How Does Basement Waterproofing Paint Work?

Basement waterproofing paint is one of the largest misrepresentations in the foundation repair industry. It is also the one product with the largest advertising budget backing it. This paint is marketed and sold to homeowners as a do-it-yourself waterproofing system. But before you run to your local hardware store, make sure you understand exactly what waterproofing paint does, and what it is best for.

The idea behind this product is simple, seal the wall and no more leak. The problem is that sealing the interior of the wall does not prevent the leak. What it really does is trap the water inside the wall. It is doing nothing to prevent the water from getting into the wall at all. Without addressing the leak, and its cause, how can we consider this a waterproofing repair.

A fresh coat of basement waterproofing paint creates a reservoir inside the block foundation wall. This reservoir then fills with water as the leak continues. The pressure caused by excessive water trapped in the wall is what causes the paint to pop, or bubble off the wall.

So, what is basement waterproofing paint good for? It has excellent adherence properties to block and cement. The best use for it is to waterproof the exterior of a wall before backfilling. It is used nationwide as an exterior coating on new block additions. It doesn’t replace the need for drainage, but does have some water resistance value. It can also cover stains and patches that have been made to walls. We often recommend using this product after a repair has been completed. It does a wonderful job making the wall more aesthetically pleasing. The latter is why many homes on the market have fresh basement waterproofing paint on the walls.

If you are buying a home, the first thing to look for is fresh waterproofing paint. It usually is a sign that there was a leak, and nothing was done to fix it.
If you have a leak, the first step is to investigate and locate the source of the leak. Covering up the leak with waterproofing paint without fixing the leak is like putting a Band-Aid over a bullet hole.