Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I paint DRYLOK® Masonry Waterproofer over a wet wall that will not dry out?
A. If you have a wall that has chronic water leakage, you should not apply DRYLOK® Masonry Wateproofer because it will not properly cure. To these continually wet spots, you should apply DRYLOK® Wet Wall Primer. Most water problems are seasonal, but there could be spots that never dry out and are continually wet. You can spot prime these areas with DRYLOK® Wet Wall Primer before you apply DRYLOK® Masonry Waterproofer.
Q. What are the reddish, pinkish, brownish spots appearing on a coated masonry wall?
A. Colored spots that show up on the surface of a painted masonry wall are called mineral staining. These are natural elements present in the block or the soil and carried through the coating by water vapor. You can treat this staining by removing the stains with a good cleaning and than top coating with DRYLOK® Masonry Wateproofer.
Q. Will the DRYLOK® Wateproofer still maintain its warranty if I first use the DRYLOK® Wet Wall Primer?
A. If you apply DRYLOK® Wet Wall Primer to a bare surface and topcoat with DRYLOK® Masonry Waterproofer you will maintain your warranty. In addition, if you spot prime with DRYLOK Wet Wall Primer over a surface that DRYLOK® Masonry Waterproofer has already been applied to your warranty is still valid. The only time your warranty is not valid is if the DRYLOK® Primer is applied over a coating other than DRYLOK® Masonry Waterproofer.
Q. Can I apply DRYLOK® Wet Wall Primer to a floor
A. Yes, you can apply DRYLOK® Wet Wall Primer to a floor however you must topcoat with a coating that is formulated for horizontal foot traffic.
Q. What advantages does DRYLOK® Masonry Waterproofer have over powdered waterproof coatings?
A. It’s much easier to apply because of its smooth, creamy consistency and one-step application saves considerable time. Using this product eliminates the need to pre-wet the surface or stock up on the extra pails needed when you mix by hand. Apply to dry or slightly damp surfaces.
Q. How can you tell if a surface is too wet to paint?
A. Rub your fingertips over the suspect area. If they are wet, do not paint the surface. If you can’t get the wet spots to dry out, you can first apply DRYLOK® Wet Wall Primer to those wet spots and apply DRYLOK® Masonry Waterproofer over the primer.
Q. How long will DRYLOK® Masonry Waterproofer maintain its effectiveness?
A. When applied according to directions, DRYLOK® Original Masonry Waterproofer is warranted for 10 years, DRYLOK® Extreme Masonry Waterproofer is warranted for 15 years, and DRYLOK® Floor & Wall Masonry Waterproofer is warranted for 7 years. In many instances, these products will provide many additional years of satisfactory performance.
Q. What is the coverage of DRYLOK® Masonry Waterproofer?
A. Both DRYLOK® Original Masonry Waterproofer and DRYLOK® Extreme Masonry Waterproofer cover 75 – 100 square feet per gallon, and DRYLOK® Floor & Wall Masonry Waterproofer covers 90 – 100 square feet per gallon, depending on the porosity of the surface.
Q. Can DRYLOK® Masonry Waterproofer be used on floors?
A. DRYLOK® Extreme and DRYLOK® Original Masonry Waterproofers are not formulated for floors. You can use DRYLOK® Floor & Wall Masonry Waterproofer on floors and walls. It holds up to foot traffic as a finished coat and can be used before applying floor paint, or latex-based adhesives.
Q. Can DRYLOK® Masonry Waterproofer be used over paint?
A. Yes and no. DRYLOK® may be used over any other cementitious-type waterproofing paint in good, repaintable condition, either inside or outside. However, DRYLOK® cannot be used over an oil or latex-based paint on the inside of a building. DRYLOK® will adhere to these paints, but if it cannot penetrate into the pores of the masonry itself, it will not waterproof the surface.
Q. Can DRYLOK® Masonry Waterproofer go over wood, metal or terra cotta?
A. DRYLOK® Masonry Waterproofer is not recommended for use on anything other than bare masonry and concrete surfaces. It can be applied to porous terra cotta, concrete, stucco, and cement.
Q. Can DRYLOK® Masonry Waterproofer be used as an outside foundation coating?
A. Yes, DRYLOK® Masonry waterproofer is ideal as a foundation waterproofing coating. Wait 24 hours after the application of the second coat to backfill.
Q. Can you paint over DRYLOK® Masonry Waterproofer?
A. Absolutely. In fact, DRYLOK® makes an ideal base coat. After applying DRYLOK®, wait at least 24 hours and then paint it with a good quality latex top coat.
Q. I’m pressed for time. Can I use DRYLOK® Masonry Waterproofer as an all-in-one primer and paint?
A. Yes! Plus, in addition to being a terrific timesaver, DRYLOK® is available in a range of colors to help you add personality to your basement, workshop, laundry room, and other living areas. DRYLOK® Original Masonry Waterproofer’s sandy finish is available in 2 ready-mixed colors (white and gray) and 8 tints. If you prefer a smoother finish, choose DRYLOK® Extreme Masonry Waterproofer, available in bright white, gray, and an expanded tint palette.
Q. Can DRYLOK® Original Masonry Waterproofer be applied over Oil Base DRYLOK® Masonry Waterproofer?
A. Yes, wait 24 hours to apply.
Q. How do you recommend using DRYLOK® Fast Plug®?
A. Use on surfaces, cracks in walls, pools, wall joints and affixing objects that will be subjected to applied pressure.
Q. Which products help remove efflorescence and prevent it from reoccurring?
A. United Gilsonite Laboratories manufactures a product called DRYLOK® Etch. While DRYLOK® Etch will remove efflorescence and help prevent it from reoccurring, understand that efflorescence comes from salt deposits found in the block itself and can reoccur at any time. In addition, DRYLOK® Wet Wall Primer is highly effective for controlling reoccurring efflorescence. After treating surface with DRYLOK® Etch, you can apply DRYLOK® Wet Wall Primer and than topcoat with DRYLOK® Masonry Waterproofer
Q. What is the difference, if any, between DRYLOK® Protector Clear Low Sheen Penetrating Sealer and DRYLOK® Floor & Wall Masonry Waterproofer?
A. DRYLOK® Protector Clear Low Sheen Penetrating Sealer has a curing compound and can be used on new concrete or old concrete to control dusting. It is a water sealer. DRYLOK® Floor & Wall Masonry Waterproofer stops water from coming up through the concrete floors. It is a waterproofer.
Q. Can you use DRYLOK® Protector Clear Low Sheen Penetrating Sealer over paint?
A. DRYLOK® Protector Clear Low Sheen Penetrating Sealer is formulated for use on bare concrete. After application, wait 24 to 48 hours before painting with a latex or acrylic floor paint.
Q. Can you use DRYLOK® WetLook Clear High Gloss Penetrating Sealer over paint?
A. Use DRYLOK® WetLook Clear High Gloss Penetrating Sealer for a decorative high-gloss coat over floor paint.
Q. Can DRYLOK® Siloxane 7 Brick & Masonry Penetrating Sealer be top coated with paint or other coatings?
A. No, paint and other coatings will not adhere to Siloxane 7 Brick & Masonry Penetrating Sealer.
Q. Can you put linoleum or tile over DRYLOK® Floor & Wall Masonry Waterproofer ?
A. Yes.
Q. Can I apply DRYLOK® to a fish pond?
A. DRYLOK® Original Concrete & Masonry Waterproofer can be used to successfully waterproof fish ponds as long as the product is allowed to cure for the recommended 5 – 7 days. This cure time is necessary to ensure that all the volatile “processing aids” have completely evaporated from the dry film. Failure to allow for complete curing can cause excess foaming when water is added, and possibly even affect water quality. DRYLOK® Extreme Concrete & Masonry Waterproofer is NOT for use on fish ponds.