Brick & Block Waterproofing
Stop Leaks Before They Spread
Masonry Sealing & Waterproofing
At PN Masonry Co., we provide brick and block sealing and waterproofing in Franklin Park, IL. We work on basement walls, retaining walls, garage blocks, and exterior facades. If you see stains, damp patches, or soft mortar, we can help. Our goal is to seal your masonry right the first time so water stays out.
Unsealed masonry in Franklin Park absorbs water fast — especially through freeze-thaw months. We assess your walls, apply the right sealer, and schedule work quickly. Properly sealed masonry lasts longer, stays cleaner, and avoids costly structural repairs down the road.
Get in touch!
Your Cinder Blocks and Brick Need Sealing — Here's How to Know
Homeowners and property managers in Franklin Park often miss the early signs. You might see white chalky residue on your block face. You might notice dark wet patches after rain or a musty smell coming from your basement. Flaking block faces and soft mortar joints are also warning signs.
Cook County soil is heavy with clay. That clay traps moisture directly against your foundation walls all year. Catching the problem early means sealing costs far less than replacing damaged blocks later. If you notice any of these signs, call us before the damage spreads.
How Water Gets Through Concrete Blocks and What Stops It
Water does not need a large crack to get through a concrete block wall. It enters through porous block faces, cracked mortar joints, floor-to-wall gaps, and window well runoff. Older block foundations in Franklin Park are especially vulnerable because they were built before modern drainage standards.
We stop water entry by identifying the source first. Depending on what we find, we may use a penetrating sealer, hydraulic cement, a drainage mat system, or an exterior membrane coating. The right fix depends on where the water is coming from — not just what the wall looks like on the surface.
What Happens After Sealing — Results, Curing, and What Not to Do
After we seal your masonry, the product needs time to bond. You will typically need to keep the surface dry for 24 to 72 hours after application. Do not pressure wash the wall for at least 30 days. If you see water re-seeping at the joints shortly after, that signals a missed crack — call us and we will take a look.
Spring and fall are the best times to seal masonry in Franklin Park. Temperatures between 50 and 80°F allow the sealer to cure properly. We plan your project around those windows when possible. Most jobs are scheduled for re-inspection every three to five years to keep protection in place.
The Right Sealer for Brick, Block, and Concrete in Franklin Park, IL
Not every sealer works on every surface. Matching the sealer to your specific masonry type prevents peeling, moisture trapping, and costly re-work. Franklin Park sees more than 40 freeze-thaw cycles in an average winter. That means your masonry needs a breathable, penetrating sealer — not a film-forming paint or coating.
We work with three main sealer types:
- Silane-siloxane penetrating sealers — best for most brick and block in Franklin Park
- Acrylic surface coats — used on specific applications where surface protection is needed
- Elastomeric membranes — applied where flex and waterproofing depth are required
The wrong sealer traps moisture inside the wall and causes spalling. We select the right product for your surface before any work begins.
Common Waterproofing Mistakes That Make the Problem Worse
Many homeowners try to fix water issues themselves. The problem usually comes back — and often worse. Surface-only patches miss the real moisture source entirely. We see this regularly on properties where the same wall has been patched multiple times.
Here are the most common mistakes we find:
- Sealing over wet or dirty block
- Using interior paint instead of a masonry sealer
- Skipping mortar joint repair before sealing
- Applying the sealer too thin
- Pressure washing too soon after sealing
Each of these mistakes shortens the life of the treatment. If your previous sealing job failed, call PN Masonry Co. at 773 954 8986 and we’ll assess what went wrong.
Why Painting Brick Causes Problems — and What to Do Instead
Painting brick is one of the most common masonry mistakes we see in Franklin Park. Paint traps water vapor inside the brick. Over time, that trapped moisture causes spalling — the surface breaks apart from the inside out. Once paint is on brick, it is extremely difficult to remove without damaging the face.
There are better ways to protect and refresh your brick:
• Clear penetrating sealer — protects without changing the look
• Breathable masonry stain — adds color while still allowing the wall to breathe
• Mortar tuckpointing — restores the joints and sharpens the overall appearance
If you want to protect your brick without causing long-term damage, we can walk you through the right option for your property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — cinder block is highly porous and absorbs moisture quickly. Franklin Park’s clay-heavy soil and seasonal rain push moisture directly against foundation and retaining walls. Sealing is one of the most practical steps you can take to protect those surfaces.
Clean the wall surface, repair any cracked mortar joints, then apply a penetrating waterproof sealer. For severe seeping, an exterior membrane or drainage system may be needed. We assess the wall first so you get the right fix — not just a surface patch.
A silane-siloxane penetrating sealer works best for most masonry in Franklin Park. It repels water without trapping vapor inside the wall. Film-forming sealers can cause problems if the wrong type is used on the wrong surface.
Yes — high-pressure washing can remove surface sealers, especially in the first 30 days after application. Use low-pressure rinsing only and wait at least a month before any power washing near sealed surfaces.
Yes, especially on exposed facades in Franklin Park where rain and freeze-thaw cycles hit the surface directly. We confirm whether sealing alone is enough or whether re-pointing the mortar joints should happen first.
Film-forming sealers can trap moisture and peel if applied to a wet or dirty surface. A breathable penetrating sealer applied correctly avoids this problem. That is why surface prep and product selection matter before any sealing job starts.
Get a Free Quote
If you’re seeing signs of moisture or want to protect your masonry before problems start, now is the time to act. Contact PN Masonry Co. to schedule brick and block waterproofing in Franklin Park, IL. We’ll assess your walls, choose the right sealer, and get the job done right so water stays out and your masonry holds up through every season.