7 Home Waterproofing Mistakes to Avoid

A proper waterproofing system can help protect your home against all water-related issues and offer peace of mind for around 10 to 15 years.

The question is: how do you maximise the benefits of waterproofing your home, especially if you’re doing it yourself?

To ensure that you get the best results when DIY waterproofing your home, we’ve put together a list of the 7 most common home waterproofing mistakes you need to be aware of.

Avoiding these mistakes can save you significant amounts of time and money over the long term and allow you to properly protect your home from the dangers of water damage.

What are the most common waterproofing mistakes to avoid?

Waterproofing is not a simple task.

That’s why it’s vital to ensure that you’re up to speed with what you should and shouldn’t do when waterproofing your home.

Here are 7 of the most common waterproofing mistakes that you need to be aware of and the best tips to make sure you don’t make these yourself.

1. Putting off waterproofing until it’s too late

Even if you don’t live in a flood-prone area or have never had water-related problems in the past, simply assuming that your home is safe against cracks, leaks, drainage issues and water damage can lead to serious problems in the future.

Proactive waterproofing will help to protect your home from any unexpected issues and save you from having to perform costly repairs that could have easily been prevented in the first place.

2. Not performing the right inspections, research and preparation.

Thoroughly understanding the source of your water-related issues is key to adequately waterproofing your home. Likewise, understanding the full extent of the problem will help you decide if you can perform the job yourself or need to hire trained professionals.

Conducting the right research also helps in preparing and gathering the right tools and materials to do the job properly.

3. Not considering your external surroundings

When waterproofing outdoors, it’s essential to consider the landscape and environment around your home.

For example, your property might be built on a slope, allowing water to have easy access from the high side.

Factors such as the type of soil and drainage solutions you have around your home can also play a role in determining the type of waterproofing that you need to perform.

4. Neglecting your gutters

Your gutters are important for effective water management around your home. If you fail to perform routine maintenance on your gutters and keep them free from clutter, rainwater may build up and begin to penetrate your ceilings and walls.

Always keep your gutters and downpipes in check as part of your waterproofing system.

5. Not cleaning surfaces before waterproofing

Before applying any kind of waterproofing solution to your walls, ceilings or other surfaces, you need to ensure that they are free from paint, adhesives, grease, oil, or any type of fungal growth, loose particles or substances.

This can be done with either mechanical or chemical cleaning solutions.

6. Not priming surfaces for waterproofing

Priming your surfaces beforehand guarantees proper adhesion, allowing your waterproofing solution to bond well with the surface and provide the best protection for your home.

Most waterproofing products require the use of a water-based epoxy or latex primer to work best. However, at Scientific Waterproofing Products (SWP), we have a wide range of Drizoro waterproofing solutions that only require water as the primer.

7. Using the wrong waterproofing products

The products you choose to use will make or break your waterproofing system at home. Without the right solution, you won’t effectively fix cracks, leaks, pooling water and other water-related issues.

On top of that, you’re wasting money on products that won’t last.

With so many different types of waterproofing solutions, it’s best to find one that suits your specific needs.

Our team at SWP offers an extensive range of quick-setting non-shrink waterproof repair mortars, cement based hydraulic plugs to stop active leaks, waterproof, flexible cement based tile glues and grouts, systems for removing and preventing efflorescence, and of course a full range of cement-based waterproofing products and expertise to solve your above and below ground waterproofing, restoration and maintenance needs. Our products are made with high-quality raw materials and come with a 10-year product warranty, guaranteeing you value for money.

The right waterproofing will protect your home for years to come

Waterproofing is more than just a quick fix for your walls, ceilings and drainage system. It provides comprehensive protection against unwanted water infiltration that can damage your home’s foundations, structure and cosmetics.

Waterproofing also helps to keep you and your family safe, healthy and comfortable in your home.

If you’re looking to waterproof your property, keep these common mistakes in mind to ensure you avoid any water-related issues down the track.

Of course, if you’d like some guidance on the best waterproofing products to use, speak to your local Australian waterproofing specialists.

Get the right waterproofing solutions for your home

At SWP, our team is here to provide you with the right waterproofing for your unique situation. We offer a number of Drizoro cement-based waterproof coatings for all your maintenance and restoration requirements.

If you’ve got any questions or issues around waterproofing, or you’d like to find out which product is best for your needs, contact us today! You can also check out a list of local Drizoro resellers and applicators here.

As always, SWP is committed to providing the right waterproofing solution for any water-related problem or application.