A durable foundation is the cornerstone of any home, providing the support and level that the rest of your home relies on. However, most foundations share one ever-present weakness: Moisture. From fieldstone to poured concrete, foundations that absorb water through moist soil can crack, shift, and crumble from under your home. If you have a basement, moisture against the foundation can lead to damp walls and leaks.
Common problems include leaking, water damage, structural damage, and mold. Fortunately, there is also one simple solution to keep your foundation safe from excess moisture and the damage it can bring. Deco 20 Seal is a reliable and effective solution for waterproofing foundation walls.
Why Waterproofing House Foundation Is Important
As water accumulates around a foundation, it exerts tremendous hydrostatic pressure. Over extended periods, a combination of fluid mechanics degrades the foundation. Preventing serious long-term damage thus requires foundation wall waterproofing to prevent water from gradually compromising structural integrity.
Without waterproofing, minor foundational defects become serious cracks, causing leaks and shifting a structure’s load. This leads to further issues, weakening the foundation’s load-bearing capacities. Foundation waterproofing prevents these problems from developing or, when present, limits their progression.
Step-by-Step Guide to Waterproofing Foundation Walls with Deco 20 Seal
Waterproofing a foundation starts on the outside. The best way to prevent structural damage and internal leaks is to keep water from reaching the outer edge of your foundation. We can walk you through a step-by-step process to waterproof your foundation using Deco 20 Seal.
Prepare the Foundation
- Inspect: Thoroughly inspect your foundation to identify the source of any leaks or areas that have already suffered significant damage.
- Excavate: Excavate your foundation to reveal the full exterior wall. You want to clear out the dirt to the footing so you can waterproof the entire perimeter of your foundation.
- Clean: With the foundation exposed, give the stone a good scrubbing. Remove dirt, debris, and any existing barrier materials so the waterproof seal can adhere cleanly.
Deco 20 Seal Application
- Surface Preparation: Prepare your cleaned foundation surface by repairing any damage to create a smooth surface. For masonry foundations, repoint the mortar and fill in gaps that may have formed. Patch cracks and fill any chips or voids for solid concrete foundations to create a smooth surface. Wait for the repairs to dry and clean your foundation again.
- Application: Apply Deco 20 Seal with paint brushes or rollers, but the best application comes from an airless paint sprayer with a rate of 1.5 to 2 gallons per minute using a .531 or .631 spray tip and $30 mesh filters in the pump. Keep pressure between 1K and 2K PSI. Apply an even coat around the foundation, from the top to the base of the footer. If using brushes and rollers, apply two coats or one coat if you can achieve a 30-mil wet application on the first coat.
- Curing: The curing and drying processes are the same. Allow a full day for the cure before the process is considered complete.
Drainage and Grading
- Foundation waterproofing works best with other strategies to keep water from building up near your foundation. This is where drainage and grading come into play.Proper drainage and grading around the foundation to prevent water from accumulating against the walls so that it disperses into the soil instead.
- Install a french drain in the trench around your foundation before filling in the dirt so that water is carried away if it tries to accumulate in this space.
- You can also regrade the soil to encourage water flow away from the house.
Landscaping
- Landscaping can help protect your foundation from water damage by directing runoff away from the walls. Explore landscaping features like rain gardens, permeable pavers, and ground cover plants that will enjoy the moisture in the soil before it reaches your foundation.
Benefits of Using Deco 20 Seal
Why choose Deco 20 Seal for your foundation sealer? Exterior waterproofing is an important task, and you naturally want the best waterproof foundation solution to keep your home safe. Deco 20 Seal offers durability, flexibility, easy application, and a cost-effective solution for your entire foundation.
- Durability: Enjoy long-lasting protection with proven resistance to weathering and erosion.
- Flexibility: Deco 20 Seal can help to bridge cracks and is flexible enough to accommodate minor foundation movements based on the nature of your local soil. This provides continued protection where other solutions might crack.
- Ease of Application: Deco 20 Seal is easy and versatile, suitable for both DIY homeowners and professionals.
- Cost-Effective: Deco 20 Seal offers long-term cost savings as you prevent costly future repairs to the foundation.
- Superior Waterproofing: DECO 20 Seal achieves superior waterproofing and sealing for concrete (and brick) surfaces. An innovative, non-toxic, water/silicon-based formula penetrates the surface and creates an impenetrable membrane.
- Foundation Protection: Prevents foundation decay and leaks due to nonstructural cracks. Offers long-term protection from water damage, UV rays, mold, and water vapor.
- Efficiency and Affordability: Easy and fast application, potentially requiring a single coat. It is a more affordable and effective solution than the alternatives.
- Safety and Compliance: Non-toxic formula approved by the International Code Council. Tested to meet or exceed numerous ASTM and other technical standards.
- Seamless Protection: A continuous, seam-free coating along the entire foundation surface.
Expert Waterproofing Solutions for Your Home
Ready to waterproof your home’s foundation? Deco 20 Seal protects your foundation from moisture and water damage. Contact us for a free consultation or estimate on your foundation and the best waterproofing solutions.
Additionally, here are some more details from the original text that you can incorporate:
- DECO 20 Seal’s effectiveness: “DECO 20 Seal achieves superior waterproofing and sealing for concrete (and brick) surfaces. An innovative, non-toxic, water/silicon-based formula penetrates the surface and creates an impenetrable membrane.”
- DECO 20 Seal’s benefits: “Prevents foundation decay and leaks due to nonstructural cracks. Long-term protection from water damage, UV rays, mold, and water vapor. Easy and fast application, potentially requiring a single coat. It is a more affordable and effective solution than the alternatives. Non-toxic formula approved by the International Code Council. Tested to meet or exceed numerous ASTM and other technical standards. A continuous, seam-free coating along the entire foundation surface.”
- Deco Products’ commitment: “Deco Products is continually innovating commercial-grade sealing solutions that are at once: More affordable. More effective. Easier to apply.”