Your walls build up the foundation of your happy home. However, you need to pay special attention to your house’s exterior walls because the weather out there will not be polite enough with them. Painting your wall is not enough to make it waterproof. No matter how costly the paint is, it will start peeling off with time after dealing with rainwater, snow, wind, dust, and heat of the outside environment.
Thus, waterproofing is the best way to ensure that your walls are protected and retain your house’s longevity. At the same time, it is vital to reduce your frequent renovation cost. So, here are some of the simple steps for providing effective waterproofing solutions to your home.
Damp carpets and beneath wall coverings can be the most prominent place for mold and mildew growth. Finishing a basement without first dealing with the moisture problems can make health conditions worse and lead to significant damage. Interior waterproofing systems, installed by a professional contractor, can keep the moisture away throughout the home.
Step 1: Properly expose the outside part of the wall
To start with waterproofing your exterior walls, make sure it is properly exposed to work on. Your house walls possess a lot of dirt, which creates an additional layer over the wall. Get rid of all the filth and dust from the walls. And before doing so, remove all the drainage pipes and the old field tiles to get proper access to every corner and area of the wall.
Step 2: Thoroughly clean the walls
The exterior part of your home’s wall usually deals with a lot of dust and dirt carried by air, which gradually sticks onto the outer part. So, you need to clear off the debris and dust thoroughly to ensure the efficiency of the entire process. Use a broom, brush, or sandpaper to clean the dirt and debris away. Then finish it off with cleaning through a power washer.
Step 3: Check out for the cracks and fill them up
Over time your exterior walls can develop cracks and holes. To ensure proper weatherproofing, follow up the cleaning process with a thorough finding of all the cracks and holes on your wall. Then merely fill them up with hydraulic cement.
Most of the homeowners get worried about cracks in the foundation. But the fact is, not all foundation cracks affect the home’s structural integrity. Sometimes cracks can be caused by shrinkage during the concrete curing process. These unsightly, non-structural shrinkages, commonly known as hairline cracks, don’t put your home in immediate danger. But on the other hand, structural cracks are serious business.
All over the internet and TV you find websites and programs with step-by-step guides of DIY foundation repair. But the truth is that a foundation should not be experimented on in a DIY project. Foundation repair requires years of experience and specialized tools. When it comes to foundation repair, contact a foundation repair expert.
Hydraulic cement mixture penetrates inside the cracks and seals them properly. Also, make sure you remove all the loose cement from the wall before applying the hydraulic cement.
Step 4: Add a layer of cement waterproofing sealer
To ensure the proper application and durability of waterproofing on your wall, you need to apply the cement waterproofing sealer. After applying the hydraulic cement in the walls’ crevices, let it dry properly, then thoroughly apply the waterproof paint sealer available for the exterior walls. After that, allow it to become dry properly.
Step 5: Pick the right water-proofer
There is an array of waterproofing products that are available in the market. You need to pick the right one that goes with the type of your wall. Whether it is a concrete wall or a silicate-based one, select the water-proofer accordingly.
You can either choose a concrete waterproofing coating, waterproofing paint, or a silicate-based concrete sealer. Additionally, pick a plaster waterproofing additive that will add strength to your waterproofed walls.
Step 6: Apply the water-proofer
Either with the help of a roller or brush, apply the water-proofer thoroughly on the walls. If you want to apply more than one layer, then give a thin coat initially. Let the first coating dry properly, and then add the second one.
Step 7: Apply tar and heavy-duty membrane
Once you are done with the drying of the cement waterproofing sealer, you need to use a tar-based pitch to add more strength to the layering. Apply it everywhere on your exterior wall.
After that, you need to apply a heavy-duty plastic or rubber membrane for waterproofing, which will ensure the proper care of your walls. Pick a thin membrane and lay it over the pitch near the footer, and cover it throughout the outer part of the wall.
Step 8: Consider adding gravel
Below the footer, you need to consider a proper base for the trench to lay the drainage pipes. A ¾-inches gravel base is going to give adequate support to the drainage pipes. Opt for gravel, which is long-lasting and provides enhanced protection.
Then, you need to lay the perforated drainage pipe-cover, along with the gravel. Near the footer, level the position of the gravel and then back-fill it. Ensure a covering for the pipe for at least 3-inches.
Step 9: Add a fabric barrier
Secure the perforated pipe, along with a fabric barrier. Ensuring a fabric barrier is going to prevent the formation of dirt and not let your system clog. Then merely back-fill the dirt into the trench and build the top of the dirt relatively high and allow it to settle for some time. Once you are done, slope the ground away from your walls for the run-off.
Conclusion:
Good waterproofing gives your home a new life and enough strength to deal with the outside weather-related issues. So, if you want good waterproofing solutions for your walls, Magicrete is here to help you. Magicrete offers you proper weatherproofing at a very low and affordable price with extensive quality service.