Should I waterproof my house siding?
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I am having my 1950's homes limestone retuckpointed. This is VERY expensive. I am wondering if I should waterproof the exterior of my home (like I waterproof/seal the grout on my shower) to protect it from continuing to crack and crumble. I researched the This Old House site and they say: Waterproofing Exteriors: It's easy to be convinced that waterproof coatings are a cure for aging masonry or even wood siding. Any coating will eventually admit water into these entry points. Problems arise when this water turns into water vapor that's drawn into the house to ruin interior finishes, or drawn to the exterior, causing waterproof coatings to blister and peel. Painting a waterproof coating on your house is like putting it into a plastic bag; it can't breathe. And houses need to breathe, since water enters from outside and is also generated in large volumes on the interior (by cooking, washing, and even exhaling).
I'm interested in the Hometalk experts opinion.....
I'm interested in the Hometalk experts opinion.....
5 answers
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http://www.iliai.com/pages/Water_Repellents, http://www.iliai.com/pages/ILI_Technote_Series
William
on Aug 28, 2016
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All masonry needs to breathe. This Old House has it right. Having your house tuck pointed is inevitable but should last for years.
Jackie Hendricks
on Aug 29, 2016
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You have a beautiful home. I miss living in New England. Loved the 'smell' of fall and the beautiful foliage colors. Always enjoyed apple picking and mowing my yard. :(
Diana Deiley
on Aug 29, 2016
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As has been stated the exterior of houses need to allow the house to expell the moisture that becomes trapped within the walls...That's why you see so many of the little holes at the very bottom of masonry exterior walls...They are called "weep holes" for a reason. I suspect that the freeze/thaw cycle has a lot to do with the deterioration of the mortar joints and the sealing would make this even worse as the moisture could not escape....I have built over 700 houses and have never sealed any exterior masonry joint...Question answered?
Charles Prock
on Aug 30, 2016
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No need to waterproof or worry. You wont even have to worry about getting this job done again 4 another 200 years if it's done right.
1268409614
on Sep 05, 2016
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