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Last Updated: Thursday, May 6th, 2010, Created: Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

Crystalline Growth Waterproofing Products

Here is one water proofing material that approaches the field of Science Fiction -- but it is for real and it does work.

Xypex High'n Dry is a commonly available brand name of what is generically referred to as Crystalline Growth waterproofing products. These are applied to a sound surface, much like a thick creamy paint, or a bit like a thin stucco. It should be worked well onto the surface with a bristle brush. You keep it moist through the first 2 to 3 days. It can be applied to a damp concrete or block wall, but not to one that is leaking.

Now here is the Science Fiction part. It is not the coating that makes the wall waterproof but rather a chemical reaction that starts on the Xypex/wall interface and works its way into the wall. It causes the growth of crystals inside the concrete itself -- in fact the Xypex is just a catalysis to this growth using the concrete itself as the crystal growing substance. These crystals fill the concrete pores and block all passage of water. The interesting thing is that as long as and whenever the concrete gets wet, the crystals continue to grow until they have grown all the way through the wall -- making 6 to 8 inches of waterproof material to protect your foundation. That is why this is a common treatment for under river tunnel walls or concrete water storage tanks.

The catch is that it does nothing to stop water from moving through a crack. The surface has to be patched well so as to be crack free before starting.

You can often find it in renovation stores that carry products from King Packaging, but you will probably have to ask for it as they tend to hide it on an obscure shelf.

Keywords: Basement, Blocks, Concrete, Foundation, Leaking, Water, Water Management, Water Penetration, Waterproof

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