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I’m getting a little water running in to my basement. The walls are made of regular cement block. Any ideas on what I can do to try to fix it short of digging all the dirt away from the exterior and resealing it? Barb, Detroit, Mi
The easiest, and luckiest solution, would be that the rain is simply blowing in to the exposed block, between the ground and where the siding on the house begins. It can run down to the basement through the center of the block and seep in. Try waterproofing these blocks with Defy All-Purpose Heavy Duty Water Repellent first…maybe you’ll get lucky. If that doesn’t work…call a contractor. - Murray
I have a brick patio that is several years old now. Is there anything that I can use to clean it up and make it look new again? Jason, West Bloomfield, MI
There are three steps to the process…first, clean the patio with Defy Safer Masonry Cleaner. Second, re-sand the joints to replace the sand that has been washed out. Third, apply two coats of Defy Paver Sealer. The result will be a patio that looks like new and has a beautiful, rich “wet look”.- Murray
I have a brick paver patio and the rain continually washes the sand out of the joints. Is there anyway to keep it in place so I don’t have to re-sand them every year? Ben, StClair, MI
Yes. Defy offers a product…Paver Sealer…that will harden or “stabilize” the sand, making it nearly impossible to wash out. By doing this, it also helps to reduce the growth of weeds between the pavers as well as ants colonizing through the sand.- Murray
Murray, I’m getting ready to paint my garage floor and the folks at the paint store said that I need to clean it first with muiatic acid. I’m not sure that I’m comfortable using an acid. Are there any other alternatives? Bobby, Royal Oak, MI
The paint folks are correct…it is essential that you etch the floor prior to painting to insure good adhesion of the paint. Skip the muriatic acid though…Defy now has a product, Safer Masonry Cleaner, that will do everything that muriatic acid does without the harmful fumes and it won’t burn your skin.- Murray
Is there any type of water repellant that I can apply to my building that won’t change its appearance? Tim, Jackson, MI
Water repellents are available in two basic categories…film formers and penetrants. If you stay with penetrants, or products that do not form a film on the surface, the result is little, if any, change to the appearance of the building. Defy All-Purpose Heavy Duty Water Repellent is an excellent choice. - Murray
I need to waterproof my building. Is any one waterproofing better than another? Dave, Novi, Mi
Just as there are a lot of different types of substrates…brick, block, split-face block, etc. there are also several different types of water repellents available to treat them and each has their own benefits. Match the one that’s right for your project at www.defyinfo.com. - Murray
Murray, my home is aluminum sided and very chalky. Can I paint it and, if so, is there anything special that I should do? Don, East Detroit, MI
Yes…yes…and yes! You can paint it and it will look like new aluminum siding when you’re done. Wash it well first with a cleaner, such as TSP. If there is still powdery chalk on the surface, apply a bonding primer, such as Defy Acrylic Water Sealant & Paint Additive. Once the primer has dried, paint the siding with a good acrylic paint, making sure to follow the manufacturers label directions. - Murray
I have white powder developing on the exterior of my brick home and it’s ugly. What is it and how do I stop it? Murray, Southfield, Mi
It is efflorescence…minerals and salts that occur naturally in the environment that are being deposited on the surface of the brick by water. The fix is fairly easy…wire brush them off and treat the surface with Defy All-Purpose Heavy Duty Water Repellent - Murray
I’m getting a little water running in to my basement. The walls are made of regular cement block. Any ideas on what I can do to try to fix it short of digging all the dirt away from the exterior and resealing it? Barb, Detroit, Mi
The easiest, and luckiest solution, would be that the rain is simply blowing in to the exposed block, between the ground and where the siding on the house begins. It can run down to the basement through the center of the block and seep in. Try waterproofing these blocks with Defy All-Purpose Heavy Duty Water Repellent first…maybe you’ll get lucky. If that doesn’t work…call a contractor. - Murray
Ask Murray...
For years, Metro Detroit has relied on Murray Gula and his firsthand knowledge of home improvement. Now Murray has brought together a team to help you with your home improvement problems. To find someone who can help, select a category from the list on the left, or click here to ask Murray a question!
