When exterior walls are exposed to rainwater or high humidity, water and moisture

can travel through the masonry and affect your internal walls. This means that your
walls may stay damp for a long time before drying, which may lead to mold growth
and irreparable damage. In humid areas like Florida, wall damage due to water
penetration isn’t a matter of IF, but a matter of WHEN.
How can you prevent water and mold from affecting your walls? By following the
next seven steps to waterproofing exterior walls.

1. Check walls for faults: Water pr oofing exter nal walls is the best solution
only if the walls become damp as a result of rainwater or moisture. Before
shopping around for waterproofing products, it’s important to eliminate any
other causes of structural dampness. It could be anything, from cracks in your
bricks or condensation within the wall to a burst water pipe. Once you fix the
issue, you can apply a waterproofer as a preventative measure.

2. Clean your gutter s: The problem with clogged gutters isn’t only that they
may flow over the edge, down your walls; they also retain rainwater, which is
gradually absorbed by the roof’s wood or fascia boards, potentially leading to a
series of problems, including rotten wood, leaks, and mold. You can avoid all
these and keep your home healthy by simply cleaning your gutters twice a
year.

3. Select the r ight water pr oofer : A series of waterproofing products are

available today to help homeowners protect their homes from external
moisture. Here are a few products you should consider:
  concrete waterproofing coating, which is a cement-like product that
adheres to concrete and masonry permanently; it can be applied to any
surface, including painted walls;
 silicate-based concrete sealer, which reacts with the ingredients in
masonry and concrete to form a waterproofing coating; this sealer can
only be used on unsealed/unpainted walls;
 waterproofing paint, which is similar to acrylic wall paint, with the
main difference that it delivers better waterproofing performance. It’s
very important to choose a breathable formulation that is especially
designed to allow walls to breathe and eliminate moisture. The product
can be applied to surfaces previously painted.

4. Use plaster water pr oofing additive: Plastering can help improve aesthetics,
make walls more solid, and protect them against moisture ingress. Though
most exterior plasters have waterproofing characteristics, you can eliminate
water infiltration problems and prevent reoccurrence by simply adding a
waterproofing admixture to the plaster.

5. Pr epar e your walls for water pr oofing: Irrespective of the product chosen for
water pr oofing exter ior walls, you have to bring your walls in good condition
first. This means that you need to use a good-quality filler to repair cracks and
patch holes. Allow the filler to dry optimally before grinding. Then sand away
rough, uneven areas, remove dust by cleaning the surface with water, and let
the walls dry completely to ensure a good adhesion between the waterproofer
and the substrate.

6. Apply the water pr oofer : You can use a roller or a brush to apply the
waterproofer. If a second coat is required, allow the first coat to fully dry and
then apply the second coat. Use enough product to create an impenetrable
barrier against infiltration.

7. Test: Conducting a water-tightness test is very important to evaluate the

effectiveness of the products used for water pr oofing exter ior walls. For this
test, water should be sprayed on the wall surface for a couple of hours, keeping
the nozzle at a 30-degree angle. Your home will pass the test only if a moisture
meter shows there is no moisture. By waterproofing exterior walls, you’ll not
only prevent serious damage but also boost the value of your home.