Basement-wall waterproofing —
against damp & mould
foundation Basement-wall waterproofing

Basement-wall waterproofing
with liquid rubber against damp & ground water

Elastic interior coating for damp basement walls. Stops mould growth, protects the building fabric and stays vapour-permeable — the masonry can keep breathing while water is reliably blocked.

summarize At a glance

Basement waterproofing with liquid rubber gives reliable protection against rising damp, ground water and efflorescence — inside or outside. The elastic membrane bridges fine settlement cracks and stays breathable, so moisture in the wall can still escape. Applied cold in 2 coats, with no torch work and no harsh-smelling solvents.

01 / The problem

When the basement gets damp

Damp basement walls aren't a cosmetic problem — they destroy building fabric, encourage mould and endanger occupants' health. The longer you wait, the more expensive the refurbishment.

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Mould & dark patches

Damp areas of wall become a breeding ground for mould. Black spots, a musty smell, airborne spores — leading to respiratory problems and allergies.

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Salt efflorescence

White crystalline deposits on the wall signal rising damp. The salts spall the render from the inside — classic paints get pushed off under the pressure.

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Musty smell + health risk

Even without visible mould, lasting moisture changes indoor air quality. Occupants report headaches and difficulty concentrating — the basement goes unused, property value drops.

02 / Why RubberPaint

Why liquid rubber for basement walls

air

Vapour-permeable — wall breathes

Water vapour can pass from the inside out, while liquid water is blocked. No moisture trapped behind the coating, no blistering.

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Salt-tolerant

Holds up against the pressure of salt efflorescence. Unlike emulsion paints, the elastic membrane will not lift off when salts push out through the masonry.

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Highly elastic (crack-bridging)

Follows settlement cracks without splitting. The waterproofing stays intact even with small movements in the masonry.

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Mould-inhibiting

Water-based with fungicidal additives — offers no foothold for mould. The closed surface can be wiped down whenever needed.

03 / Application

Step-by-step guide

Step 01 / 05

Prepare the substrate

Remove loose spots without compromise.

Mechanically remove loose and spalled render — down to sound masonry. Fill out with concrete repair mortar or renovation plaster, let cure for 7 days. The wall must be sound, clean and dust-free before further treatment.

With massive damage (> 5 % of the area) consult a masonry specialist — interior coating alone won't be enough here.

Pro tip: Apply a salt-blocking primer before filling — prevents rising salts from later blasting the repair apart.

Prepare the substrate
Step 02 / 05

Treat salts & mould

The invisible brake.

Brush salt crystals off dry — never wash, because water only dissolves the salts briefly and they come back. Then apply a salt-blocking primer to stop migration. With mould: use a commercial mould remover, let act for 24 h, rinse thoroughly, dry for 48 h.

Wall moisture must be below 4 % before further treatment — at higher moisture fix the cause first.

Pro tip: Mould is a symptom, not a cause — find the moisture source (condensation, leaky wall, missing drainage) and fix that first, otherwise mould returns.

Treat salts & mould
Step 03 / 05

Prime if substrate is damp

Hydrophobising deep primer.

On strongly absorbent or damp substrate apply a hydrophobising deep primer. This stabilises the render and improves coating adhesion. Let dry for 12 h before further work.

On stable, dry substrate primer can be skipped — proceed directly to Step 4.

Pro tip: In basements with condensation problems, dry with a building dehumidifier for 1–2 weeks before starting — otherwise residual moisture keeps working under the coating.

Prime if substrate is damp
Step 04 / 05

First coat — base barrier

Dilute with 5 % water.

Work in the first coat generously with brush or lambswool roller — slightly diluted with up to 5 % water for deep penetration. Consumption 150–200 g/m². At settlement cracks or wall-to-floor transitions, embed reinforcement fleece (60 g/m²) into the wet coat and roll flush with a press roller.

Go over corners and connections multiple times — the fleece must be fully saturated.

Pro tip: In damp corners first pull a narrow concrete fillet, then reinforce with fleece — water then runs off instead of collecting in the corner.

First coat — base barrier
Step 05 / 05

Second coat — armour

Undiluted, full coverage.

After 6–8 h drying apply the second coat undiluted. Consumption 100–150 g/m². Cured and safe against rising damp after 28 days. Until then, ventilate the room with low humidity — a building dehumidifier is recommended.

Against pressurised water (groundwater, hillside) interior coating alone is not enough — additional exterior waterproofing required.

Pro tip: In intensively used basement rooms a third coat is recommended — nearly doubles service life and provides extra reserve against micro-cracks.

Second coat — armour
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Pro tip

Against pressurised water (groundwater, hillside positions) interior coating alone is not enough — exterior waterproofing is also required. Interior coating with RubberPaint works reliably against diffuse moisture, condensation and light ingress.

04 / Specifications

Technical data

Consumption per coat 150–200 g/m² (absorbent masonry)
Recommended coats 2 (3 with salt efflorescence)
Drying time 2 h dust-dry · 4 h recoatable
Full cure 28 days
Application temperature +10 °C to +25 °C
Service temperature −20 °C to +50 °C
Vapour permeability V2 to EN 1062-1
Elasticity highly elastic (Class A0/C0 to EN 1062-1)
Max. wall moisture at application ≤ 4 %
Binder Acrylic latex (solvent-free, low odour)
Tool cleaning Water, immediately after application
Material calculator

How much material do I need?

Enter your area and desired number of coats — we recommend the optimum tub combination.

Standard: 2 coats. 3 for heavily exposed surfaces.

info

Consumption: 200 g/m² per coat. +10 % buffer for offcuts and uneven surfaces. For larger projects (> 80 m²) contact us for individual advice.

Recommendation

6,6 kg needed

Calculating…

Total quantity
Total price

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06 / Bestsellers

Recommended colours for basement walls

Light shades make the most of the available light in a basement — white is the standard for habitable rooms, with grey and anthracite for hobby and workshop areas. Reserve black for plinth zones.

08 / FAQ

FAQ — basement-wall waterproofing

Internal or external tanking — which is better?
Exterior waterproofing is the best solution in building-physics terms, but structurally demanding (excavation). Interior waterproofing with RubberPaint works reliably against diffuse moisture and light ingress. Against strongly pressurised groundwater, exterior waterproofing is mandatory — interior waterproofing alone is not enough.
Can I apply it to a damp wall?
No — the wall must have a residual moisture of ≤ 4 % before application. With heavy saturation, fix the cause first (drainage, external crack repair) and let the wall dry for 4–6 weeks. RubberPaint on a wet wall leads to adhesion problems and bubbles.
What do I do about salt efflorescence?
Brush salt crystals off dry (do not wash — water only dissolves the salts briefly, they come back). Then apply a salt-blocking primer to stop migration. Only then apply RubberPaint. With massive salt efflorescence, use three coats instead of two.
Can I paint over the tanking afterwards?
Yes — RubberPaint is overpaintable. After 28 days of curing you can apply an opaque wall paint (dispersion, silicate) as a finish. Test on an inconspicuous spot recommended to check compatibility.
Does the product smell unpleasant indoors?
No — RubberPaint is water-based, solvent-free and low-odour. A light residual odour during drying disappears completely after 24 h of ventilation. Suitable for inhabited basements where people spend time regularly.

Got a technical question?

Our technical team advises on complex applications, substrate analysis and film-thickness calculation.