waterproofing cellar with drylock?
Are there any professionals out there who can weigh in on drylock or thoroseal to waterproof a cellar whose foundation is stone. The walls and adjacent floor (dirt/concrete) can get damp during heavy rains; the foundation is damp up to the ground level. But there are rarely puddles. I note that all the waterproofers around use this stuff, but I was told once that it causes deterioration to seal masonry because it can’t breathe. So many brownstones have their rear brick walls coated in thoroseal. And any tips?
rebox
in Brownstoner Renovation 13 years and 8 months ago
5
Please log in, in order to post replies!
5 replies
gowanawana | 13 years and 6 months ago
We were going to use drylock to waterproof the basement, but like others said, in order to properly waterproof, you must do it from the outside. I am blogging about it here http://mybrooklynstory.wordpress.com/
pspc | 13 years and 8 months ago
has anyone used this stuff on the **inside of the basement wall** in an recent extension? I’m getting water coming in when it’s a big storm and ground is saturated. Basement wall was not waterproofed on the outside properly, but too late and expensive to rip out neighbor’s concrete deck and stairs to do properly.
Arkady | 13 years and 8 months ago
I used to have leakage but put a french drain in the garden 24 years ago & basement is now dry. Walls had a bloom on them so I thorosealed 20 years ago & have had no problems since.
BrooklynButler | 13 years and 8 months ago
I wouldn’t do it. All it’s going to do is block the water from leaving the stone once it enters. Two things might happen. In a few years you might have some stone spolling. Or, the water will migrate into another part of your building (i.e. come up through the floor.) I know that you see a lot of rear elevations coated in that stuff. In my experience the people who sell those coating have a real song-and-dance about how great the stuff is and how you’ll never have any problems once you use it. Unfortunately, once you do use the stuff you’re really stuck. Short of rebuilding the elevation, you can’t remove it. If I were really interested in keeping out basement water, I would invest in a real drainage system (French drain, sump pump, etc.) and not rely on a coating. Just my $.02.
jockdeboeraia | 13 years and 8 months ago
It might help but not in the long run. Waterproofing needs to be put on the outside to be done properly.