Waterproofing garages is becoming more and more popular as homeowners seek to utilise space in their homes. Garages are normally a single-skin construction, but waterproofing them with tanking slurry is a simple process that can be a great DIY project.

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Tanking slurry, or cementitious tanking, is a mix that is designed specifically to inhibit water. You can either buy a pre-mixed solution or a powder that you mix with clean water on-site. The tanking slurry is an effective way of waterproofing. It is also a perfect way to protect your home in case of flooding and fits with the UK government’s sustainable development code. So there are undoubted benefits of waterproofing your garage with tanking slurry.

Do the Preparation

Firstly, prepare the walls by clearing away any coatings of paint, render and dust. Next, mix the slurry – if you have bought it as powder – making sure to wear a protective face mask and goggles. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to mix the slurry, and only mix up small batches as the slurry becomes unworkable after 45 minutes.

The slurry is designed to be laid on damp walls, so if the walls are dry, wet the substrate with clean water. It is possible that you may need to create a wall-floor joint, as the join is often where dampness enters a structure. This involves cutting a 2cm x 2cm strip into the wall and floor and filling with slurry, then covering with a sealant. You can source all the slurry, sealant and damp proof paint you will need from suppliers like https://restorationuk.com/damp-proofing-products/damp-proof-paint-for-external-walls.

Two Coatings

You will need to apply the tanking slurry in two coats for it to be effective. Apply the first coating to the brickwork, and brush across the wall parallel with the floor. You then need to wait between two and 24 hours for the walls to be ready for the second coating. As with the first coating, apply in horizontal strokes and also cover the wall-floor joint with a second coat.

Curing and Finishing

It will take a couple of days for the coating to dry out and cure, but you can apply a finish of a breathable render after 24 hours. After the render has dried and the walls cured, you can apply a coat of paint to add some colour.