8 Simple Tips for Waterproofing Your Exterior Walls
The exterior of your house is the first thing your guests will notice when they visit you. Hence, you need to ensure that it is well protected against humidity and moisture, especially before the monsoon arrives. If there is leakage in the exterior of your house and you don’t attend to it then soon you will notice the water seep into the inside walls and the expensive, antique furniture you have resting against these walls. Imagine the water trickling into your switchboard. Scary, right?
Waterproofing your exterior walls will ensure that these nightmares never turn into reality. If you don’t know how to go about waterproofing your walls, here are 8 handy tips that will ensure that your walls withstand dust, humidity and heavy rainfall.
1. Prep your walls
Before waterproofing your old, damaged walls, make sure that you wash them and remove the dirt, debris and moulds accumulated on them. After cleaning the walls, allow them to dry properly before you apply waterproofing paint.
2. Pay attention to the cracks
Cracks are one of the main causes of water leakage and dampening of walls. Inspect your walls for cracks and seal them properly. Don’t forget to even out the surface before you start with the painting. Another primary area that is susceptible to cracks is your terrace. Look for cracks in your terrace and fill them up with putty so that the water doesn’t seep into your inner walls through the roof. Ensure that you do this way before the monsoon begins as it will need a few days to dry completely.
3. Don’t skip caulking
Use caulk to seal the gaps around the windows, doors or wherever you have installed fixtures on the exterior walls. This step will ensure that water doesn’t seep from these gaps into the inside of the house.
4. Choose a waterproof paint that is dustproof
Waterproof paints accumulate dust and debris more than regular paints and hence it is recommended to choose a waterproof solution that is also dustproof.
5. Clean the terrace and balcony drains
If your terrace drains are clogged, then the rainwater will gather around them and soon your exterior walls will start dampening and it won’t dry out for a long time, especially during the monsoon. Regularly check the drains and ensure that they are unclogged and clean.
6. Use the right products
Once you have decided to waterproof your walls, the next step is to decide whether you want to opt for waterproofing paint or use other products like a concrete waterproofing coating or a concrete sealer. If you are waterproofing during construction, then opt for waterproofing paint as it will save you time. For waterproofing painted walls, you can consider going a concrete waterproofing coating or a sealer.
7. Don’t wait for your walls to get damaged
Don’t make the mistake of not waterproofing your walls during construction and waiting for the walls to start leaking before you consider waterproofing.
8. Take your time while waterproofing
Don’t rush while waterproofing and apply at least two or three coats correctly to ensure that your walls remain safe from moisture for many years. After applying the first coat, wait till it dries entirely before applying the next coat.
Remember if you skip waterproofing, ugly, puffy, damp walls are the least of your concerns. Mouldy, damp walls serve as a breeding area for moss, algae and fungus that can cause eye irritation, skin allergies and respiratory diseases.
Enhance the longevity of the exterior walls of your sanctuary by choosing Asian Paints waterproofing products that use new-age waterproofing chemicals and modern waterproofing technology.