Carpet staircase leading down to basement

Basement Sealing

Time To Complete

48 hours

Difficulty Level

Beginner

Products Needed

Waterproofing your basement can help keep moisture away. Usually a result of water pooling around your foundation, basement water damage can easily be avoided with the application of the Foundation Sealant/Basement Coating.

What You'll Need

Prepping Your Space

Step-By-Step Walkthrough

What You'll Need

Products You'll Need

*Foundation Sealant and Color Waterproof Sealant are not to be combined. Use one or the other.

Foundation Sealant/Basement Coating

Color Waterproof Sealant

Multi-Purpose Epoxy Primer

Geo-Textile

Purchase Everything You Need For This Project

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Prep Your Basement

Get Your Supplies Ready

A successful project starts with preparation. Make sure you have all the supplies and products you need with our supply checklist.

Download Supply Checklist

Clean Your Space

Inspect surface to ensure it is structurally sound, clean, dry and free of contaminants. Fill any cracks joints, voids that are 1/8” or larger with a patching material like wood filler, concrete patch or expansion joint caulking. Use Liquid Rubber Caulking for gaps and cracks. Concrete: For deep cracks, fill with a Crack Injection Kit – consult a professional if needed to ensure there is no structural damage. Wood: Make sure any organic matter is removed using Deck and Patio Cleaner. Secure raised nail heads, screws and/or loose boards. Remove any loose/flaking material if already coated. Do a test patch to confirm proper adhesion.

Contain the Mess

Set out a tarp or large piece of cardboard to keep all tools and containers on when you are not using them. Have a pail of soap and water, rags and mineral spirits ready in case there is a spill. If a spill happens, use rags to soak it up, cleaning immediately with soap and water. If it is dried, use a razor/scraper to remove. Use mineral spirits to weaken the material and remove with a wire brush or grinder.

*Note: Use mineral spirits sparingly.

Step-By-Step Project Walkthrough

Tip From The Pros:

FOR EXTRA ADHESION, PERFORMANCE AND LONGEVITY AND TO CREATE A MOISTURE VAPOR BARRIER, USE 1 HEAVY COAT OF MULTIPURPOSE PRIMER.

Prepare Your Space and Gather Your Materials

Make sure your surface is totally clean, dry and free of all matter.

Detail Work

For cracks less than 3mm (1/8”), cold-joints, non-monolithic inside/outside corners, pipes, wall/slab, wall/footing and wall/wall junctures, apply a thick thick 6’’ wide coat and embed 4’’ wide GeoTextile reinforcement fabric followed by a second coat (known as the 3 Course Method). For all cracks greater than 3mm (1/8’’) fill with backer rod, spray foam, expansion joint caulking, or Liquid Rubber Caulking prior to 3 Course Method. Ensure the surface is smooth and flush and that patching materials have cured as per manufacturers recommendation prior to application of your Liquid Rubber Solution.

Masking

Tape-off, block-off, or otherwise mask areas that are not to receive your selected sealant. Remove tape while Sealant is still wet.

Apply Coating

Apply your selected sealant when temperature is 5°C/41°F or 10°C/50°F as per product recommendation and rising. Use a brush, roller or appropriate sprayer at a final thickness of 20-30 mil (0.5-0.75 mm). Generally, you can apply 2 heavy coats per day. Apply next coat when dry to the touch, is uniform in color and nothing is wet underneath. Tacky is OK. Apply all recommended material. Membrane should be a minimum of 12” above finished grade and down to the base of the slab/ footing. Apply at a coverage rate of 1 gallon per 50 sq ft (4.6 sq/m) to achieve a damp-proof coating that will continue to allow vapor transfer. Inspect for pinholes, blisters, voids, thin spots or other defects. Repair as necessary

Tip From the Pros:

Apply each coat in an alternate direction to the last coat to ensure even coverage.

Inspect & Protect

Inspect for pinholes, blisters, voids, thin spots or other defects. Repair as necessary. Allow 24-48 hours to dry as per product specific recommendation.

Clean Up

Remove tape while coating is still wet and close container to secure leftover product. If spillage occurs, soak up as much material as possible with rags. Clean immediately with soap and water. If spill is dried, scrape off as much as possible with a razor or scraper. Use mineral spirits to weaken product and an appropriate tool such as a wire brush or grinder to mechanically remove. If splashed on the skin immediately wash thoroughly with fresh water. If the product has dried on the skin massage the area with medical grade mineral oil, baby oil or edible oil, then wash with soap and water. If irritation persists seek medical attention.