How to Waterproof a Hillside Basement in Mizoram
Building in Aizawl means building on slopes. While stepped foundations and hillside basements are a structural necessity in Mizoram, they create a massive challenge during the monsoon: hydrostatic pressure.
When heavy rains soak the hillside, water pushes sideways against buried retaining walls. If your basement isn’t properly sealed, water finds its way through the concrete. Because you cannot easily dig up the exterior of a hillside wall once the house is built, you have to stop the water from the inside using Negative-Side Waterproofing.
Step 1: Strip to the Bare Concrete
You cannot waterproof over old paint or weak plaster. Water pressure will simply push it off the wall. Break the existing plaster down to the bare brick or concrete surface and clean it thoroughly with a wire brush.
Step 2: Seal Cracks and Honeycombs
Mix Dr. Fixit Pidicrete URP with cement to create a highly adhesive, waterproof polymer mortar. Pack this mortar tightly into any cracks and honeycombs. It ensures the patch bonds flawlessly with the old concrete and won't shrink.
Step 3: Apply the Waterproofing Shield
Apply two coats of Dr. Fixit Dampguard directly onto the damp masonry. Dampguard is an epoxy coating that penetrates the pores of the concrete, curing into a tough barrier that withstands intense negative hydrostatic pressure.
Step 4: Apply Waterproof Plaster
Add Dr. Fixit LW+ (Liquid Waterproofing Compound) to your fresh cement mix at a ratio of 200 ml per 50 kg bag. LW+ acts as a pore-sealer within the plaster itself, preventing any remaining capillary action.