How to Install Wykamol HydraDry

HydraDry tanking slurry installation — walls & floors (illustration only)

1. What is HydraDry?

Wykamol HydraDry is a cementitious waterproofing slurry used to form a continuous barrier (Type A protection) against water ingress through masonry and concrete. It is suitable for use internally or externally, above or below ground, and is commonly used on basements, service rooms, retaining walls and slabs.

2. Where HydraDry is used

• Internal faces of basements, cellars and retaining structures.
• Concrete/blockwork walls and solid floors subject to damp or water pressure.
• As part of a combined approach with cavity drain membranes in higher-risk sites.

3. Safety & preparation

• PPE: Gloves, eye protection and a suitable mask/respirator when mixing or grinding.
• Defects first: Stop active leaks with a rapid-setting plugging compound (e.g., a compatible water-stop mortar) before coating.
• Surface: Remove paint, oils, laitance and loose material. Mechanically prepare to a clean, open-pore finish.
• Repairs/fillets: Use a compatible waterproof universal mortar to level hollows and form fillets at wall–floor/internal corners.
• Dampen: Lightly dampen porous substrates to SSD (saturated surface-dry) prior to coating—no standing water.

4. Tools & materials

• Wykamol HydraDry tanking slurry (powder)
• Clean water, mixing bucket and paddle mixer
• Water-stop plugging mortar (for active leaks), universal mortar (for fillets/levelling)
• Brush, roller or spray equipment; steel float (optional)
• Measuring tools, straightedge, masking/temporary protection

5. Mixing (follow product data sheet)

• Add powder to measured clean water while mechanically mixing to a smooth, lump-free consistency.
• Respect pot life; do not re-temper. Mix manageable batches only.
• Apply within the recommended temperature/humidity window.

6. Application — first coat

1. Pre-dampen the substrate to SSD (no surface water).
2. Apply the first coat by brush or spray, scrubbing firmly into pores and pinholes for full contact.
3. Maintain even coverage; do not leave thin/translucent areas.

7. Application — second coat

1. Allow the first coat to reach initial cure (finger-firm; timing depends on conditions).
2. Apply the second coat at 90° to the first (cross-hatch) to improve uniformity and continuity.
3. Extend coatings beyond visibly damp areas onto sound substrate for a robust lap.

8. Floors & wall–floor junctions

• Prepare slabs as per walls; remove weak laitance and contaminants.
• Form cementitious fillets at junctions before coating both floor and wall continuously.
• Protect coated floors from early traffic; respect cure times before screeds/finishes.

9. Detailing & interfaces

• Terminate beneath skirtings or within chases where appropriate.
• Reinforce changes of substrate/plane if specified; address penetrations with sleeves/sealants.
• When combining with a Type C system, ensure clean transitions to membranes, channels and upstands.

10. Curing, protection & finishing

• Protect fresh coats from rapid drying, frost, direct water impact and abrasion.
• Allow full cure per data sheet before applying renders/boards/adhesives.
• Use compatible breathable finishes where required; avoid solvent-based products directly on cementitious coats.

11. Quality checks & common pitfalls

• Pinholes/holidays: From poor prep or thin application—re-coat locally to reinstate continuity.
• Adhesion issues: On dusty or painted surfaces—mechanical preparation is essential.
• Junction failures: Always form fillets at internal corners and detail penetrations carefully.

12. When to combine with Type C

For higher-risk basements aiming for a dry, habitable environment, designers often combine Type A HydraDry with a Type C drained cavity system (e.g., stud membranes, channels, sump & pump). This reduces water load on the barrier and adds serviceable redundancy.

13. Product availability

All components for this system—Wykamol HydraDry tanking slurry, rapid-setting water-stop mortar, universal mortar for fillets/levelling, cavity drain membranes, perimeter channels, and sump & pump kits—are available directly from Clever Shield Coatings. Use the website search bar or browse our product categories to find what you need.