Winter is a harsh season for your outdoor spaces and surfaces, particularly hardscapes like concrete driveways, sidewalks, patios, and other similar surfaces. Concrete is a durable material, but it’s not completely immune to the side effects of freezing temperatures, ice, or snow.
To protect your hardscapes from winter damage and ensure they will last for many years to come, it is important to take steps to prepare them for the colder months ahead. One of the best ways to do this is through concrete waterproofing.
In this blog, we will discuss the basics of concrete waterproofing, the benefits it offers, and steps you can take to properly apply and maintain it.
Why is Protecting Hardscapes So Important?
Your hardscapes may seem like they aren’t that important since they’re outside, but the truth is that they play a huge role in your waterproofing as well. Hardscapes are designed to serve a purpose, and if they are not maintained well, they could fail.
Hardscapes also often provide barriers to help with water runoff and prevent excess moisture from finding its way into your basement. During the winter months, these concrete is more vulnerable; you need to make repairs and protect them to the best of your ability.
Concrete Waterproofing Basics
Concrete waterproofing is vital because it’s a simple step that helps to protect your investment. You can use concrete for so many things outside, from block walls to driveways and everything in between. But if you want these things to last, you have to protect them.
Waterproofing your hardscapes or your basements can have a lot of benefits. These are the primary benefits:
- Resist mold or stains on concrete
- Increase the value of your home
- Reduce maintenance or repair needs and costs
- Strengthen the concrete structure
Preparing Concrete Surfaces for Waterproofing
Before concrete can be waterproofed, it is important to prep the surface. If the concrete isn’t cleaned and prepared before applying waterproofing solutions, it will not work as effectively.
The best way to clean concrete is to power wash it. This will help wash away any dirt or debris from the surface. Then, you should also take steps to fill in cracks or holes as well. This reinforces those weak places before you seal them with waterproofing materials.
Applying Concrete Waterproofing
Concrete waterproofing can be done in several different ways. However, Drycrete uses two basic techniques:
- Drylok – a coating applied to repel water and stop hydrostatic pressure occurrences.
- Crystalline Waterproofing – crystalline technology in which crystals that have be added to water grow and seal when they enter cracks or pores in the concrete
Every type of concrete waterproofing material has to be sealed carefully and used in the proper ways for it to work accordingly. Hiring an experienced professional will always be beneficial.
Maintaining Concrete Waterproofing
If you want to keep those hardscapes working effectively and looking their best, maintaining them properly is vital. For the most part, you can utilize basic concepts for maintenance purposes.
However, you should always be aware of things that you can do to keep them working without replacement even longer.
Take the time to clean your surfaces regularly. You don’t have to do this daily or even monthly, but a couple of times a year is a good idea. When you clean them, be sure to inspect for damages or changes in the surfaces.
You may need to reapply waterproofing products at intervals as time goes on as well.
Let Us Help with Your Concrete Waterproofing Needs
Drycrete Waterproofing has more than 12 years of experience in the waterproofing industry. Whether you need block wall repair, waterproofing solutions, or another related project, we can help!
Contact us today to request a quote and get your waterproofing needs handled.