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How to Waterproof a Building Facade

Building facades are generally concrete, block, stucco or brick. All of these facade finishes are masonry materials and generally fabricated the same way -- a combination of cement and fine masonry sand. Though these building facades are very durable and sturdy, masonry materials, like wood, are porous. Though they are not as porous as wood, they are not waterproof but water resistant. To waterproof a building facade, you will need several tools and supplies.

Things You'll Need

  • Safety glasses
  • Rubber gloves
  • Trisodium phosphate (TSP)
  • Pressure washer
  • Concrete and masonry waterproofer
  • Paint tray
  • Paint rollers with extension handle
  • Concrete waterproof sealer
  • Concrete clear coat
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Instructions

    • 1

      Put on safety glasses and rubber gloves. Pour TSP into the cleaning fluid reservoir of a pressure washer. Pressure wash the building facade to knock off any dirt and grime. Allow to air dry.

    • 2

      Pour concrete and masonry waterproofer into a paint tray. Hook a paint roller to an extension handle and roll the concrete and masonry waterproofer onto the building facade. Let the concrete and masonry waterproofer dry overnight or about 12 hours. Rinse the paint tray thoroughly.

    • 3

      Pour concrete waterproof sealer into the paint tray and roll it onto the building facade with the paint roller. Allow the concrete waterproof sealer to dry as long as directed by the manufacturer. Rinse the paint tray thorough again.

    • 4

      Pour concrete clear coat into the rinsed-out paint tray and apply a coat of concrete clear coat over the building facade using the paint roller. Let the concrete clear coat dry for a period of 24 to 36 hours. You may paint the building facade thereafter, if so desired.