Using DryLok in a wet basement

DryLok is a coating used as protection for wet basement walls. When it’s applied, this coating fills the porous materials used for building the walls and prevents any possible leakages. You can buy it under powder form or already mixed and ready to be applied.

Beside wet basement walls, people use DryLok also for birdbaths and fish ponds. A great thing about it is that it can be found in more than one color.

Finding the cause

The cause can be found out by doing a simple test. This will show you if your problem is because of condensation or seepage. You have to tape some foil on the wall and leave it there for a few days. When it’s time to take the foil off, you will see which part is wet. If it’s the one that was touching the wall then it’s seepage but if the other part is wet then surely you have to deal with condensation. You may sometimes need to deal with both problems. In this case, DryLok won’t be too useful.

How to clean the wall

Before applying DryLok, the wall should be carefully cleaned. Using a stiff wire brush, remove any piece of loose debris and mortar. If the surface is not smooth, then the coating won’t stick. This is why you should prepare the surface well before starting working with DryLok.
Fixing holes and cracks

Any hole in the wall should be filled with filler or putty. Start by cutting a V shape in the crack and fill it with putty. This method will solve the problem forever.

How to prepare DryLok

After you give DryLok a good stir, you can start painting the wall preferable with a stiff bristled brush. Using this tool, all the holes will be filled with DryLok. In case you don’t have a stiff bristled brush, you can trim a normal one all the way to full stiffness.

Applying a second coat

Check the wall and see if the first coat is fully dry. If this has already happen, you can apply a second coat of DryLok. All windows and doors should be opened while the paint is drying because otherwise nasty fumes will fill the room.

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