You put a lot of effort into making your home perfect. Maybe you searched for months before finally buying one, or you painstakingly worked with a contractor to build your own. Sadly, you’ve spotted a crack and it looks like all that perfection is going out the window unless you can find a sustainable solution. You need the best exterior foundation waterproofing systems. Congratulations because you’ve found it! In this article, we’ll be sharing some awesome products that will suit your needs just fine. Read on to learn more.
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Guide to Choosing the Best Exterior Foundation Systems for Waterproofing
Waterproofing is obviously a critical repair. If you do it wrong, you could end up with bad leakages in your home, garage, or anywhere else. To prevent this, look out for these three qualities in any foundation waterproofing system you buy.
Elongation
Elongation is a property of waterproofing membranes where they expand and thin out to cover more space. This property makes the membrane able to self-repair and seal leaks long after the first application. The best products offer between 900 and 1000% elongation which is awesome.
Ease of Application
You should look out for membranes that can be applied without any external help. We’ve featured many products on this list where all you need is a paint roller or a sprayer. Try to avoid anything that takes a lot of effort to apply. Additionally, look out for products that are eco-friendly because they are safer to use around your home.
Color
For many people, color isn’t a problem. Since you’re only fixing cracks and crevices, the sealant color won’t show as much. However, if you want things to be perfectly even, go for a membrane that offers multiple colors.
Top 15 Best Exterior Foundation Waterproofing Systems
Now that you know what you’re looking for, let’s review some of the best products available right now. We’ve handpicked all of these to meet the requirements we discussed earlier.
Star Brite Waterproofing Spray, Waterproofer + Stain Repellent + UV Protection
First on our list is this waterproofing solution that does the job of 3 different products. What’s more, it’s not just great for waterproofing basements and foundation systems; you can also use it on boat covers, bimini tops, and even boots. Star Brite doesn’t change the breathability, color, or even feel of a fabric.
1 Gallon of this product can be used for up to 465 square space of coverage. If you dilute it, the product can even cover more distance. However, note that the manufacturer recommends using the product as is to avoid reducing the strength. If you must dilute, use mineral spirits.
Gorilla Waterproof Patch & Seal Tape
There are several ways to achieve the same result, and here we have a 10-foot roll of gorilla waterproof tape. You may already be familiar with other gorilla products, like their glue which is one of the strongest on the market. We checked, and you can expect the same reliability from this product.
The seal tape creates a permanent bond that instantly seals out air, water, and even moisture. It takes waterproofing to a whole other level. It is also extra thick so that there’s an extra layer for adhesion and UV resistance. You can use the Gorilla Waterproof Patch & Seal Tape to fix leaks, repair your roof, and even patches in your foundation.
Laticrete Waterproofing Membrane Fabric
Like the Gorilla waterproof seal tape, this product also has the benefit of being easily manipulated. It comes in a roll so you can lay it in oddly shaped areas and still have the maximum efficacy. One package contains enough membrane fabric to cover 300 square feet of space.
It is most effective when paired with a hydro barrier. Alone, the membrane is thin, load-bearing, and designed to work with ceramic tiles, stone, and brick installations. It also has a self-curing rubber polymer that’s highly resistant to scratches.
RadonSeal Plus Deep-Penetrating Concrete Sealer
Do you have a leak in your concrete but it’s way down where membrane fabrics can’t reach? Well, don’t worry because the RadonSeal Plus is just what you need. It is a concrete sealer that can penetrate concrete up to 4 inches and internally seal the matrix.
This blocks the micro-pores to prevent capillary water seepage and keep your house dry. This product is perfect for use on basement floors, interior basement walls, foundation walls, and even slab-on-grade concrete. It also has a money-back guarantee so you can trust its performance.
5 GAL Armor AR350 Solvent Based Acrylic Wet Look Concrete Sealer
As the name suggests, this product is as strong as armor for your concrete. The sealer is manufactured by Foundation Armour Store, which manufactures some of the strongest building and repair products you’ll ever come across.
The Armor AR350 is manufactured in the US, self primed and can be used on any unsealed surface, from concrete to paver. You can also use it on previously sealed surfaces where a solvent-based acrylic sealer was used. So what makes it so special? Well, it can last up to 3 years on outside surfaces, and up to 7 years on inside surfaces.
LastiSeal Brick & Concrete Sealer
LastiSeal is so confident in this product that they are offering a 15-year warranty! And judging by the sheer number of positive Amazon reviews, we’d say it lives up to the promise. The concrete sealer is water-based, environmentally friendly, and non-toxic. It is also safe around plants and pets and can be easily applied.
What we love the most about this product is that it protects everything from bricks and concrete to wood and masonry. You may be thinking, “what exactly does it protect from?” Besides sealing, it also protects against freeze-thawing, spalling, and dusting.
RainGuard Water Sealers CR-0357 Micro-Seal Ready to USE
At its core, this product is a masonry sealer that protects, resorts, and extends the life of any masonry you use it on. The coating is hydrophobic and can be applied horizontally or vertically. Guess now you know why it’s called “Rain Guard.”
You can also use it as a sealant spray. If you use it as a primer before painting, it can stop moisture from transferring and ruining your structures. It is also resistant to salt spray and ice removal agents, which makes it perfect for cold areas. The manufacturer is offering a 10-year satisfaction guarantee.
RadonSeal Concrete Foundation Crack Repair Kit (10 ft)
This concrete repair kit can seal for up to 10 feet, but that’s not even the best part. The best part is that you don’t need any additional tools whatsoever. The low-pressure injector can push the sealant as far as you need it to go, so you don’t need a drill. This kit is also perfect for fixing hairline cracks because of its low viscosity and urethane composition.
Another great thing about this is that it’s permanent. Once you apply it, you can reap the benefits for a long time to come. It keeps the treated area impervious to water seepage permanently.
AMES BMX5RG 5 Gallon Blue Max Liquid Rubber
This product comes in a 5-gallon pail that’s enough to cover 100 square feet, so that’s already a plus. There are other perks as well, like the fact that it’s VOC-free and environmentally friendly. The AMES Blue Max Liquid Rubber is also a high-strength elastomeric liquid which makes it perfect for waterproofing basement interiors and exteriors.
To get the best results, the manufacturer suggests ensuring a uniform application throughout the surface. If you do this, the result is impervious to water and will last up to 10 years.
Liquid Rubber Color Waterproof Sealant
Off the bat, this product already has an edge over most of the others on this list. It comes in several colors, from light gray to hunter green. That allows you to match whatever surface you want to cover. And what’s more is that the Liquid Rubber Color Waterproof Sealant doubles as a protective finish for roofs, boats, and even sheds.
While applying, you’ll observe that it’s highly flexible and durable. That’s because the final membrane has over 1000% elongation that prevents adhesion failure. Looking for more reasons to love this product? Well, we’ve got you covered. It is environmentally friendly and can cover 30 square feet with a single gallon.
RainGuard Water Sealers SP-40005 Concrete Sealer
The rain Guard water sealer helps you prevent water damage as a result of rain, snow, and ice for up to 5 years. We also love that the product doesn’t alter the surface appearance in any way, and neither does it leave a surface film. You can basically keep your surface as beautiful as it was before the application.
This product also has advanced UV stabilizers that prevent it from yellowing or breaking down. It can be applied with a sprayer, roller, or brush, and it’s safe for your pets, plants, and other people.
Concrete Joint & Crack Fill
The concrete joint & crack fill is a simple product. It seals up cracks and waterproofs your foundation. The application time depends on the surface you’re sealing and how thick your coat is. However, you can expect a flexible dry time of around 20 minutes. This product can be used on concrete and asphalt VOC.
We also love how flexible the product is because it works regardless of the weather you’re working with. If you’re sealing a basketball court in full sunlight or a concrete slab in the middle of winter, it will dry just fine and give you a solid waterproof layer.
IWS Water Proof (1 Gallon) Waterproofing Coating
If you’re applying a waterproof coating around your house, you naturally expect a few features. For example, it should have a low odor, be water-based, and not require any specialized equipment to use apply. The good news is that the IWS Water Proof Coating does all this and more.
One awesome feature of this product is that it self-heals. So when punctured or cut, the material contracts to fill up the new space. That way, you’re sure of 100% waterproofing at all times. It also has exceptional durability and 1000% elongation. When applied, the IWS Water Proof Coating will stick to most clean surfaces including concrete, metal, wood, and rubber.
Liquid Rubber Concrete Foundation and Basement Sealant
We saved the best for last with this product. It is one of Amazon’s top choices for the best exterior foundation waterproofing systems and you’re about to find out why. Firstly, it provides remarkable protection for foundations, ICFs, basements, and even shower liners. The product is also highly flexible with self-healing properties and a 50sq feet coverage per coat.
But that’s not all. The Liquid Rubber Concrete Foundation and Basement Sealant is also easy to apply because it doesn’t need any priming for mixing. You also don’t need specialized equipment; a brush, roller, or high-quality piston paint sprayer will do.
Conclusion
So those are our top recommendations for the best exterior foundation waterproofing systems. But before you start applying, here are two tips that can really help you to get the most out of the process. Firstly, ensure that the surface is fully cured. You want to remove loose materials, debris, and dust because these can weaken the membrane. Secondly, Be sure to apply the membrane in a thick enough consistency. The last thing you want to do is spread it too thin. Doing so will weaken the seal and may even lead to leakages.