If you own a home, you know the struggle of a leaking basement or any part of your house for that matter.
Not knowing exactly where the leak is coming from or how to seal it correctly, is a huge inconvenience.
You may start thinking to yourself, “how in the world am I going to get this fixed?”
Or you may even be thinking “how much is this all going to cost me?”
According to a study done by Home Advisor, fixing cracks in your foundation can cost up to $10,000.
Leaks can be costly and unpredictable, and unless you have a reliable and highly-effective waterproofing solution, you may end up spending thousands of dollars to seal your leak.
We’ve seen pretty much every type of leak you can have, so we know what you’re going through and some of the concerns you probably have.
Here is our guide to show you exactly what you should be looking for when looking for the best waterproofing for concrete.
Understanding How Waterproofing Concrete Works
Before you can know how to spot the best waterproofing for concrete, it’s important to understand exactly how it works.
Waterproofing consists of making either a specific object or structure water-resistant to eliminate the penetration of water.
When your basement or any other part of your home is constructed it is waterproofed with the use of membranes and coatings which protects the structural integrity.
So without getting too technical with you about exactly how membranes work, we’re just going to give you a quick and dirty breakdown of exactly what it is.
What Is A Concrete Waterproofing Membrane?
Waterproofing membrane is a layer of material that is water-tight and is used to prevent leaks that lead to damage.
The material is composed of pre-formed sheet membranes that can be installed around a foundation (structural slab) to prevent water making its way into the structure.
Here is a live example from one of our commercial projects.
Here is what a structure looks like before it is waterproofed.
Here is what it looks like after it’s waterproofed
Not only is there a visual difference (smoother appearance) but there’s also an underlying change to the foundation, which is where it really counts.
There are also a number of benefits to waterproofing including:
- Structure strengthening
- Water and damage protection
- Protection from mold
- Saving time and money
Now that you know what a waterproofing membrane is and how it works, let’s get into our favorite waterproofing element.
Our Favorite Waterproofing Element
Our company The Basement Kings, has been operating well over 15 years and we’ve used every type of waterproofing possible on every type of foundation that exists.
We work on projects ranging from basements to commercial properties and there has been one type of waterproofing that has NEVER failed us and that is crystalline waterproofing.
What Is Crystalline Waterproofing And How Does It Work?
Crystalline waterproofing is technology that consists of the formation of crystals to make concrete structures completely watertight.
It works on a catalytic reaction and prevents the natural movement of water by plugging the natural pores, microcracks and capillaries that water seeps through.
The pores are blocked by long, narrow crystals that remain in the concrete and continue to grow when moisture is present.
Because this type of waterproofing has the ability to reactivate when water or moisture is present, it contributes to a concrete’s ability to self-heal.
In short, this means you don’t have to continuously waterproof your structure because the healing and water resistance is from within and is continuously at work.
This has saved businesses and homeowners hundreds of thousands of dollars because once you waterproof once, you’re protected for good.
What Are The Benefits Of Crystalline Waterproofing?
While every waterproofing product is created with the intention of blocking water from the structures it is applied to, not all of them are as effective as they claim.
There are a few different kinds of waterproofing including:
- Silicone sealant
- Membrane waterproofing
- Elastomeric coating
- EIFS (Exterior Insulated Finished System)
But despite all of the advantages of these different waterproofing types, they just don’t quite compare to the benefits of crystalline waterproofing.
Easy Application
Crystalline waterproofing comes in a powdered form that easily mixes with water and can be easily spread across concrete using a paint brush.
Pro Tip: Always make sure that the concrete that you’re waterproofing is thoroughly wet but do not soak the area.
Once enough water is applied the powder will become a thick paste. It may also start to become hot and this is due to the chain reaction that the chemicals have when mixed with water.
This chemical creates an extremely powerful water barrier that fills concrete pores to protect from water penetrating the surface.
Continuous Protection
Crystalline is one of the only waterproofing products that provides continuing protection over an extended period of time.
Not only does it provide protection but that protection increases as time goes on through the self-healing technology that crystalline has.
The potency of crystalline allows for only a small segment of it to be used for maximum crystal development. Every time a new crack is formed, it triggers new crystal growth which fills and seals the crack.
We have a full pdf demonstration on how exactly our waterproofing is applied.
Reliable
Imagine having waterproofing that is completely impenetrable to deterioration or any physical damage.
That is exactly what crystalline waterproofing offers for its users. It is also hypoallergenic and includes no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It can also be used in a multitude of different places and structures such as:
- Pipelines
- Tunnels
- Bridges
- Garage structures
- Marine structures
Crystalline is most powerful when exposed to areas with high-hydrostatic pressure.
Elongation
Elongation is the capability of a membrane to stretch. It is a very important component to have in bigger buildings that are made of steel because of its flexibility.
This specific type of waterproofing allows for the membrane to stretch over cracks that may be created in the future for a number of different reasons.
Saves Money
This is probably one of the best benefits for homeowners. Consistent waterproofing can become costly.
Being that crystalline waterproofing continues to expand long after it is originally applied, means there’s no need for continuous maintenance and with it being both tear and abrasion-resistant, ensures that your structure will be protected for a very long time.
Moving Forward With A Permanent Waterproofing Solution
You landed on this guide looking for the best waterproofing for concrete.
With our company having tested dozens upon dozens of different waterproofing, we know exactly which brands to endorse and which to stay far away from.
We work on a lot of residential and commercial properties and have serviced every type of leak you can think of.
After years of trial and error we found that the best type of waterproofing for concrete is crystalline.
The affordable cost combined with the numerous benefits makes crystalline waterproofing our top pick by a long shot.
We hope this guide was able to point you in the right direction in finding a solution your waterproofing needs.
