By sealing cinder blocks early on, you can help further waterproof the blocks. It will extend their life by protecting them against water and efflorescence, the main enemy of concrete. In rare cases, extensive water seepage can carry soil and silt through the concrete block and begin to plug the pores.
When sealing basement floors and foundation walls the best concrete sealers to use are the Lithi-Tek 4500 primer followed by the Siloxa-Tek 8510 waterproofing sealer. If you are going to be installing flooring in the basement, it is best to use a moisture vapor barrier coating like the Vapor-Tek 440.
A silane/siloxane-based sealer is a far better option for sealing concrete blocks its blend of large and small particles, designed specifically for porous material, penetrate the surface and chemically react below the substrate to form a water-repellent barrier.
First repair any cracks in the foundation, then apply a liberal coat of drylok. You want to fill all the pores in the block. This will solve most water problems. On the outside you may be able to alleviate some of the problem with gutters and correctly positioned downspouts.
There are two most effective ways of stopping a cinder block from leaking: excavation and waterproofing, and by the installation of an interior perimeter drainage system. These methods are used because they stop the water from being leaked into the blocks which is the main cause of damage to begin with.
Apply Waterproof Coating
Once the basement is completely dry, all the holes are plugged and the windows and doors are caulked, it's time to paint the walls with a waterproof sealer. DRYLOK® Extreme Masonry Waterproofer is the perfect solution to stop water infiltration through basement walls, and it's easy to apply.
Filling each block will provide it with a greater surface area and increased weight. Heavier blocks sit more securely, ensuring the interlocking pattern will remain fixed and tight.
The best waterproofing materials for concrete are polyurethane, crystalline waterproofing, cementitious coatings, EPDM rubber, rubberized asphalt, thermoplastic membranes, bituminous membranes, silicone sealants, and PVC waterproofing membranes.
For minor leaks and moisture, you can use hydraulic cement, silicate concrete sealant, and silicone caulk to fill cracks and gaps. You can apply these products yourself, followed by waterproof paint. Larger problems may call for exterior drainage improvements or professional foundation repairs.
Penetrating sealers containing silicate, silane, or siloxane last longest, sometimes a lifetime. Soft acrylic coatings wear the fastest, needing reapplication every 1 to 3 years. Epoxies, polyurethanes and polyaspartics are much harder than acrylics lasting 5-10 years.
The combination of using RadonSeal Plus, followed by our Ion-Bond Armor Elastomeric Concrete Sealer, provides the tightest possible seal for concrete blocks and cinder block walls. Ion-Bond Armor is also a penetrating sealer that is applied 10+ days after RadonSeal has been used.
If you have a wall that has chronic water leakage, you should not apply DRYLOK® Masonry Wateproofer because it will not properly cure.
Siloxa-Tek 8500
Best used to preventatively seal concrete blocks and cinderblocks that have not had any moisture issues. This waterproofing sealer will help to prevent water from seeping through concrete blocks and cinderblocks.
Cost and Availability: Cinder blocks can be more cost effective for simple, lightweight builds, while concrete blocks and cement blocks might be pricier but provide greater strength and durability.
For masonry cores over 4 inches wide, QUIKRETE Core Fill Grout – Coarse should be poured around the rebar; for masonry cores under 4 inches wide, QUIKRETE Core Fill Grout-Fine should be used.
To make them extra strong, you would need to fill their hollows with cement or rebar to reinforce them.
Apply a masonry waterproofing product to the walls
Seal/coat the interior of the walls with a suitable masonry waterproof product. When the paint dries, the sealant forms a watertight bond to stop water from seeping through. This is how you can waterproof your basement walls from inside.
A waterproof barrier is installed to prevent water from penetrating the cinderblock walls. Weeping tile is also installed to guide water away from the foundation wall. This involves the installation of a French drain on the interior perimeter of the basement.
As Drylok is an indoor waterproofing sealant, it does not last forever. Drylok comes with a 7-15-year warranty, and while this is a very long time, it does mean that you may have to renew this sealant again in the future. Give AK Water Works a call to discuss a more permanent option.
Superior Waterproofing Performance: Crystalline Waterproofing offers a higher level of waterproofing performance compared to Drylok Extreme. Its crystalline technology penetrates into the concrete, forming insoluble crystals that block capillary pores and microcracks, effectively preventing water penetration.
Seal cracks in the foundation
An interior sealant might be enough to fix basement wall leaks if the cracks are small and leakage is minimal. If there's severe cracking or water is still getting into the basement despite previous sealing, consider installing an interior drainage system.