Moisture is a big problem for many property owners. Masonry and concrete aren’t always 100% waterproof.
Moisture may penetrate from the outside, leading to several issues, such as mold growth, internal damage, and even corrosion. After all, rainwater can contain pollutants that corrode materials within your wall, such as timber.
If you are worried about the effects of moisture penetrating your walls, you may consider using concrete and masonry waterproofers.
These products seal your concrete walls and prevent moisture from passing through. Out of the many masonry waterproofers, BEHR DryPlus and DRYLOK stand out as the best.
Therefore, you may find yourself stuck choosing between the two. The guide below will compare these two waterproofers and help you make an informed decision.
What is BEHR DryPlus?
BEHR DryPlus is a masonry waterproofer formulated for use on porous concrete surfaces. This product can be used on both interior and exterior masonry. You can therefore prevent moisture penetration from inside and outside your walls.
Due to its impressive ability to prevent moisture from passing through, BEHR DryPlus is an ideal waterproofer for basements. It has a flat finish, but you can tint it to get the desired color.
Apart from basements, this waterproof paint can be used in garage walls, brick, stucco, retaining walls, and landscape walls.
BEHR DryPlus can be applied on damp or dry surfaces. But it shouldn’t be used in areas with active water leaks.
A gallon of BEHR DryPlus can cover an area of up to 125 square feet. Make sure you calculate how much will be enough. 2 coats of BEHR DryPlus are enough to seal your walls from moisture.
This masonry waterproofer dries within an hour. It can be recoated after 4 hours. for BEHR DryPlus to fully cure, you should give it around 7 to 14 days.
Some pro-tips you need to keep in mind when using BEHR DryPlus is that it should be applied on freshly installed concrete or masonry with cracks or loose material.
Also, it should be applied only on clean surfaces free of contaminants such as mold. It comes ready to use. Therefore, don’t thin it. For best results, apply it with a nap roller or brush.
This waterproofer can also be painted using an airless sprayer. Many people have praised how easy it is to apply BEHR DryPlus with an airless sprayer without clogging.
What is DRYLOK?
DRYLOK, on the other hand, is an equally popular waterproofing product. This brand has been around for almost seven decades.
DRYLOK makes a wide range of formulas for masonry care. However, we will focus on its concrete and masonry waterproofer.
This product comes with a transferable warranty. Unlike most companies, DRYLOK’s warranty stays with the project, not the installer.
Another thing that I love about this brand is the quality customer support. They will always be there for you in every step of installing this masonry waterproofer.
As mentioned earlier, DRYLOK has a couple of formulas for the masonry waterproofer. There is the original concrete waterproofer, the extreme, powdered, and floor & wall version. Both formulas can be tinted in several colors.
Like BEHR DryPlus, DRYLOK can be applied to both interiors and exteriors. This potent formula can withstand winds of up to 140 mph and water pressure of up to 15 psi. You need at most two coats for it to waterproof your walls.
A gallon of DRYLOK can cover an area of up to 100 square feet. It dries to the touch within 45 minutes. You can recoat it within 2 hours, which is pretty fast. It fully dries within 5 to 7 days.
DRYLOK can be applied via brush, roller, or sprayer. It leaves behind a flat and smooth finish. It can be sprayed over poured concrete, stucco, brick, and masonry walls.
The manufacturer of the DRYLOK waterproofer claims that it can be applied on damp surfaces. But you will get better results when you use it on a dry and clean surface.
As long as it’s applied correctly, DRYLOK can last up to 10 years. What I love about this product is that it has a length and transferable warranty.
In case something goes wrong, you can always claim the warranty. This waterproofer shouldn’t be used on floors because it won’t hold up to traffic for long.
Please note that this waterproofer is only for concrete and masonry work. Don’t apply it over wood or metal.
How Are They Different?
• Drying Time
BEHR DryPlus waterproofer dries to the touch within 1 hour. It can be recoated after 4 hours. And it takes 7 to 14 days to cure fully.
DRYLOK dries to the touch within 45 minutes. It can be recoated after 2 hours. And the best part is that it fully cures within 5 to 7 days.
When you compare these two concrete waterproofers, DRYLOK has a quicker drying formula than its counterpart. Therefore, if you are in a hurry to waterproof your walls, you should go for DRYLOK.
• Coverage
A gallon of BEHR covers up to 125 square feet.
A gallon of DRYLOK only covers up to 100 square feet.
With BEHR DryPlus, you are assured of getting more coverage than DRYLOK. Also, the more space you can cover translates into lower overall costs.
• Number of Formulas Available
There is only one version of the BEHR DryPlus waterproofer.
DRYLOK has around four versions of concrete and masonry waterproofers. There is the Original waterproofer, an enhanced version known as extreme.
A powdered waterproofer is ideal if you prefer to create your paint consistency. They also have a DRYLOK floor and wall waterproofer. This option is convenient because most waterproofing products shouldn’t be used on floors.
If you would like to choose from various waterproofing products, I would highly recommend DRYLOK.
• Resistance to Pressure
BEHR can resist water pressure of up to 12 psi.
DRYLOK has a water resistance level of up to 15 psi.
If you live in a windy and rainy area and want to waterproof your exterior walls, you will have a better chance of using DRYLOK instead of BEHR.
How Are They Similar?
• Number of Coats
Both DRYLOK and BEHR DryPlus require a maximum of two coats. With two coats, either product will adequately waterproof your walls and prevent moisture from passing through.
• Methods of Application
Irrespective of whichever masonry waterproofer you settle for, you can apply them using a brush, roller, or an airless sprayer. It’s worth mentioning that BEHR DryPlus is easier to apply with an airless sprayer because it doesn’t clog.
• It Can Be Used on Both Interior and Exterior
You can appreciate that both options can be used on both the interior and exterior. That’s how tough BEHR DryPlus and DRYLOK are.
• Can Be Tinted in Several Colors
If you prefer a more appealing finish, both products allow you to choose from different tints or color shades.
Pros of BEHR DryPlus
• Better coverage per gallon
• Easy to apply via an airless sprayer
• It can be used on interior and exterior
• It can be coated in various shades
• Durable
Cons
• It has a longer drying time
• Not highly resistant to wind and water
Pros of DRYLOK
• It has a quicker drying time
• Available in several formulas
• Extremely resistant to strong winds and pressure
• You can tint it in multiple colors
• It’s manufactured by a reputable brand
Cons
• A gallon of DRYLOK doesn’t cover a lot of distance
• It is susceptible to flaking
Which is Better: BEHR DryPlus vs. DRYLOK?
Both DRYLOK and BEHR DryPlus have their highlights and selling points. However, as you can see from the above review, there are many key differences.
Both options do a great job with waterproofing walls as long as they are applied correctly. However, DRYLOK has more benefits and features than its counterpart. It dries faster, you can choose from multiple formulas, and it is more resistant to rain and wind.