What to put over drywall to waterproof it

[77thor]

I need suggestions; what can I put over drywall to make it waterproof?
The lower portions of the walls in my garage can get wet at times and I'm looking for something to cover the bottom 4 feet of sheetrock.

Perhaps sheets of some material or some type of paint; no tiles...
Suggestions?
Opinions?

 

[rlitman]

FRP perhaps.

 

[kevin47]

How about some galvanized sheet metal...? You might want to avoid washing vehicles IN your garage...lol

 

[mayday0017]

Water proof or water resistant.... Big difference between the two

 

[-Brent-]

RedGard

I've used this in other applications with success. If you're going to put something over it, like metal, I'd definitely recommend this.

 

[77thor]

FRP perhaps.

I'm not familiar with that product... what is it??

Aaaaah... Fiberglass Reinforced Panels... I will have to check into those.

 

[rick carpenter]

You may need to replace the bottom 4 feet if it's getting wet from both sides, if so you've got work to do because putting something over it won't protect. Greenboard has a water resistant surface, not waterproof. So... better than drywall, but not by much. Cementboard, hardibacker, etc is waterproof. Also, you may want to consider preventing water/too much dampness from getting to it. That may be cheap but most likely is not.

 

[Engineer61]

Redguards normal use is to provide the vapor barrier for a shower. Instead of putting a plastic sheet behind the cement board, you roll redguard over the surface after taping the seams and it provides an impermeable surface, but one that does allow you to lay tile to it. It isn't intended to be the final surface, so just painting it on your drywall probably isn't the answer, but it will make an absolutely water tight seal on the surface of the drywall.
Don't forget that you will need to caulk the bottom edge of your drywall to prevent water from getting behind it and being absorbed by the insulation and backside of the drywall, whatever you do to make the front surface of the drywall waterproof. And you should use normal latex paint over the drywall on the upper parts of the wall just so any splashes or spray isn't immediately absorbed by the drywall paper allowing it to get behind your waterproof lower surface and cause mold.

 

[joe_padavano]

I need suggestions; what can I put over drywall to make it waterproof?
The lower portions of the walls in my garage can get wet at times and I'm looking for something to cover the bottom 4 feet of sheetrock.

Perhaps sheets of some material or some type of paint; no tiles...
Suggestions?
Opinions?

Define "wet". Is this just occasional water spray or real liquid? For spray, I'd just replace the sheet rock with green board. More liquid than that and look for an alternate material like plastic wall sheeting used in barns. Check FarmTek.com

 

[tylernt]

I like the FRP and galvanized suggestions. Other options include brush/spray-on truck bed liner, automotive undercoating, and POR15.

Note, concrete is porous and will pass water/moisture to anything touching it. Your existing drywall should be spaced 1/4" or more off the concrete so it doesn't wick.

 

[deter]

pay close attention to the details too. What are you going to have at the bottom of the wall? you should figure some kind of drip edge that is slightly above the floor/ratwall, that will help direct the water away from where the wall meets the floor.

I think I personally would do FRP; or maybe some of the .59/sf ceramic tile.

 

[csp]

Cementboard, hardibacker, etc is waterproof.

Actually it isn't. It's very water resistant, but not waterproof. If it does get wet, there's no harm unless the water makes it all the way through and to the studs it's attached to.

 

[Old Moparz]

I get supply catalogs at work & spotted these wall panels......

http://www.teksupply.com/contractor...&langId=-1&division=TekSupply&productId=58779

I was thinking about using them in my basement over the concrete block walls with metal studs & foam board insulation behind it since I have dampness issues & don't want to use drywall.

 

[77thor]

I'm defining "wet" as an occasional spray of water (or snow flying in the garage).
So far the sheetrock has not been damaged. I'm just looking to do something to prevent that.

I swung by Home Depot today and they carry the FRP panels.
They also carry something new called Polywall Sheets; made with 100% Recycled PVC.
Those are very thin, white, and have a smooth finish.
HD sells them for $19.95 for one 4' X 8' sheet.
I'm leaning towards those.

 

[Architorture]

Plastidip the walls

 

[Trey T]

When you say it can get wet at times; by that do you mean when you work in the garage and the wall gets wet?

Solution: I would start by painting it glossy like what you use in bathroom and silicon caulk the botton, lowest point. That will work and keep you from over-thinking it.

 

[ddawg16]

If you paint the walls with a couple coats of semi or high gloss exterior paint....you will be fine. I would think it would only be an issue if subjected to water on a daily basis...

 

[GQ//22]

If you paint the walls with a couple coats of semi or high gloss exterior paint....you will be fine. I would think it would only be an issue if subjected to water on a daily basis...

This. If you're really worried, just roll on gloss paint, and that will keep it sealed. You can also do what I'm planning to do and run a strip of that rubber base-board around the bottom and seal it with silicone, to keep water from getting underneath and up into the walls (I have absolutely no reason for this other than I want to).

From what you're describing, paint should work fine and not break the bank. Now, if you plan on putting a yard sprinkler in your garage, that's a different story.....