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We provide masonry waterproofing in Allentown, PA to protect brick, block, and stone buildings from water intrusion and damage. Our services include clear sealers, elastomeric coatings, parapet waterproofing, and targeted repairs that keep moisture out while allowing walls to function properly.
Legendary Masonry Allentown provides professional masonry waterproofing throughout Allentown, PA, Pennsylvania and the surrounding area. Our licensed, insured crew delivers safe, clean, on-time work with a free estimate before anything begins. Call 484-284-5120 or request your free quote.
Targeted Masonry Waterproofing for Allentown’s Climate
Brick, block, and stone in Allentown take a real beating from freeze-thaw cycles, driving rain, and road salt. At Legendary Masonry Allentown, our masonry waterproofing service is built specifically around what we see every week in Lehigh County: spalling brick faces, white efflorescence streaks, damp basement walls, and water staining on chimneys.
The goal is not to trap moisture inside your walls. Instead, we use breathable systems that let water vapor escape while blocking liquid water from entering. This is crucial in Pennsylvania, where winter temperatures regularly dip below freezing. If moisture is locked inside masonry, it expands as it freezes and starts popping off faces of brick or stone.
On a typical project, we begin by identifying how water is actually getting in. That might be through hairline cracks in mortar joints, porous brick, poorly flashed sills, or cap stones with failed sealant joints. We test with moisture meters, visual inspection, and sometimes controlled water testing on suspect areas. Once we know the paths, we design a waterproofing and coating plan that addresses the sources rather than just painting over symptoms.
Our Step-by-Step Waterproofing Process
Legendary Masonry Allentown follows a consistent, tested process that we adjust to your specific home or building.
1. Detailed inspection: We walk the entire structure, focusing on wind-driven rain sides, chimney stacks, foundation walls near downspouts, and any interior areas where you see dampness or staining. We document cracks, soft mortar, deteriorated sealant, and failing coatings.
2. Surface preparation: Proper prep is most of the job. We gently clean masonry using low-pressure washing or specialized cleaners so we do not erode brick faces. We remove loose paint, deteriorated sealant, and crumbly mortar. Any biological growth like mildew or algae is treated so it will not keep growing under the new system.
3. Repairs before waterproofing: Waterproofing over damaged masonry is a short-term fix. We repoint loose or missing mortar joints, replace badly spalled bricks or blocks, reseal window and door perimeters, and fix coping or cap stone joints with appropriate sealants. On chimneys, we address crown cracks and failing flashings where needed.
4. Product selection: Based on the masonry type and location, we choose between clear penetrating sealers, breathable elastomeric coatings, or cementitious waterproofing for below-grade applications. For example, historic brick in Center City Allentown usually gets a silane or siloxane penetrating sealer so the natural look is preserved. A painted commercial block building near Airport Road might benefit more from a high-build elastomeric coating.
5. Careful application: We follow manufacturer spread rates and environmental guidelines. Penetrating sealers are typically applied in one or two wet-on-wet coats using low-pressure sprayers and back-brushing into joints. Coatings are rolled or sprayed in multiple passes to achieve the proper dry film thickness, especially important on windward walls.
6. Final check and clean-up: Once cured, we re-inspect, perform spot water testing where appropriate, and walk you through what was done, what products were used, and expected maintenance intervals so you know exactly how to care for your investment.
Waterproofing Options and Coatings We Use
Different parts of an Allentown property often need different waterproofing approaches. Legendary Masonry Allentown matches the system to your structure rather than using one product everywhere.
Clear penetrating sealers: Ideal when you want to keep the natural look of brick, stone, or block. These are usually silane, siloxane, or a blend that soaks into the masonry pores and chemically bonds. They repel liquid water but remain vapor permeable. We use them a lot on front facades in West End neighborhoods and on decorative stonework in developments near South Mountain.
Elastomeric wall coatings: These are thicker, flexible coatings often used on stucco and concrete block. They help span small hairline cracks and are good for wind-driven rain. These coatings come in tintable bases, so we can match most paint colors. They are popular on mixed-use and commercial buildings along Hamilton Street where aesthetics and performance both matter.
Cementitious waterproofing: For basement walls or retaining walls that may have some soil contact, we often add a cement-based waterproofing layer. This is either brush- or spray-applied directly to cleaned masonry. It creates a continuous barrier that stands up well to hydrostatic pressure, which is a concern in parts of Allentown with high water tables or heavy runoff.
Detail sealants and flashing work: Joints around windows, doors, penetrations, and control joints are typical leak points. We include compatible joint sealants, backer rod where needed, and we assess metal flashings at chimneys, parapet caps, and transitions. Often, a long-term waterproofing solution is a combination of good coatings and meticulous detail work at these small but important locations.
Common Waterproofing Problems We Solve in Allentown
Legendary Masonry Allentown has seen the same water issues repeat across Allentown’s older row homes, mid-century properties, and newer builds. Understanding them helps you know what to watch for.
Freeze-thaw damage: When unprotected masonry soaks up water before a cold snap, faces start flaking off. You may notice crumbling corners or brick faces popping. We stop more damage by targeting those wet areas with repairs, then applying a breathable waterproofing system so the wall can dry out before winter.
Basement and foundation seepage: In neighborhoods with older stone or block foundations, water may appear as a damp line or seeping joints after heavy rain. We evaluate grading, gutter discharge, and exterior wall conditions first. Often, the solution is a combination of exterior cementitious waterproofing, crack injection in severe cases, and improving how surface water is routed away from the house.
Efflorescence and staining: That white, chalky substance on bricks is salt left behind as water evaporates through the wall. We remove existing efflorescence with appropriate cleaners and then address the moisture source, whether it is missing mortar, porous brick, or clogged weep joints. A breathable penetrating sealer often follows.
Failed previous coatings: Many Allentown properties have been painted repeatedly over the years with non-breathable paints. Blistering, peeling, and trapped moisture inside the wall are common results. In these situations we carefully strip or mechanically remove loose layers where practical, sometimes use vapor-permeable intermediate primers, then install a proper masonry-specific waterproofing system that lets the wall breathe again.
What Affects Cost and Timing of Masonry Waterproofing
Home and building owners often ask why waterproofing quotes can vary so much. Legendary Masonry Allentown explains pricing clearly so you understand where your investment is going.
Access and height: A single-story foundation wall around a ranch home is far easier to work on than a three-story row home with limited side access. Multi-story work may require scaffolding or lifts, which affects both time and cost. Narrow alleyways or tight urban lots in Center City Allentown often need special staging.
Condition of existing masonry: If your walls are fairly sound, with only minor cracks and light cleaning required, the project stays closer to the base price. If we find widespread spalling brick, deep mortar joint failure, or hidden structural concerns, it is more cost effective to repair these before applying waterproofing. Skipping repairs usually results in a system that fails early.
Type of waterproofing system: Penetrating sealers are usually less expensive per square foot than high-build elastomeric coatings or multi-layer systems that combine cementitious waterproofing and top coatings. However, the right choice is based on performance needs, not just price. For example, a basement wall with occasional seepage might justify the more robust system.
Local factors and scheduling: Allentown’s weather plays a role. Most products have temperature and humidity limits, so we schedule work in appropriate windows. Sudden rain or cold snaps can extend project timelines slightly. For some commercial properties or multi-unit buildings, we also coordinate with local property managers or HOAs and, when needed, follow any facade appearance guidelines they require.
Before any work begins, we provide a written scope that lists what surfaces will be treated, what repairs are included, what products will be used, and the estimated schedule so you are never guessing about what you are paying for.
Why Allentown Homeowners Trust Legendary Masonry Allentown
Choosing a masonry waterproofing contractor is about more than picking a product. It is about trusting someone to protect the structure of your home or building for years to come.
Legendary Masonry Allentown focuses only on masonry and closely related services, so we understand how local bricks, blocks, and stones behave over time in the Lehigh Valley climate. We regularly work on historic facades, newer developments, and everything in between, which means we can adjust our approach from delicate preservation to heavy-duty protection as needed.
We are transparent about product options and never push a one-size-fits-all solution. If clear penetrating sealer is all you need on a sheltered wall, we will tell you that. If a specific side of your building takes the full brunt of nor’easters and needs a more substantial coating, we will explain why and show you past examples.
Our crews keep work areas orderly, protect landscaping and nearby surfaces from overspray, and maintain communication throughout the job. When the work is complete, we show you exactly what was done and provide maintenance guidance, such as realistic re-application intervals and what early warning signs to watch for.
If you are seeing leaks, staining, or crumbling masonry anywhere in Allentown, PA, Legendary Masonry Allentown can evaluate the issue and design a masonry waterproofing and coating plan that fits your structure, your goals, and your budget.
