If you’re bothered by damp walls in your basements that you can’t fix from the outside, keep reading.

Due to the problem of absorption and lifting of moisture from the surrounding soil, basements in older buildings were usually not used for permanent residence of people but only as an auxiliary space. However, with time, people started using basements as living spaces, which introduced heating and closing of windows.

Moisture, humidity, flooding and as a consequence, mold and destruction of the foundations, happens due to inadequate or poor waterproofing. Very often it’s not possible to remediate the underground walls from the outside due to the environment, neighborhood, buildings, or similar reasons. Then the only solution is to perform interior waterproofing solutions.

How to properly repair a damp wall from the inside

The very appearance of water means additional pressure on the structure, which can cause the separation of the waterproofing coating inside the building if the item of additional pressure is neglected.

The following are the steps that will lead you to a successfully repaired exterior wall.

• Before starting work on waterproofing the interior walls of the basement, make sure that the walls are completely dry. Polymer-cement coating DRACO LASTIC 150 is a highly flexible, two-component cement-based coating, modified with a polymer emulsion.
• Use primer DRACO PRIMO 100, which strengthens and stabilizes the substrate, promotes better adhesion of the waterproofing coating without the possibility of separation. In addition to horizontal surfaces, applying the coating is easy on vertical surfaces.
• The coating over the expansion joints and the joints of the horizontals with the verticals must be reinforced with DRACO BAND 110 expansion strips which are immersed in the first layer and completely covered by the second. Internal waterproofing will provide excellent protection for your basements from groundwater.

The basements of the building are exposed to all forms of water that occur in the soil, such as leachate, capillary and groundwater. When we notice on the constructed building that water has found its way through the structure, and the execution of waterproofing on the outside of the building is disabled, the only solution is to perform waterproofing of the inner surfaces of the basement with polymer-cement coatings.

Use only quality materials and pay the waterproofing the attention it deserves. DRACO waterproofing systems are designed precisely to make your facilities safe and comfortable to live in. This way the internal waterproofing provides excellent protection against groundwater.

If you need help or advice from our experts, reach out to us.

Basements are exposed to all forms of water, such as rainwater, capillary and groundwater. When the waterproofing is inadequate or when condensation is created due to the temperature difference, moisture appears in the basements. In this case, find out the exact reason for its occurrence and examine the effectiveness of the existing waterproofing.

Water as the greatest enemy

Water is capable of destroying any building, leading them to complete decay, significantly reducing their lifespan. And this moment is especially important for the underground parts of houses that are simultaneously exposed to various factors – rainwater and standing water.

The appearance of water means additional pressure on the structure, which can cause the separation of the waterproofing coating inside the building if the item of additional pressure is neglected. Polymer-cement coating DRACO LASTIC 150 is a highly flexible, two-component cement-based coating, modified with a polymer emulsion. The use of DRACO PRIMO 100 primer, which strengthens and stabilizes the substrate, promotes better adhesion of the waterproofing coating without the possibility of separation. In addition to horizontal surfaces, applying the coating is easy on vertical surfaces.

The following are the steps that will lead you to a successfully waterproofed basement.

• Thoroughly clean the substrate of existing plaster, mortar, various adhesives or smoothing compounds, paints, oils, greases and stains. The surface should be free of crumbling, “crumbling”, layering or peeling of the substrate. Reprofiling of all uneven surfaces, previously observed, or done with mechanical tools during the removal of plaster / mortar / layers, is performed with microreinforced repair mortar DRACO FIX 110.
• On workpieces and horizontal and vertical joints, install reinforcement by dipping DRACO BAND 100 or similar tape from the DRACO BAND program into the first coat of coating.
• Before starting to make the first layer of DRACO LASTIC 150, it is necessary to apply the appropriate primer DRACO PRIMO 100 in two layers on the properly prepared concrete base of the AB wall. For well-dried substrates, waterproofing is applied. If working with a roller, choose a short-haired roller. When working with a trowel, the application technique is similar to smoothing walls, but due to the viscosity with faster movements and a smaller amount on the trowel. The material can also be applied with a brush, and it is common to brush smaller surfaces and details, or very uneven surfaces.

Waterproofing has a protective role in preserving buildings for all purposes. Regardless of the square meters, position of the space and external influences, waterproofing will protect the object from water, moisture, steam and all other side effects.

Now you know why and how to properly waterproof the basement from the inside, choose and properly apply protection that will ensure the dryness and safety of the basement in the long run.

If you have any questions, please contact the DRACO team that is always at your disposal.

As there is less and less space for construction in urban areas due to the expansion of the city, it is necessary to use the potential of underground construction more and more. In addition to the basements can serve as affordable housing, they also offer the possibility of storing goods or building underground parking. Since these parts of the building are usually located very close to or below the level of rainwater, it is extremely important to choose a reliable waterproofing of the building.

Proper execution of exterior basement waterproofing

Basement waterproofing from the outside is performed on the side of the building that is in direct contact with water.

The following are the steps that will lead you to a successfully waterproofed basement.

• Use flexible polymer-cement waterproofing coating DRACO LASTIC 150 for protection and waterproofing of structures. It is used as a flexible waterproofing of concrete structures in the ground in positive and negative conditions. It is resistant to standing water, low and high temperatures and to continuous thawing and freezing cycles. It has optimal adhesion to different types of substrates and can be applied with a trowel, roller or brush. It is elastic, perfectly withstands the work of the construction, easy to apply and quick to apply. In addition, it protects against the action of salt used for thawing, chloride, sulfate and carbon dioxide.
• Apply DRACO LASTIC 150 with a roller, metal trowel, or brush. The material needs to be “felt” in order to be applied without any problems.
• Use primer DRACO PRIMO 100 which strengthens and stabilizes the substrate, promotes better adhesion of the waterproofing coating without the possibility of separation. In addition to horizontal surfaces, applying the coating is easy on vertical surfaces.
• Reinforce the coating at the positions of the expansion joints and horizontal joints with the vertical expansion joints with DRACO BAND 100 expansion joints that are immersed in the first layer and completely covered by the others.

There are several ways in which water destroys the concrete base. It is strange, but concrete is a material that can withstand several tons of load. But, unfortunately, no stone is able to withstand prolonged exposure to water. The penetration of water through the structure is responsible for most of the damage caused to buildings.

The value of quality waterproofing is less than 5% of the value of the total investment. Quality waterproofing not only protects the building, it protects the entire investment. For this reason, the choice of reliable and quality waterproofing is very important.

Remember to properly protect your basement from water and moisture in a timely manner. Use only quality materials and pay the waterproofing the attention it deserves. DRACO waterproofing systems are designed precisely to make your facilities safe and comfortable to live in.

If you need help or advice from our experts, reach out to us.

Energy-saving, protection of the building, and the health of all tenants and users of the building are the reasons why basements require properly executed, quality waterproofing. Don’t neglect your basements, protect them properly and remember how very often they are exposed to water.

Wet basement floors

Wet basement and wet basement floors occur in cases when the existing waterproofing is poor or when condensation is created due to the temperature difference.

Therefore, when moisture appears in your basement, find out the reason for its appearance and examine the effectiveness of the existing waterproofing. To protect your basement from water and moisture, it is important to do the waterproofing according to the rules of the profession.

The following are the steps that will lead you to a successfully waterproofed basement:

• Clean the substrate to a clean surface of the AB wall from all existing layers such as existing plaster, mortar, various adhesives or smoothing compound, existing paint, oils, grease stains, “formwork” or other formwork oils, binders, mechanically (manually or mechanically) with high-pressure water washing with or without special detergents (if oils need to be removed).
• Prepare the substrate by removing insufficiently strong parts, loose particles, unbound layers to a healthy supporting layer. Reprofiling of all uneven surfaces, previously observed, or done with mechanical tools during removal of plaster/mortar / layers (unevenness, unevenness of scalpel/tip, the recess of formwork joints, formwork spacers, cavities or nests of aggregates, gas pockets…) is done with microreinforced repair mortar DRACO FIX 120 or DRACO FIX 140. To obtain a completely flat surface after reprofiling, it is possible to re-grind the surface.
• Apply DRACO LASTIC 150 with a roller, metal trowel, or brush. The material needs to be “felt” to be applied without any problems. If you use a roller, use a short-haired roller. Use bottom-up movements because then the roller “works” like a trowel, so that there is always a smaller “wave” of material in front of the roller. When working with a trowel, the application technique is similar to smoothing walls, but due to the viscosity with faster movements and a smaller amount on the trowel. Use a flat trowel. When applying, it is necessary to smooth the thickened edges (traces) at the end of the trowel. The material can also be applied with a brush. It is common to brush smaller surfaces and details, or very uneven surfaces. When using the brush, it is necessary to rinse the particles in a bucket of water after each pass, and shake the brush out of the drops before re-crossing. Experientially, on flat, smooth surfaces, the best result is achieved with a short-haired roller. When treating the interior surfaces of walls, for negative pressure, apply the second layer after at least 24 hours. The total thickness should not be less, but not more than 2mm.
• Reinforce the working joints of the floor with the walls with DRACO BAND 100 expansion tape by immersing it in the first layer of coating.
• After the first coat has dried, apply a second coat of DRACO LASTIC 150. Cover the expansion strips completely with a waterproofing coating.
• After drying the second layer of waterproofing coating, plaster the walls with vapor-permeable plaster or stick a ceramic or stone cladding on them. You can glue stone or ceramic directly to the floor with flexible adhesive for outdoor use.

DRACO LASTIC 150 waterproofing coating effectively solves the problem of damp basement floors by making a waterproof “bathtub” on the inside of the basement. The use of DRACO PRIMO 100 primer, which strengthens and stabilizes the substrate, promotes better adhesion of the waterproofing coating without the possibility of separation. In addition to horizontal surfaces, applying the coating is easy on vertical surfaces.

Remember to properly protect your basement from water and moisture promptly. Use only quality materials and pay the waterproofing the attention it deserves. DRACO waterproofing systems are designed precisely to make your homes, offices and premises safe and comfortable to live in.

If you need help or advice from our experts, reach out to us.

If you have a leaky basement, then you need to repair cracks that can reduce the functionality of the facility. In cases where there are active water intrusions, they must first be stopped. After that, the crack can be closed along its entire length. Closing damp or wet cracks by grouting can prevent further water penetration into the building. Crack waterproofing also prevents subsequent corrosion of the reinforcing steel.

What is most important in the repair of cracks in basement

When repairing water penetration, it is first necessary to stop the water. After that, the crack closes permanently. DRACO FIX 100 instantly prevents the penetration of water through concrete and masonry structures. It’s used to block local water flows, repair works during waterproofing, and sealing cracks.

It is important to mention another important item, to get a smooth and solid surface of concrete, for the application of waterproofing products, without prior preparation is almost impossible. There are always various places of segregation and holes from the spacer. These are often surfaces that have been damaged by the ravages of time or from which it is necessary to remove the existing topcoat.

Depending on the condition of the substrate and the scope of work, the surface can be repaired with DRACO FIX 100, DRACO FIX 120 cement mortars, and DRACO FIX 110 quick-setting binder. DRACO FIX 100 cement putty is applied in a thin layer on various, external or internal surfaces smoothing the substrate.

Use only quality materials and pay the waterproofing the attention it deserves. DRACO waterproofing systems are designed precisely to make your homes, offices and premises safe and comfortable to live in.

If you need help or advice from our experts, reach out to us.