I have cement floors and block walls in my basement. What should I use to waterproof it? -Chris

Hi Chris,

If the outer walls and floor of a basement were not properly waterproofed and sealed during construction, it can be hard to prevent excess moisture from getting inside. However, there are some pretty good sealers on the market you can try. Two that I came across recently that have some very impressive reviews are Sealmark and Sani-Tred. Both are companies that specialize in coatings to protect against water intrusion.

Using a sealer on your basement walls and floors is a 50/50 endeavor – 50% of the result is in the quality of the product, and the other 50% is in making sure you apply it correctly, so be sure to follow all instructions carefully.

There are a lot of elastomeric products that produce decent results, though you’ll probably need to apply waterproofing coatings again over time. The newer rubber/acrylic compounds have better lasting quality.

Good luck with your project,

Further Information

• What to Consider When Remodeling a Basement (video)
• Basement Renovation Tips for Your Home (video)
• How to Finish a Basement in Your Home (article)

Tags: , basement, seal

2 Comments on “Sealing the Walls and Floor of a Basement in Your Home”

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1. Betty Smith Says:
   September 14th, 2011 at 3:34 pm

   I have a direct applied eifs system on my house. It was built in 1996. It is failing. What is the best and cheapest way to restore it. Most ins. co will not insure eifs. Should I consider brick or maybe a brick tile for exteriors?

   Thank You

2. Dean Says:
   September 28th, 2011 at 3:18 pm

   Danny,

   I have heard that Sealmark offers exceptional products such as roof coatings and elastomeric coatings. Their website, http://www.sealmarkcoatings.com claims they have an elastomeric paint that comes with a 20 year warranty. Are there other elastomeric coatings out there with a 20 year warranty in its’ price range?

   Thanks Dean

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