Home › Masonry Waterproofing and Coatings
We provide masonry waterproofing in Greensboro, NC for commercial brick, block, and stone walls. Our services include sealers, elastomeric coatings, and targeted repairs around parapets and penetrations. Legendary Masonry Greensboro helps reduce leaks and staining while extending the life of your exterior masonry systems.
Legendary Masonry Greensboro provides professional masonry waterproofing throughout Greensboro, NC, North Carolina and the surrounding area. Our licensed, insured crew delivers safe, clean, on-time work with a free estimate before anything begins. Call 336-647-6762 or request your free quote.
Masonry waterproofing that fits Greensboro’s climate
Masonry in Greensboro takes a beating from humid summers, sudden downpours, and winter freeze-thaw cycles. If brick, block, or stone walls are not properly sealed, water gets into tiny cracks and mortar joints, then expands when it freezes, which leads to spalling brick faces, crumbling joints, peeling paint, and interior leaks.
Legendary Masonry Greensboro focuses on masonry waterproofing that is tuned to local conditions, not just generic sealers off the shelf. We look at how your building actually gets wet: wind-driven rain on one side of the house, roof runoff hitting a particular wall, or moisture wicking up from the ground. Instead of one product for everything, we match clear breathable sealers, elastomeric coatings, or below-grade membranes to what your masonry is facing day to day in Guilford County.
Whether you have a brick home in Fisher Park, a block foundation in Starmount, or a commercial CMU wall along Wendover, the goal is the same: stop water intrusion without trapping moisture inside the wall. That balance is the core of effective masonry waterproofing, and if a contractor cannot explain how their system stays breathable, you should not let them coat your walls.
Our step-by-step masonry waterproofing process
A proper masonry waterproofing job is more than just rolling on a sealer. Legendary Masonry Greensboro uses a fixed sequence so problems do not get sealed in under a coating.
1. Inspection and moisture mapping. We walk the property and mark where water is actually entering: efflorescence lines, damp basement corners, hairline cracks, mortar gaps, and joints around windows and doors. We ask how water behaves during Greensboro thunderstorms, not just how the wall looks on a dry day.
2. Surface cleaning. Coatings will fail fast if they are applied over dirt, mildew, or old flaking paint. We typically use low-pressure washing combined with masonry-safe cleaners to remove biological growth and stains while avoiding damage to soft or historic brick. In shaded Greensboro neighborhoods with heavy tree cover, mildew removal is especially important.
3. Repair and prep. Cracked or missing mortar gets ground out and repointed with a compatible mortar mix, not just smeared over. Wider cracks may get epoxy injection or a cementitious patch. We seal penetrations around vents and utility lines and address any obvious flashing problems that are letting bulk water behind the wall.
4. Choose the right system. For exposed brick or stone where the look matters, we often use a penetrating silane/siloxane sealer that keeps the masonry breathable. For older, more porous block or heavily weathered walls, we may recommend an elastomeric coating that bridges hairline cracks. For below-grade foundations we use cementitious waterproofing or membrane systems that can stand up to soil pressure.
5. Application to manufacturer specs. We apply sealers and coatings at the correct coverage rate, in the right number of coats, and observe the stated cure times, which can vary based on Greensboro’s humidity and temperature. Rushing this step is a common reason DIY jobs peel or fail early.
6. Final check and documentation. After curing, we re-check vulnerable areas, note the products used, and explain maintenance intervals so you know when to call us for a future inspection.
Waterproofing options and where they make sense
Not every masonry waterproofing product belongs on every wall. Legendary Masonry Greensboro lays out your options clearly, including the tradeoffs.
Clear penetrating sealers: These are ideal when you want to preserve the natural appearance of brick or stone. They soak into the pores and repel liquid water while allowing water vapor to escape. We commonly use these on Greensboro brick homes that are in good structural shape but showing early signs of moisture staining or efflorescence.
Elastomeric coatings: These are thicker, flexible coatings that not only block water but also span hairline cracks and small movement joints. They are well suited for stucco, CMU block, or previously painted masonry, especially on south and west walls that get hammered by sun and storm cycles. They change the look of the wall, so we provide color samples and sheen options.
Cementitious waterproofing: This is a brush- or trowel-applied cement-based coating for foundations and retaining walls. It is breathable yet very durable against soil contact and hydrostatic pressure. We often use this inside or outside basement walls in neighborhoods with heavier clay soils that hold water.
Hybrid systems: On some projects we combine products, for example a cementitious coating below grade tied into a flashing line, with a breathable sealer above grade. The goal is to create a continuous water management system that fits your exact wall construction instead of forcing one material to do every job.
Common masonry moisture problems in Greensboro and how we fix them
Local conditions in Greensboro create predictable patterns of masonry damage, and understanding those patterns helps us plan effective waterproofing.
Efflorescence and white staining: The white, chalky deposits on brick or block are mineral salts left behind when water evaporates. Simply washing them off without addressing the moisture source guarantees they will return. We locate and correct the source, whether it is grade sloping toward the wall, missing sealant at a control joint, or a leaking gutter, then apply a compatible water repellent.
Spalling bricks and crumbling faces: When water gets behind the hard fired face of a brick and freezes, the face can pop off. In older Greensboro neighborhoods with softer brick, this problem is common. We carefully remove unsalvageable units, insert matching brick where available, and use breathable waterproofing instead of thick non-breathable coatings that can accelerate spalling.
Leaking basement or crawlspace walls: Block foundations often show horizontal cracks or damp lines where groundwater pressure is highest. We address exterior drainage where possible, then apply cementitious waterproofing and, in many cases, add an interior drainage plane or sump system through a partner contractor. Simply painting the inside with standard paint is not a fix and will peel.
Hairline cracking in stucco or parged block: Tiny cracks add up to a lot of water over time. For these surfaces we clean, repair cracks with flexible sealants or patch materials, then apply an elastomeric coating system that can stretch and move with the wall, which is important in North Carolina’s temperature swings.
What affects cost and timeline for masonry waterproofing
Legendary Masonry Greensboro prices masonry waterproofing based on real site conditions, not flat per-square-foot guesses. Several factors can move your project cost up or down.
Access and height: A simple one-story wall with driveway access is much faster to prep and coat than a three-story gable that needs full scaffold or lift rental. Tight backyards and steep grades can also add setup time.
Condition of the masonry: If your brick or block is sound and mainly needs cleaning plus a sealer, project costs stay moderate. If we find widespread mortar failure, spalled bricks, or structural cracks that must be repaired before coating, that additional work is factored in.
Type of waterproofing system: Penetrating sealers are generally less expensive than multi-coat elastomeric systems or full below-grade waterproofing. However, using the wrong product to save a little money usually leads to rework. We explain why a particular system is recommended so you see the logic behind the pricing.
Weather windows: Greensboro’s humidity and rainfall patterns matter. Many products should not be applied when rain is imminent or temperatures are too low. We schedule work in phases to take advantage of good weather and avoid rushed applications that shorten the life of the system.
During your estimate, we outline the scope, surface preparation required, product choices, and realistic timelines, so you know what you are paying for and when the job will be finished.
What to ask before hiring a masonry waterproofing contractor
If you hire the wrong contractor, you can end up with peeling coatings or trapped moisture inside your walls. Legendary Masonry Greensboro encourages homeowners and property managers to ask pointed questions, even if you do not choose us.
Ask how they will keep the wall breathable. Any contractor who cannot explain the difference between vapor-permeable water repellents and non-breathable barriers should not be coating your brick or block.
Ask what surface prep is included. If their plan is “pressure wash and paint,” that is incomplete for real masonry waterproofing. You want details about crack repair, repointing where needed, and joint resealing.
Ask which specific products they use and why. You should hear actual brand or chemistry types (such as silane/siloxane sealer or elastomeric acrylic coating), not just “waterproofer.” Then ask how long those products have been used in our area.
Ask about local experience. Masonry in Greensboro behaves differently than in drier or colder regions. A contractor with real local history knows how our red clay soil, afternoon storms, and humidity affect basements and exterior walls.
We are ready to walk you through these questions on site and show you previous masonry waterproofing work in and around Greensboro, so you can see how a correctly chosen and applied system actually performs over time.
