Twip of the Day – Using Hydraulic Cement to Fight Moisture

Hydraulic cement is a patching compound that can be used to fight basement moisture. The process is simple, jus trowel the hydraulic cement over any cracks in your basement floor or walls, and make sure to pack it tightly into the deepest and widest areas.

Hydraulic cement is particularly sticky and will adhere itself onto nearly any type of concrete, new or old. However, to create the longest lasting and most waterproof bond, the concrete should be thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned, before applying any cement.

We recommend that you apply hydraulic cement at least 1 to 2 inches deep and a half inch wide. Thin amounts are okay, but the most effective way is to apply heavily. For this reason, any medium sized cracks need to be widened with a chisel or masonry drill.

When the cement is ready to be mixed, make sure you have everything you’ll need. There is only about 2 to 3 minutes of time before the concrete will begin to harden, so you need to be ready to work as fast as possible.