Weather Proofing Cement

[rite of passage]

We own a concrete block building in Pahoa. the walls are seeping water inside the building. We have tried dehumidifier and some other remedys but to no avail. Does any one have any suggestions on ways to seal the wall? We are also looking for someone potentially take on the job. If you are interested please give me a call or post...thaks brock 557-1799

[Rob Tucker]

There are cement coatings for waterproofing block and cement. One I called ThoroughSeal™ I believe. Honsador may carry it. It comes in bags and is mixed up with water and can be applied with a heavy brush.

Good luck.

[oink]

Where is the water comming from? I know it's been raining a lot, but that would be unusual even during a hurricane with sideways rain, unless we're talking basement. The first option would be to fix the water presence issue. I've had it blow up the eaves and then drain down the inside of the block and then seep onto the interrior floor, but again that was 100+ mph rain.

Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.

[Carey]

My first house was a block structure.... I used a water repellant coating stain that was good for concrete (I used Thompsons, but there are many other brands that are good at repelling water), it is good at keeping down the water vapor that can penetrate into the core of the block, but this will not do anything if you have hydrostatic (ie underground) water coming in, nor will it help if the water is finding a hole that penetrates the house envelope...
Be sure you are very sure about where the water is entering... it may not start anywhere near where you find the water... even things like roof leaks can look to be wall failures...

[David M]

Definitely find the source first.
Two products:
Drylok - available HD - about $20/gal I think
Endur-O-Seal - check online - more expense, but 20 yr warranty I think.

David

Ninole Resident

[rite of passage]

thanks for the tips....do you guys know anyone who might want to take on the job of sealing the building?

[EightFingers]

Is it actually coming through the wall or around it? I'm assuming the walls are above ground...

[rite of passage]

We are looking for someone to seal the building for us. Is any one interested or have any suggestions on who we could call for a quote?

mahalo

[Dave M]

ThoroughSeal™
Drylok -
Endur-O-Seal -

Just curious, due to the humiidity there. Would you use a primer also given the pourus nature of the blocks? Kind of a Hawaii question. I would probably preassure wash, prime and apply. Oh well, we'll all probably get kicked over to the building forum. []

Blessings,
dave

"It doesn't mean that much to me.. to mean that much to you." Neil Young

[Hotzcatz]

Put the sealer on the OUTSIDE of the walls, not the inside. Also, if there is dirt up against the wall, dig it out and put in a layer of large gravel with a perforated pipe at the bottom to drain the area out around the sides of the building. If the water has somewhere easier to go, it will go around your block walls instead of through them. If the walls have dirt up against them, you can also put a layer of plastic as well as the waterproofing compound between the walls and the dirt after the dirt is dug away.

As far as whom to call, I don't have any suggestions for you.

Is this a new building? Was it built by a contractor? Are they still in business?

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"I like yard sales," he said. "All true survivalists like yard sales."
Kurt Wilson