11 Tips for Concrete Block Waterproofing
- 1. Apply a Coating Directly On the Bare Wall ...
- 2. Use a Breathable / Permeable Barrier ...
- 3. Use a Weather-Resistant Elastomeric Layer ...
- 4. Use “The Pink Stuff” ...
- 5. Repair Cracks and Fill Voids First ...
- 6. Install an Air and Moisture Barrier ...
- 7. Don’t Apply Concrete Block Sealer Over Painted Walls or Efflorescence ...
- 8. Install Drain Channels ...
- Apply a Coating Directly On the Bare Wall. ...
- Use a Breathable / Permeable Barrier. ...
- Use a Weather-Resistant Elastomeric Layer. ...
- Use “The Pink Stuff” ...
- Repair Cracks and Fill Voids First. ...
- Install an Air and Moisture Barrier.
How do you seal a concrete block wall?
Paint on two coats of concrete block sealer to the interior of the block. This sealer will penetrate the block pours, sealing them off from any invading water. Using a roller, roll on the sealer, allowing 30 minutes of drying time between each coat. Recoat the surface every two years.
How do you waterproof a cinder block foundation?
How To Waterproof Your Cinder Block Foundation. To waterproof, strengthen, and preserve the overall appearance of your basement cinder block walls, seal the blocks permanently against moisture and efflorescence with RadonSeal Plus Penetrating Concrete Sealer.
What is the best waterproofing sealer for concrete?
Combining Waterproofing Sealers – The combination of using RadonSeal Plus followed by Ion-Bond Armor Elastomeric Concrete Sealer provides the tightest possible seal for poured concrete and concrete blocks.
How do you waterproof a block wall in a basement?
If the block wall you’re waterproofing is new, install an exterior drain board to keep water away from your below-grade walls. If the foundation wall is already in place, it’s expensive to retrofit with this solution because it involves excavating around your basement.
What is the best waterproofing for concrete block walls?
Using RadonSeal Plus along with Ion-Bond Armor are the best concrete block sealers for use on cinder blocks and have proven foolproof for many frustrated homeowners!
Should concrete blocks be sealed?
Because they are so porous, water easily finds it way underneath the surface, sitting in the numerous air pockets to fester and eventually spawn mold, mildew, and other issues. The best way to prevent this type of problem is by sealing your concrete blocks.
Can you seal concrete to make it waterproof?
After you complete a concrete job, don't neglect the single most important step to ensure that it lasts a lifetime: sealing. With a high-quality sealant—and this helpful guide—you can waterproof and protect your new concrete surfaces for years to come.
Can you waterproof a block wall from the inside?
Apply a masonry waterproofing product to the walls Seal/coat the interior of the walls with a suitable masonry waterproof product. When the paint dries, the sealant forms a watertight bond to stop water from seeping through. This is how you can waterproof your basement walls from inside.
What is the best way to waterproof concrete?
The most common way to waterproof concrete is to use a liquid waterproofing product specifically designed for that purpose. Liquid waterproofing gel is a thick substance that turns into a rubber-like coating once applied to the outside of a concrete wall.
How often should concrete block be sealed?
every 2-5 yearsSealing your concrete isn't really a labor-intensive, nor costly, job. By sealing your concrete every 2-5 years, as recommended by experts, you should keep your floor in good shape, preventing cracks, pitting, and additional damage.
What is the best product to seal concrete?
BEST OVERALL: Foundation Armor AR350 Wet Look Concrete Sealer.BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: MasonryDefender Penetrating Concrete Sealer.BEST PENETRATING: Ghostshield Siloxa-Tek 8500 Penetrating Sealer.BEST ACRYLIC: Eagle Armor Seal Urethane Acrylic Concrete Sealer.BEST EPOXY: TotalBoat Table Top Epoxy Resin 1 Gallon Kit.More items...•
What do you mix with concrete to waterproof it?
Fixit Powder Waterproof is composed of waterproofing additives, dispersed in inert fine filler. It is an integral powder-waterproofing admixture used for waterproofing of concrete and cement plasters, because It makes concrete cohesive, reduces porosity & improve water tightness.
How do I stop water coming through my block wall?
You can stop pinhole water leaks in your cinder block walls by sealing them with a masonry waterproofer. Masonry waterproofers contain particles of silica or epoxies that bond with the cinder-block surface to create a waterproof barrier that plugs the pores that cause pinhole leaks.
How do you waterproof outdoor masonry walls?
Surface repellents for concrete masonry—typically silicones, silanes, and siloxanes—provide waterproofing at the exterior of the wall assembly. They are applied by a roller or spray equipment after the mortar has had an opportunity to cure. The product is absorbed into the units and mortar and coats the pores.
How do you waterproof a block retaining wall?
0:424:36How To Waterproof A Retaining Wall - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOr an above ground area where it's going to be visible. So there's always voids.MoreOr an above ground area where it's going to be visible. So there's always voids.
Is it worth having block paving sealed?
By sealing your block paving it will increase your block paving and patio's life span. If you put the best type of sealant in place, your block paving and sealant could last for years to come. Not only will it increase the life span, but it'll also contribute to other benefits such as: Reduce mould growth.
What happens if concrete is not sealed?
What happens if I don't seal my concrete? Concrete is a porous material that readily absorbs liquids. In freeze-thaw climates, the expansion of frozen liquids can destroy the surface of unsealed concrete. Oil, salt, fertilizer, and other household chemicals can discolor and damage unsealed concrete.
Can concrete blocks be left exposed?
The typical grey blocks used for internal structural walls can also be left exposed without detriment to structural performance, but a more appropriate aesthetic solution is to specify paint-grade or fairfaced blocks, which have a smooth, more closed texture.
What do you put between concrete blocks?
If your wall is straight, line up the first layer of cinder blocks from one end to the other end. Put 3⁄8 inch (0.95 cm) plywood spacers in between the blocks. You will use spacers for straight walls and walls with turns.
What is the best sealer for poured concrete?
Combining Waterproofing Sealers – The combination of using RadonSeal Plus followed by Ion-Bond Armor Elastomeric Concrete Sealer provides the tightest possible seal for poured concrete and concrete blocks. Ion-Bond Armor is also a penetrating sealer which chemically bonds with RadonSeal forming a a strong waterproof membrane below the surface of concrete.
How thick is a concrete block?
According to ASHRAE Handbook, the permeability of concrete (1:2:4 mix) is 3.2 perms per inch of thickness. A good quality newly poured concrete wall 8-10 inches thick has a permeance (=permeability/thickness) of 0.4-0.3 perms (=3.2/8 - 3.2/10).
What is the best sealer for CMUs?
When sealing CMUs with low-cement content, the appropriate sealers of choice would be our LastiSeal Brick & Masonry Sealer or DryWay Water-Repellent Sealer. Chemically different, both sealers share similar characteristics. Both will penetrate and plug the pores of the blocks below the surface, waterproofing the substrate against rain water.
What blocks are permeable to water?
Cinder blocks, lightweight CMUs, splitface blocks, haydite, and "popcorn blocks" are considered permeable to water and vapor (>10 perms) which makes waterproofing them even more difficult to seal!
How does radon seal work?
RadonSeal works by penetrating below the surface of concrete, reacting with lime and alkalis internally, and curing as a hardened mineral within the microscopic pores and capillaries of concrete. RadonSeal will help to block and greatly minimize capillary water seepage and vapor through the matrix of concrete.
What is a split face block?
Lightweight Split Face and Haydite Blocks are dry-pressed blocks made with little or no cement. Used commonly for above-grade construction as decorative blocks, facades, retaining walls, garden boxes, and hardscape. Since RadonSeal relies on hydroxide produced as a result of the cement curing process, as the cement content decreases, the ability for RadonSeal to properly work also decreases.
How long does it take for ion bond to cure?
Applying Ion-Bond Armor – Allow RadonSeal Plus to cure for at least 10 days after application. This will give RadonSeal enough time to initially cure inside the concrete. If RadonSeal purges efflorescence or salts from within the concrete, remove when needed (RadonSeal Instructions). Make sure the concrete is thoroughly dry (use a fan if needed). After 10 days, apply a wetting application of Ion-Bond Armor (Ion-Bond Armor Instruction).
What to use to seal concrete blocks?
Paint Wall Paint the cinder block wall with a thick coat of masonry waterproofing paint, pushing paint into cracks and crevices of block. A paint roller or brush made specifically for masonry is best. Allow to dry overnight or for a minimum of 12 hours between coats.
How do you seal a block wall before painting?
Paint the entire wall with a thin coat of a concrete sealer or concrete primer. Apply an even coat with a wide paintbrush. Allow it to dry for four hours or for the time indicated on the sealer label. Paint a thin coat of exterior latex masonry paint or exterior acrylic house paint onto the prepared cinder blocks.
What is the best concrete block sealer?
Using RadonSeal Plus along with Ion-Bond Armor are the best concrete block sealers for use on cinder blocks and have proven foolproof for many frustrated homeowners!
Should you wet concrete blocks before laying?
Do not wet the blocks before installing them. Wet blocks expand, then shrink when they dry. If it rains or rain threatens, cover the blocks. Spread mortar only on the outside edges of the block (a technique called face-shell bedding), not on the cross web.
Do concrete blocks deteriorate?
If a block has not been properly cured, water can also infiltrate the interior of the block.
Do concrete blocks need to be rendered?
Standard texture Ultralite, Insulite and Dense Concrete blocks provide an excellent key for adhesion. These blocks have moderate suction and no special pre-treatment of the surface is normally required other than ensuring that all dust and debris is removed. Traditional renders should be applied in 2 coats.
Is there a waterproof cement?
characteristics. Waterproof cement is the name given to a portland cement to which a water-repellent agent has been added. Hydrophobic cement is obtained by grinding portland cement clinker with a film-forming substance such as oleic acid in order to reduce the rate of deterioration when the…
What is the process of waterproofing concrete block foundations?
The process is known as Interior Drain Tile .
Who invented the hollow concrete block?
In 1900, American Harmon S. Palmer patented the first hollow concrete block design. Sand and gravel aggregate is found in abundance throughout the Midwest. They are the raw materials needed to manufacture concrete block. Many people use the terms “concrete block” and “cinder block” interchangeably.
Why is cinder block lighter than concrete?
Cinder block tends to be lighter because it uses remnants (ashes) from burned coal as the aggregate instead of heavier sand or gravel. In the early 1900’s, mass production methods led to a proliferation of homes being built using concrete block.
What is concrete made of?
Concrete has been used in construction since ancient times. It is made from a mixture of cement, aggregate and water. Poured concrete (the most common type of foundation in Chicagland) is formed (casted) onsite . Concrete block is concrete formed and hardened offsite in a manufacturing plant. The first house in the country built using concrete ...
What is a block used for?
You might have heard of “ split faced block ”, which is used in above grade construction. Concrete blocks used to build foundations usually come in 16 inch x 8 inch x 8 inch units and weigh about 40 pounds each.
Does concrete block cause mold?
Consequently, water seeps through the exterior mortar joints and into the hollows of the block. The water trapped inside the block eventually leads to foundation seepage. It should be noted concrete block is porous by nature. It easily absorbs moisture, which can contribute to mold problems. In some instances, the soil and water pressure is so ...
How long does it take to seal a concrete block foundation?
Over the years, the construction industry has developed various methods that can be easily implemented by the average do-it-yourselfer. You can expect to complete this project in one to two days, depending on the size and scope of the project.
How long does it take for a concrete block to dry?
This sealer will penetrate the block pours, sealing them off from any invading water. Using a roller, roll on the sealer, allowing 30 minutes of drying time between each coat. Recoat the surface every two years.
How to clean a block?
Clean the interior of the block using a stiff bristled brush. Sweep the surface of the block as though you were cleaning the block but without chemicals. Remove dust and debris with the brush.
What tip to use for pressure washer?
Because pressure washers have color-coded tips that distinguish water pressure, insert the yellow tip into the end of the washer first. This will supply a 30-degree fan pattern that is gentle on the block surface. Using a red tip in the pressure washer will damage the block.
Why is it important to seal cracks in concrete?from quikrete.com
Once a crack develops it is important to seal the crack from water to prevent further deterioration.
What is the purpose of sealing a shrinkage crack in a concrete slab?from inspectapedia.com
To seal a shrinkage crack or a control joint crack in a poured concrete slab, regardless of whether or not it has occurred at an expansion or control joint, it may be appropriate to seal the surface to resist water entry and radon gas entry.
What is the best material to fill cracks in concrete?from bobvila.com
Options include epoxy compounds, latex patching material, and mortar mixes. This last option works best to fill large cracks (or chipped edges), while the other products are suitable for cracks in concrete that are ⅛-inch wide or narrower.
What is epoxy resin?from inspectapedia.com
Epoxy resin adhesives are formulated for bonding concrete to concrete, concrete to other masonry, concrete to steel, and concrete to wood or to other substances. Overlay expoxy resin coatings: used as a coating on concrete surfaces for skid protection or for patching damaged surface areas.
How deep should a crack be before applying sealant?from quikrete.com
NOTE: for large cracks over 1/2 inch deep , a backer rod should be placed in the crack before applying the sealant.
How long does epoxy paint cure?from inspectapedia.com
Vacuum and wipe the floor to remove any dust and apply the epoxy paint. This must cure for 12 to 24 hours, then you can apply a clear epoxy finish. Thanks for your tips.
What is polyurea joint filler?from inspectapedia.com
Polyurea joint filler products for concrete control joints have received attention for filling concrete control joints and is increasingly used in that application since this material is resistant to moisture, has high adhesion properties when used with concrete, and will cure in very cold weather.
What to use to seal concrete blocks?
Paint the cinder block wall with a thick coat of masonry waterproofing paint, pushing paint into cracks and crevices of block. A paint roller or brush made specifically for masonry is best. Allow to dry overnight or for a minimum of 12 hours between coats.
What is the best concrete block sealer?
Using RadonSeal Plus along with Ion-Bond Armor are the best concrete block sealers for use on cinder blocks and have proven foolproof for many frustrated homeowners!
Should you wet concrete blocks before laying?
Do not wet the blocks before installing them. Wet blocks expand, then shrink when they dry. If it rains or rain threatens, cover the blocks. Spread mortar only on the outside edges of the block (a technique called face-shell bedding), not on the cross web.
Do concrete blocks deteriorate?
If a block has not been properly cured, water can also infiltrate the interior of the block.
Do concrete blocks need to be rendered?
Standard texture Ultralite, Insulite and Dense Concrete blocks provide an excellent key for adhesion. These blocks have moderate suction and no special pre-treatment of the surface is normally required other than ensuring that all dust and debris is removed. Traditional renders should be applied in 2 coats.
Is there a waterproof cement?
characteristics. Waterproof cement is the name given to a portland cement to which a water-repellent agent has been added. Hydrophobic cement is obtained by grinding portland cement clinker with a film-forming substance such as oleic acid in order to reduce the rate of deterioration when the…
What to add to cement to make it stronger?
Add too much water and you’ll ruin the concrete. You can add more Portland cement to bagged concrete to make it stronger. You can also add hydrated lime. To make the strongest concrete, the sand should be sourced from volcanic lava that has a high silica content.
How to remove paint from concrete block?
Remove paint either mechanically (wire brushing, grinding, sand-blasting) or with use of a paint stripper. Brush off crumbling concrete, dust, and dirt. A minimal amount of light efflorescence can be removed with a wire brush or wire-wheel attachment. To best remove efflorescence, use RadonSeal Efflorescence Cleaner.
What is used to make concrete blocks?
Lower density blocks may use industrial wastes, such as fly ash or bottom ash as an aggregate instead of the sand or fine gravel used to make true concrete.
What causes soil buildup in concrete?
Extensive water seepage can carry soil and silt through the concrete and begin to plug the pores of the blocks making it harder for RadonSeal Plus and Ion-Bond Armor Elastomeric Concrete Sealer to properly waterproof the substrate. The telltale sign of soil buildup within the matrix of the block would be a brown or "reddish" color to the interior surface of the wall. The plugged pores of the blocks may prevent RadonSeal and Ion-Bond Armor from penetrating and reacting inside the concrete.
How does sealing cinder blocks help?
Sealing cinder blocks will extend their life by protecting them against water, the main enemy of concrete.
Why are cinder blocks used in construction?
There are builders that prefer cinder blocks because they are much easier to work with. Compared to a heavyweight concrete block, a typical cinder block weighs only 26-33 lbs. However, cinder blocks are more subject to moisture, water seepage, radon gas, salt deposits, and efflorescence (white powdery residue) problems because of their high porosity. Which is why they are generally used in interior non-moisture construction or outdoors for barrier walls, hardscape, and fences.
How many perms are in a cinder block?
Cinder blocks are classified as permeable to water and water vapor (+10 perms). Heavyweight concrete blocks are semi-permeable (5 perms) and less so when the hollow cores are filled and packed with a slurry mix of concrete (about 2 perms). In comparison to blocks, good quality, newly poured concrete foundation walls (8-10" in thickness) ...
Why does my basement get damp?
Water easily passing through the cracks in the mortar joints and pushing through the pores causing the walls to dampen inside the basement. If you have a wet basement , and the basement foundation walls are constructed with cinder block, they are much more likely to leak water compared to poured concrete walls.
History of Concrete Block
- Concrete has been used in construction since ancient times. It is made from a mixture of cement, aggregate and water. Poured concrete (the most common type of foundation in Chicagland) is formed (casted) onsite. Concrete block is concrete formed and hardened offsite in a manufacturing plant. The first house in the country built using concrete block was in 1837 on St…
Problems with Concrete Block Foundations
- Over time, soil and water pressure exerted against the foundation causes the mortar to break down and wear away. Consequently, water seeps through the exterior mortar joints and into the hollows of the block. The water trapped inside the block eventually leads to foundation seepage. It should be noted concrete block is porous by nature. It easily absorbs moisture, which can contri…
Concrete Block Waterproofing Solutions
- Exterior Waterproofing: Approaching the problem from the exterior (the “positive side”) seems to make the most sense to many people. We are all for it when applicable and necessary. One big draw back – COST! It takes a considerable amount of labor (money) to dig down to the base (footing) of your foundation wall. Once excavated, a waterproof membra...