs of humidity or moisture inside the building should raise red flags for potential purchasers.

It shows them the extent of the problems with the house and the time and money it will take to remedy those problems in the future.

Many interested purchasers may be put off by this, and your home's value may even go down as a result.

The use of outside waterproofing on a foundation, on the other hand, is indicative of careful upkeep to prospective buyers.

Thanks to your quick thinking, you've prevented the house from flooding and ensured the safety of everyone inside.

Using this method to waterproof your property will result in a noticeable rise in the value of your home, so you should give it some serious attention if you plan on selling it in the near future.

Will Waterproofing the Exterior of Your Home Help? Contact the Exterior Home Specialists You Already Know!

Waterproofing the Exterior of a Foundation Is a Permanent Fix

Numerous methods of waterproofing have the drawback of merely providing a short-term solution.

While it may appear that you have successfully prevented water from entering your home, it has likely already made its way inside.

But waterproofing the exterior of the foundation is a much more permanent solution. Thanks to the protective barrier it establishes against the intrusion of moisture, you can kick back and take it easy knowing that your house is safe from the elements.

It's even been said that in some people it lasts for their entire lives!

To Keep Your House Safe From Disaster

Dampness causes a lot of harm, and you might not realise it at first.

It can ruin your home's aesthetic, pose health risks, and wipe out your possessions. The house's foundation is crumbling and you have no idea it's happening.

Think about the shelter you're under right now.

The roof beams may deteriorate if the water is let to collect there for too long. If this continues, the entire roof will eventually deteriorate.

If you put off fixing the roof for too long, it will need to be replaced entirely. If you keep a sharp eye out and choose waterproofing for the outer foundation, none of this will be a problem.

Free up Some Room at Home

If you've taken precautions to prevent wetness in your house, there won't be a single room you can't utilise.

Take the example of the cellar as an example. Now that you've covered it, you don't have to worry about it getting wet. It might become a recreational room or an extra bedroom, depending on your needs.

Water won't be able to get in there and cause any damage, ever.

At Hitch Property Constructions, we offer Melbourne external waterproofing services.

Ways to Prevent Water Damage to an Outdoor Wall

Step 1

To get rid of the finish from the concrete on your outside wall, you can use paint remover or contact a professional. Remove the coating or paint. Waterproofing products cannot penetrate a wall unless the concrete beneath it is exposed.

Step 2

Any remaining chemical residue from the stripping procedure must be removed by washing the wall with the power washer and a light detergent.

Step 3

You should patch any holes in the concrete that are wider than the waterproofing compound you're applying can successfully seal. Patch the holes in the wall with a trowel and some concrete filler. Make sure the filler is flush with the surrounding wall before painting. It's important to give the filler plenty of time to dry before moving on.

Step 4

A wall can be sandblasted or roughed up with a wire hand brush if you like a more tactilely engaging surface. The product's texture needs to be rough so that it can "grab" the surface.

Step 5

Give the wall a good rinse with the power washer or a hose to get rid of any dirt or dust that has accumulated. The manufacturer recommends keeping the wall damp while applying the waterproof sealer, so be careful to do that.

Step 6

Waterproof sealant can be applied to a wall using either a brush or a roller. Don't skimp on application; use enough to ensure complete wall coverage, even over difficult surfaces. Wait for the wall to dry between coats if the directions ask for them.

Clearly, there is no simple answer to the question of whether or not you should waterproof the exterior foundation of your home. Your family's health and happiness will benefit in the long run from this solution, and it is also highly effective.