Home › Masonry Waterproofing and Coatings
We provide masonry waterproofing in Salt Lake, UT to protect brick, block, and stone walls from water damage. Our services include breathable sealers, elastomeric coatings, and parapet waterproofing for commercial and multifamily buildings. Extend the life of your masonry envelope with planned waterproofing.
Superior Masonry Salt Lake provides professional masonry waterproofing throughout Salt Lake, UT, Utah and the surrounding area. Our licensed, insured crew delivers safe, clean, on-time work with a free estimate before anything begins. Call (385) 243-7505 or request your free quote.
Why masonry waterproofing matters in Salt Lake’s climate
In Salt Lake, masonry takes a beating from freeze–thaw cycles, valley temperature swings, and our dry-to-sudden-storm weather pattern. Brick, block, stone, and mortar all soak up moisture, then expand and contract as temperatures drop. Over a few winters, that movement can crack mortar joints, pop faces off bricks, and let water reach rebar or interior framing.
Masonry waterproofing is how we interrupt that cycle. At Superior Masonry Salt Lake, we look at each wall or chimney as a system: masonry units, mortar, flashing, caps, and any coatings that are already present. The goal is not to trap moisture inside the wall but to limit how much gets in and to help what does get in dry out quickly.
On older homes in neighborhoods like Sugar House or The Avenues, we often find hairline cracks and porous mortar that have slowly taken in winter meltwater. On newer commercial buildings in West Valley or South Salt Lake, we see poorly sealed control joints or coatings that were never suited to Utah’s UV exposure. In both cases, a good waterproofing plan keeps the structure safer, keeps interior finishes from staining, and reduces long-term repair costs.
Done right, masonry waterproofing is invisible to most people; the building just stays drier and holds its appearance longer. Done poorly, it can peel, trap moisture, or leave shiny blotches. That is why product choice and preparation matter as much as the application itself.
How Superior Masonry Salt Lake evaluates your masonry
Before we ever talk about coatings, we perform an inspection tailored to Salt Lake conditions. This usually starts with a walkaround and documentation of the wall surfaces. We look for efflorescence (white powdery salts), spalling (faces of bricks flaking off), hairline and step cracks in mortar joints, failing caulk around windows, and any signs of water traveling inside, such as interior staining or efflorescence on basement walls.
We test porosity by wetting small sections to see how quickly the masonry darkens and dries. This helps determine whether a penetrating sealer or a film-forming coating is appropriate. On taller buildings downtown or in Murray, we may use lifts or rope access to examine parapets, copings, and upper-story details, since water entry often starts at the top.
We also pay attention to local drainage patterns. In many Salt Lake yards, sprinkler heads are set too close to brick or block, especially along side yards. Constant sprinkler spray does more damage, over time, than most storms. We note those issues so you can decide whether to adjust landscaping or irrigation while we address the wall.
Moisture sources inside the building matter too. In basements and foundation walls, a musty smell, peeling paint, or rusting bottom plates tell us moisture is moving through the wall. We may recommend pairing exterior waterproofing with interior vapor management or drainage improvements so you get more than a band-aid fix.
Our masonry waterproofing and coating process
Once we understand what your masonry needs, Superior Masonry Salt Lake follows a step by step process designed for long service in Utah’s climate.
1. Surface cleaning and prep: We remove dirt, loose paint, biological growth, and efflorescence. Depending on the situation we use low-pressure washing, masonry-safe cleaners, or gentle mechanical methods. In older brick areas like Capitol Hill, we are careful to avoid harsh blasting that can destroy the hard-fired outer surface and actually make the wall more absorbent.
2. Repairs before coating: Waterproofing is only as good as the surface it goes on. We repoint cracked or missing mortar joints with a compatible mortar mix, re-bed loose bricks or blocks, and patch small surface defects. On parapets or the tops of walls, we address loose caps or metal flashings, since water that comes in from the top will defeat even the best wall coating.
3. Product selection: For most above-grade brick, stone, or block in Salt Lake, we favor high-quality penetrating sealers based on silane, siloxane, or blends that soak into the masonry. These reduce water absorption while still allowing vapor to escape, so trapped moisture can dry out. On certain commercial or painted surfaces, we may use elastomeric or acrylic coatings that create a flexible film, especially where there are movement cracks or hairlines that need bridging.
4. Application: We apply water repellents and coatings with low-pressure sprayers, rollers, or brushes, depending on the texture and access. Coverage rates are carefully calculated so the masonry gets full saturation without excessive runoff. On many projects we apply two coats wet-on-wet, so that the second coat can drive the first deeper into the pores of the material.
5. Detailing and joints: Expansion joints, window perimeters, and penetrations are critical. We remove failing caulk, install proper backer rod where needed, and use sealants designed to handle UV exposure and temperature swings. This detailing step is often where quick jobs cut corners, which is why water sometimes returns even after a building has been “sealed.”
6. Final check: After curing, we perform water testing in selected spots and visually confirm that the surface appearance is even, without glossy blotches or missed areas. We explain what was done, what products we used, and what maintenance intervals to expect based on your location and wall exposure.
Costs, options, and what affects your price
Masonry waterproofing cost in Salt Lake varies based on several practical factors, not simply the square footage.
Access: Single-story ranch homes in Rose Park with open yard access are much more straightforward than tight lots or three-story townhomes with limited ladder placement. If we need lifts, staging, or complex fall protection, that adds to labor and equipment cost.
Condition of the masonry: A relatively sound wall that only needs minor mortar touch-ups and cleaning will cost less than one with extensive repointing, spalling repair, or loose caps. If mortar joints are badly eroded, the repointing can become the major part of the project, with waterproofing as the final step.
Type of waterproofing: Penetrating water repellents are generally less expensive per square foot than high-build elastomeric coatings or multi-coat systems for high-traffic or below-grade areas. However, if your building experiences a lot of wind-driven rain or has chronic cracking, a heavier-duty system might be the best investment.
Height and complexity of surfaces: Chimneys, decorative arches, and stone accents take more time than flat stretches of concrete block. Decorative masonry on custom homes in neighborhoods like Olympus Cove or Holladay often requires more precise application so the finished look remains natural.
Timing and weather: In Utah, masonry waterproofing is most reliable when applied between late spring and early fall, when surfaces are dry and night temperatures stay above product minimums. Trying to rush work in a cold snap or during a string of fall storms can lead to poor bonding or uneven absorption. We schedule your project to avoid those risks and will tell you honestly if a weather window is not suitable.
Superior Masonry Salt Lake always provides a written proposal that spells out the specific products, prep steps, and repair work included, so you can compare more than just a bottom-line number when you look at other bids.
What Salt Lake property owners should know before hiring
There are a few key points every Salt Lake homeowner or building manager should keep in mind before approving any masonry waterproofing work.
First, not every masonry surface should be sealed with the same product. Historic soft brick, dense architectural block, natural stone, and stucco each respond differently. Ask your contractor exactly what chemistry they plan to use and whether it is vapor permeable. At Superior Masonry Salt Lake, we avoid non-breathable products on most above-grade masonry because they can trap moisture that enters from the interior or from small cracks.
Second, look for a contractor who addresses underlying defects. If an estimate skips over mortar repair, flashing problems, or drainage issues and only mentions “seal wall,” the results will likely be short-lived. A proper solution combines repairs, water management, and coatings that work together.
Third, ask about sample tests. On many projects, we will apply a test area on an inconspicuous part of the wall so you can see how the sealer or coating looks once it has cured. This is important on natural stone or older brick, where some darkening can occur depending on porosity.
Fourth, discuss maintenance expectations. Most penetrating sealers in our climate need re-application somewhere in the 7 to 15 year range, depending on exposure to sun and weather. High UV exposure on south and west faces in the Salt Lake Valley can shorten that interval, while shaded north walls may go longer. We explain what to watch for, such as water no longer beading on the surface, so you know when to call us back.
Finally, make sure your contractor is insured, familiar with local building types, and willing to talk through details. Superior Masonry Salt Lake has worked on everything from mid-century brick homes in Glendale to commercial block buildings along State Street, and we bring that local experience to each job so your waterproofing holds up through many Utah winters.
