How to Water Proof Between Wood & Cement
Waterproofing gaps between wood and cement surfaces is simply a matter of caulking the joint between the two materials. It is true that some gaps between wood and cement can be quite sizable, but there is a way to deal with that issue. The main thing to remember is to use a caulking product that will work well for the conditions that the wood and cement are subjected to. Many different caulk products are available, and at least one of them will work phenomenally well for your needs.
Step 1
Load a tube of caulk into a caulking gun. Pull the trigger several times until the plunger rests on the end of the caulk tube.
Step 2
Cut the end of the caulk tube off with a utility knife to accommodate the size of the gap between the wood and the cement. Fill large gaps with backer rod to save caulk. Poke the inner foil seal through the open end of the tube to allow the caulk to dispense.
Step 3
Fill the gap between the wood and the cement with backer rod if needed. Place the end of the caulk tube at one end of the gap, and pull on the caulk gun trigger to begin dispensing caulk into the gap.
Step 4
Tool the gap, either with your finger or with a caulk finishing tool, to smooth the surface of the caulk and to force the caulk farther into the gap to create a tighter seal between the wood and the cement. Allow the caulk to dry and cure before exposing the caulk to water.
References
Resources
Writer Bio
Kelly Nuttall is a student at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. She is set to graduate in the spring of 2011 with her bachelor's degree in technical communications. She has been writing for various websites since March of 2009.
Photo Credits
- drops of a rain image by amlet from Fotolia.com
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