Home › Masonry Waterproofing and Coatings
We provide masonry waterproofing in Dayton, OH to protect commercial brick, block, and stone walls from moisture damage. Our services include clear water repellents, elastomeric coatings, and joint sealing so your building envelope stays dry and your facade maintains its appearance longer.
Superior Masonry Dayton provides professional masonry waterproofing throughout Dayton, OH, Ohio and the surrounding area. Our licensed, insured crew delivers safe, clean, on-time work with a free estimate before anything begins. Call (937) 519-2353 or request your free quote.
Masonry waterproofing that fits Dayton’s real conditions
Masonry in Dayton takes a beating. We see hard freezes, spring downpours, and hot summers that bake the moisture back out. Over time that cycle opens hairline cracks in brick, block, and mortar joints, which lets water in behind the face of the wall. Superior Masonry Dayton focuses on masonry waterproofing that is built around these local conditions, not just a one-size-fits-all sealer.
Our first step is always inspection. We look at the age of the masonry, previous coatings, mortar condition, and where the water is actually coming from. On a downtown Dayton commercial building it might be wind‑driven rain on a west wall. On a Kettering ranch house it might be capillary moisture wicking up from a wet foundation. We use moisture meters, visual crack mapping, and sometimes controlled water testing on suspect areas to see how fast masonry takes in water.
Once we know the source, we recommend a system, not just a product. That might be repointing open joints, replacing spalled brick, then applying a breathable penetrating silane siloxane sealer. On a more severe case, like a leaking block basement, it might be interior negative-side waterproof coatings paired with improved drainage outside. Our goal is simple: stop water entry without trapping moisture in the wall where it will freeze, expand, and pop faces off the brick.
Because we work only in this region, we already know which materials have held up on Dayton buildings through the last 10 or 15 winters. We avoid cheap film-forming coatings that peel in sheets the first time water gets behind them. Instead, we match the coating type to the masonry: older soft brick, newer harder brick, CMU block, limestone, or concrete. That local experience saves you from paying twice for the same wall when a quick fix fails.
How Superior Masonry Dayton actually waterproofs your masonry
Homeowners and property managers often ask what “masonry waterproofing” really means in practice. Here is what we typically do on a Dayton project, step by step.
Preparation starts with access and cleaning. We set up ladders or scaffolding so we can safely reach every area that will be coated. Then we clean the surface, usually with low‑pressure washing and masonry-safe cleaners that remove dirt, salts, and old failed sealers without etching the brick. For heavy biological growth, like north-facing walls shaded by trees, we use mildewcides that kill roots so growth does not come right back under the new coating.
Next we address defects. We cut out loose or hollow mortar joints and repoint them with compatible mortar, not just whatever bag mix is on sale. We replace flaking or severely cracked bricks, tighten or replace failing control joint sealants, and patch visible holes or voids where old anchors were removed. On chimneys, we rebuild damaged crowns and install or repair chimney caps so water is not pouring straight down onto the masonry you just paid to seal.
When the substrate is sound and dry enough, we apply the waterproofing system. For most exterior brick and block in Dayton we use penetrating, breathable sealers that chemically bond inside the pores and do not change the appearance of the wall. These are usually silane, siloxane, or blends engineered for masonry. We apply them by low‑pressure spray and back roll into the surface so coverage is even and no holidays are left behind trim or under projections.
On more demanding situations, like parapet walls, retaining walls, and old porous stone, we may use a multi‑coat system. That might start with a masonry primer to equalize absorption, then a high-build elastomeric coating that bridges hairline cracks and sheds bulk water. Around foundation walls that will be backfilled, we use trowel‑ or spray‑applied rubberized asphalt membranes, then protect them with drainage boards so the coating is not damaged by rock backfill. Every choice is made to match the wall type, exposure, and budget.
Choosing the right waterproofing and coating for your Dayton project
Not every brick in Dayton should get the same product. The right masonry waterproofing depends on how the wall is built, what it is made of, and what you want it to look like when we are done.
If you have finished interior space behind an exterior brick wall, like a living room or office, we usually lean toward breathable penetrating sealers. Dayton winters cause repeated freeze‑thaw cycles, so any moisture that does get into the wall needs a way back out. Penetrating sealers reduce water absorption dramatically but still allow vapor to escape, which cuts down on spalling and efflorescence.
For decorative block or split‑face CMU that already soaks up a lot of water, a clear water repellent may be paired with a clear masonry sealer that slightly darkens and enriches the color. On commercial buildings where color uniformity is important, such as shopping centers or schools around Montgomery County, we often specify elastomeric wall coatings in a custom color. These build a thicker barrier on the surface and can visually hide patching and older repairs while also stopping most wind‑driven rain.
Basements and foundation walls are a different story. Interior “waterproof paint” alone rarely fixes an active leak in our clay soils, which hold water against the wall for long periods. Superior Masonry Dayton looks at both positive side (outside) and negative side (inside) options. Outside we can apply fluid-applied membranes, bentonite sheets, or dimpled drainage mats. Inside we can use hydraulic cement for active crack leaks, cementitious waterproof coatings, and in some cases integrate the work with an interior drain system installed by a waterproofing contractor we coordinate with.
Cost is driven by access (single story vs three stories, tight alleys, need for lifts), how much prep work is required, square footage, and the type of product used. A simple clear sealer on a single-story garage in Dayton may be very affordable, while a multi-story brick facade downtown needing joint repair, sealant replacement, and two coats of elastomeric will be more of an investment. We always walk through the options in plain terms so you know where every dollar is going.
Common Dayton masonry moisture problems and how we fix them
We see the same patterns over and over in and around Dayton, and knowing those patterns helps us solve problems quickly and correctly.
One of the biggest issues is efflorescence, the white powder that shows up on brick or block. In our region it often appears after a wet fall followed by a cold winter. Water dissolves salts in the masonry, then carries them to the surface as it evaporates. We never just coat over efflorescence. Superior Masonry Dayton first finds the moisture path, cleans salts with appropriate masonry cleaners, and only then applies a breathable water repellent. Otherwise the problem simply returns or starts pushing the coating off.
Another frequent problem is spalling brick faces on chimneys, window sills, and parapet caps. In Dayton this usually traces back to soft or saturated brick exposed to direct weather, clogged or missing flashing, and sealants that have failed and let water behind the surface. We remove bad units, repair or install flashing where practical, and then apply a carefully chosen coating that keeps additional water out while allowing the repaired masonry to dry. On chimneys we often add a crown sealer and water repellent on the stack so the whole assembly works together.
We also deal with leaky basement walls in older Dayton homes with block foundations. Hairline step cracks at corners, damp spots where downspouts dump water, and peeling paint are common clues. Inside, we may chip out and pack cracks with hydraulic cement, coat the wall with a cementitious waterproof coating, and recommend or coordinate improvements to gutters and grading. Outside, if you choose full excavation, we clean the wall, patch joints, apply a high-build membrane, protect it with board, and ensure there is proper footing drain. Simply painting over the wall from the inside without relieving exterior pressure is rarely enough here.
Finally, we see problems caused by past “fixes” that were not suited to our climate. Non-breathable sealers on old soft brick, for instance, can trap moisture and accelerate damage. In those cases we may have to remove or abrade failing coatings, let the wall dry, repair damage, then apply a more appropriate breathable system. Correcting those mistakes is not glamorous work, but it prevents you from wasting more money repeating what failed last time.
What Dayton property owners should know before hiring for masonry waterproofing
Before you hire anyone for masonry waterproofing in Dayton, it helps to understand what to ask and what to expect.
First, make sure whoever you hire talks about both preparation and product, not just a brand name they like. Ask how they will clean the surface, handle existing cracks, and test for moisture. Superior Masonry Dayton will explain which areas can be practically waterproofed and which may only be made more water resistant, which is an honest distinction that many sales pitches ignore.
Second, confirm that the coating will be compatible with your masonry and climate. Ask specifically if the product is breathable, what its expected life is in an Ohio freeze‑thaw environment, and whether it will change the look of your wall. If you have historic brick, get clear answers about how the work will protect the masonry without sealing it up like concrete. We routinely provide product data sheets and explain them in plain English.
Third, talk about details around windows, doors, and penetrations. Many leaks in Dayton buildings are not in the middle of the wall at all, but at transitions where two materials meet. We inspect caulking, flashing, sills, and caps, and include those items in our proposal if they are part of the water path.
Finally, understand maintenance. Most clear water repellents last 5 to 10 years in our area, sometimes longer on sheltered walls. Elastomeric wall coatings may last longer, but still require periodic inspection of joints and penetrations. We can set up a simple inspection schedule so you do not have to guess when it is time to recoat.
If you are dealing with visible leaks, damp walls, or just want to protect a new masonry project from day one, Superior Masonry Dayton can inspect your property, show you exactly where water is getting in or likely to, and outline a straightforward plan to fix it. You get a specific scope tied to your actual building conditions in Dayton, not generic promises that fall apart at the first hard rain.
