Drylok is a popular waterproofing material for interior masonry surfaces. Waterproofing protects surfaces from water seepage. You might wonder if you can add cement after applying Drylok on the surface, so find out in this article if you can cement over Drylok.
Yes, you can cement over Drylok for the minor fixes. If you have to patch some holes or seal cracks and joints, you can use Drylok Concrete Patch or Fast Plug hydraulic cement. It is best to choose cement that is compatible with Drylok.
Applying cement over Drylok will not totally stop the water inside. Cement is weak regardless of its kind. You might need to combine it with sand to make it strong. If you use cement, it is prone to cracking when incorrectly used. Read further to understand how cement works with Drylok.
Is It Possible To Add Cement Over Drylok?
You can cement over Drylok. Here is how you can do this:
- Cover and seal hairline cracks
- Improve masonry-to-masonry adhesion
- Join or patch brick and mortar
- Patch up holes
- Seal open joints
- Seal large cracks on masonry walls and floors
Cement is best as a surface patch inside a foundation wall. Applying cement all over the Drylok surface may not result well.
Cement alone is weak; you need sand and other aggregates to make it strong. It is also prone to cracking, and water leaking will resume.
You can use cement products over Drylok, which we will cover below.
What Cement To Use Over Drylok?
If you apply Drylok on the surface, it is best to use Drylok cement products. Below are the Drylok cement products and their purposes.
Drylok Fast Plug Hydraulic Cement
The Drylok Fast Plug is a hydraulic cement that sets quickly in 3-5 minutes. It will stop active leaks under pressure and seal open joints or large cracks on masonry surfaces.
The cement does not require a top coat after application.
You can use this hydraulic cement for the following:
- Anchoring metal to concrete
- Patch holes with active water flowing
- Sealing wall and floor joints
- Sealing settlement cracks in masonry walls and swimming pools
However, you can only use this immediately because it is quick-setting. Also, you can use this for small batches to avoid wasting the product.
Once the cement has dried, you can paint over it using other Drylok products.
Drylok Concrete Patch
Another Drylok product you can try is their concrete patch. You can use this for interior and exterior patching. This product mixes easily with water, is self-curing, and is waterproof.
Moreover, this product contains Portland cement.
Unlike concrete, it won't crack or chip. The patch combines the power of cement and a bonding agent to adhere well to masonry surfaces.
The uses of this concrete patch are as follows:
- Improves adhesion to hairline cracks or significant breaks
- Weld, join, or patch masonry surfaces (e.g., brick and mortar)
Unlike hydraulic cement, you cannot use the product without an active water flow. You must remove or stop the water if you plan to use it on constantly wet surfaces.
The product will also not bond on crumbly and powdery surfaces.
You can improve the bonding of the cement patch by mixing Drylok Latex Bonding Agent. Read a related post on How To Use Concrete Bonding Adhesive [Step By Step Guide].
The setting time is around 24 hours, which is longer than hydraulic cement. You should use the product within 2 hours after mixing.
Tips When Using Cement Products
When you use any of the cement products, always use protective equipment. You should avoid handling these products with exposed skin.
Use the products where there is adequate ventilation.
There are toxic and hazardous elements that are not safe for humans. You must also know how to clean up the product that conforms with local, state, and federal codes.
Always read the product instructions before working with the cement products for proper application. Use the right cement applicator so the result will look professionally done.
Ways To Keep Out Water Without Using Cement
If you plan to add cement over the Drylok surface because you want to stop the water from the inside, there are other effective ways. You should not solely rely on cement for a long-lasting solution.
Here are some ways to keep the water out:
- Improve drainage away from the walls
- Remove flower beds along the perimeters of the house
- Check if downspouts do not have blockages
- The water should have a path going out of the house (e.g., drainage swale, storm pipings, french drains)
- Waterproof the outside of the walls
If you apply the mentioned technique properly, you won't worry much about water intrusions through the walls and floors.
Can You Tile Over Drylok?
If you plan to finish the floor with tiles, you should prepare the surface first. Tiles can better adhere to waterproofed surfaces. The waterproof layer keeps the tiles in place by keeping the water out.
After you have applied Drylok over the surface, you can proceed to set the tiles. There is no need to add a waterproof membrane.
To add the tiles, place them on the surface. Follow the instructions for the amount of adhesive and grout to apply.
Should You Paint Concrete With Drylok?
You can leave the concrete surface bare or paint it.
If you want to waterproof a concrete floor and add some color to the surfaces, you can paint with Drylok.
Drylok offers an all-in-one primer and paint, such as the Drylok Latex concrete floor paint. Drylok also has E1 Latex 1-Part Epoxy concrete floor paint if you want a quality finish.
You need to prepare the surface by following the process below:
- Clean the area where you add the tiles. Remove the efflorescence with a chemical masonry etch & cleaning solution.
- Fill any cracks and repair joints on the surface.
- You can also add a non-skid agent to resist slips.
- Then, apply the Drylok.
- Afterward, choose the paint that is suitable for concrete. Apply two coats, allowing 4 hours of drying after each coat.
- After the second coat, leave the surface to dry for a few days.
Does Drylok Penetrate Concrete?
Conversely, you can use Drylok for cement or cementitious-type surfaces. Drylok can penetrate bare concrete, regardless if it is old or new concrete.
You apply Drylok to stop the water coming through the masonry walls and floors. Also, Drylok can control the dusting on concrete.
What To Apply Over Drylok?
If you don't want to add cement over Drylok, apply a good latex top coat. Even if Drylok can stand alone as a finish coating, you can add latex additives to minimize the impact due to foot traffic.
Check if the Drylok product you use allows a top coat. There are various Drylok products you can use as a top coat, such as the following:
-
Natural Look Sealer
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WetLook Clear High Gloss Penetrating Sealer
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Natural Look Curing Membrane & Penetrating Sealer
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Protector Clear Low Sheen Penetrating Sealer
You can paint over Drylok because it is an ideal base coat. Choose high-quality latex or acrylic paint. Remember to only paint on the dried Drylok surface.
Can You Apply Drylok Over Old Drylok?
Yes, you can apply a new layer of Drylok over the old layer. Drylok will start peeling or cracking after 7-15 years. With a weak layer of Drylok, it will not continue waterproofing the surface.
Before applying over old Drylok, check if it is not peeling. You need to remove the old layer if it is peeling. If not, the Drylok will not work well. After removing the existing layer, clean and dry the bare surface.
To Wrap Up
You can apply cement over Drylok for patching cracks, sealing joints, and other minor fixes. Only use the compatible cement for Drylok, such as their Fast Plug hydraulic cement or Cement Patch.
Follow the product instructions to avoid errors in the application.
It is ineffective if you put cement over a Drylok surface because cement is weak and prone to cracking. Water can still seep through it and will cause more damage to the surface.
If you want to get rid of water on your walls and floors, you should improve the water drainage system around your house.
After all, cement is good to use over Drylok.
Learn more about using cement from these posts: