How to Waterproof Retaining Walls

Waterproofing products have become an essential part of any new construction or home renovation. Usually, it involves the application of a sealant or a special membrane to the surface. With the advent of new technologies and methods, waterproofing has become very common for building owners as they look forward to maintain their homes and property.

Waterproof Retaining Walls

Nowhere is it an as essential necessity as retaining walls. Retaining walls are designed to hold back dirt and are vulnerable to water damage unless you take special care of these. Thus, waterproofing retaining walls have become a necessity if you would like to avoid driving through your neighborhood and find walls which would have cracks, discolored or with white calcium deposits, all symptoms of water damage.

However, if your soil is never going to get wet, then you are in luck as you are among the very few who do not need waterproofing! For those of us not so lucky it is almost always a mandatory requirement.

Waterproofing retaining walls against storm water damage is a major requirement if you like to protect your property. You can either take the help of a waterproofing expert or DIY for this job.

Here are some common ways to waterproofing retainer walls:

• The first step in the process is to dig the ground and remove the mud around the outside wall. This helps to remove the expansive clay which creates pressures on the wall and in this way, forms the cracks in the wall.

• The wall is then cleaned and inspected for cracks and other vulnerabilities. This is a good opportunity to repair the wall if required. Cracks are filled up and sealed with concrete.

• Only after the above two processes are properly done can the actual process of waterproofing begin. The external surface of the wall is covered with an impervious coating that extends down to the base.

Waterproofing Sheets: For this you will need to use waterproof sheets here that are attached to the wall and lapped at the seams horizontally and vertically. These are usually rubberized asphalt sheets with a polyethylene coating. They are put on the wall either directly with a peal and stick method or with a different mastic coating sometimes held on with fasteners as well. The sheets are left overlapped at their ends with the next at least for 2-3 inches. Care must be taken at this taken at this stage to prevent gaps or ‘fish mouths’ from forming. Bubbled areas are cut with a razor and flattened. 

Waterproof Retaining Walls

Waterproof coatings: This is another popular method in waterproofing retainer walls that use several layers of sprayed coatings. These usually need at a priming coat on the wall on which the seamless coating of waterproof coating is made based on the manufacturer recommended thickness usually about 60mm. They are resistant to punctures. The set-up process is also much quicker as the coating requires only around 60 minutes for drying, a major reason, which makes it such a popular method of waterproofing retainer walls.

Torch on membrane coating: This kind of a coating provides excellent protection and is a popular method of waterproofing retainer walls even in cold weather. Here a mixture of polymers and bitumen are used on top of a reinforced base. It is adhered to the wall using a torch flame which makes the bond inseparable and strong.

It is important to fix up the wall completely when you have a chance to do so. This is essential to prevent frequent repairs and headaches later on. Hence prepare early as the saying so goes ‘’Prevention is better than cure’’!