Waterproofing Foundation Walls: A Step-by-Step Guide for Homeowners

Waterproofing your home's foundation walls is an important task to ensure your home stays safe, dry and structurally sound. Whether you're a homeowner looking to protect your property from water damage, or a contractor looking to provide quality services to your clients, this guide provides a step-by-step guide to waterproofing foundation walls and protecting your home from water damage.

We'll cover the importance of waterproofing, the materials needed, the most effective techniques and methods, and how to ensure that your foundation walls are properly protected. So, if you're looking for the definitive guide to waterproofing foundation walls, look no further!

The Importance of Waterproofing Foundation Walls

Foundation walls serve as the base of your home's structure, protecting it from the natural elements, such as rain and snow, and providing a solid foundation for the rest of your home's framing. However, these walls can be susceptible to water damage, if they aren't properly protected. Water damage can be caused by a variety of issues, such as extreme weather conditions, poor construction and even shifting soil. 

One of the most common and dangerous causes of water damage to your foundation walls is the flow of groundwater, which can seep into the cracks or joints of your foundation walls, leading to costly repairs. As water seeps into your foundation walls, it can cause significant damage, including shifting and cracking of the walls and dangerous mold and mildew growth, which is not only harmful to your health, but can also lead to significant structural damage, and costly repairs.

Materials Needed for Waterproofing

Waterproofing your foundation walls will require a specialized application of liquid rubber that creates a waterproof membrane. Look no further than Liquid Rubber Color Sealant, a voc-free, nontoxic application that creates waterproof membrane after several applications of heavy coats.

Make sure you measure the area that you’re going to waterproof to ensure that you order the right amount of product for this task. And before you get started, you'll also want to ensure that you have the right gear. This includes: gloves, roller or sprayer, ladder, goggles, plastic paint tarps, paint tape, old clothing you don’t mind staining, and the free time to get this DIY job done. 

Getting the Job Done

Once you’re ready to get started, make sure that your walls are prepared. This means removing the baseboards, and exposing the full wall surface for adequate waterproofing. Next, give the Color Sealant a good mixing with your paint stick. Using your roller, brush or spray, apply it in even, heavy coats. Allow for 6-8 hours of drying/curing time in between coats. Generally speaking, you’ll be able to apply 1-2 coats per day. Ideally, you’ll want 3-5 heavy coats of the Color Sealant to create a true waterproof membrane and barrier for your foundation walls. 

Liquid Rubber is the preferred solution for many homeowners and DIY enthusiasts, with easy-to-apply products and video tutorials that help you get the best results. Browse our online catalog to see our products, and easily order all the supplies we've featured here for your own basement waterproofing project.