It gives a little pain in the heart just to see those green mold spots rising on the walls, right? This is all the fault of the humidity that, for some reason, is infiltrating the wrong place.
Luckily, there are ways to fix the moisture in the wall. Like? With the use of waterproofing products for the walls.
But before doing this it is good to better understand the type of moisture that is on your wall and where it comes from. We help you here in this post, check it out:
Waterproofing for walls and the cause of humidity
Before waterproofing the wall, it is essential to understand where the moisture is coming from, only in this way it is possible to correct the problem in a more effective and lasting way. Here are the main reasons for humidity on the wall:
Water coming from the ceiling
One of the biggest reasons for water infiltration on the walls is the ceiling, or rather, the slab or the roof. When this structural part of the house is not well done, there is a great possibility that rainwater will end up passing through cracks and fissures, causing the wall to become the receiver of all moisture.
To recognize this type of humidity, just check if the stains start at the top of the wall.
The solution in this case is to climb on the roof and assess the state of the slab and tiles. If you notice cracks or even broken tiles it is essential to arrange the repair before waterproofing the wall.
The best option in these cases is to apply a sealing product capable of holding moisture.
Water rising from the ground
This is another very common problem, but unlike the previous one, it is not so simple to be solved. This is because water is seeping into the foundation of the house and accessing this structure to make repairs is not an easy task, often it can even be impossible.
This type of humidity can be recognized by the direction of the stains, since they tend to come from below, close to the floor.
For this reason, the recommendation is to always waterproof the beams during the construction phase of the house.
Rainwater on the walls
Moisture can also appear due to the effect of rain falling directly on the wall. This situation is common in open places, especially walls. But it can also happen in houses without overhang protection, for example.
Here, waterproofing the walls is mandatory to prevent the proliferation of moisture.
Leaking pipes
Another major humidity factor in the walls is the leakage of pipes. This is very common to happen on walls that border environments such as kitchen, bathrooms and laundry area.
In this case, moisture usually appears in the central part of the wall, branching to the sides.
Waterproofing products for walls
Nowadays, there are many options for waterproofing products for the wall. But how to choose the most suitable for each situation?
The first step is to identify the source of the moisture according to the tips above. After this recognition, you can already search for the most suitable products.
In general, the recommendation is always to seal cracks and fissures (including those on the ceiling where water may be passing). You can do this with products like crack seal, saddle crack, among others of similar names. These products have a rubbery and elastic characteristic capable of adjusting to the interior of the cracks, preventing water from finding its way.
Another option, depending on the case, is to use elastic paint or waterproof paint over the entire length of the wall. But first it is necessary to check that no crack is left behind.
It is still possible to count on products like blanket and asphalt paint. However, they are indicated for sealing at the time of the work, being used mainly in the foundation and the slab of the house.
How to waterproof internal and external wall
Now that you know where the problem is coming from and have made the necessary corrections, it’s time to waterproof the wall to ensure that no other traces of moisture appear.
The procedure is the same for internal and external walls. The first step is to peel the area of the affected wall by removing all paint and loose mass, so that the cracks and cracks are visible.
Then fill the cracks in the wall with a cracked saddle product. Bearing in mind that these products contain in their formula rubberized particles that guarantee the necessary elasticity both to combat infiltration and to monitor the natural movements in the wall, mainly from temperature fluctuations.
After performing this procedure you must apply two coats of waterproofing paint. These inks are also known as rubberized ink, flexible ink or just waterproofing ink.
The application must be done with a paint roller and it is very important to respect the dilution indicated by the manufacturer. For the first coat, the dilution is usually 30%. It is also essential to spread the product well on the wall.
Wait for the drying time (on average 3 hours between coats) and then prepare the paint for the second coat. This time the dilution is less, about 15% water.
Apply the paint over the entire length of the wall, wait for the drying period again. If you notice the need to reinforce the waterproofing, apply a third coat of waterproofing paint on the wall.
Then finish with the color of your choice or with some other type of coating (stone, ceramic, wood, texture, among others).
How to waterproof the wall during construction
To avoid headaches in the future the best thing to do is to waterproof the walls during the construction phase of the house.
This waterproofing begins with the foundation bucket beams. Here, the tip is to use a product called asphalt paint. It must be applied throughout the foundation to prevent water that is in contact with the soil from penetrating the beams and, consequently, reaching the walls.
After waterproofing the buckets, it is important to seal the walls against moisture when laying the blocks.
Start using waterproofing additives mixed with mortar and later on plastering as well.
Finally, but still fundamental, comes the waterproofing of the slab.
You can do this with an asphalt blanket, for example, especially if the slab does not receive a roof covering.
Coating and plaster does not waterproof walls
Despite this being a very popular and widespread idea, the use of ceramic tiles or plaster (quite simply) does not prevent the appearance of moisture, much less end the problem.
In fact, these are just palliative solutions that can end up bringing even more serious consequences to your home, since they end up disguising and hiding the problem.
Ceramic tiles should only be used as finishing work. Although they are considered materials with waterproofing effect, it is important to clarify that this function happens only from the outside to the inside, that is, preventing the water that comes from outside to penetrate the wall.
In all other cases this is not a solution for moisture, especially in the case of moisture originating in the foundation, slab or in leaks in the pipeline.
The same goes for plastering. This coating technique should be used for finishing purposes or to reinforce an existing waterproofing, as explained in the topics above. Alone, it doesn’t work.
One more important tip: before wanting to solve the problem on your own, it is very worthwhile to count on the help of a professional who will help you diagnose the cause of humidity.
That way it is possible to think and plan long-term containment measures, otherwise you are at serious risk of wasting time and money for nothing.
