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Waterproofing outer walls?

B

Blueberry

New member
Hello! Does anyone have a recommendation for waterproofing the outside of a yurt? Ours is wicking water through the fabric. We are thinking of using tincloth method (melted beeswax and boiled linseed oil) Any information would help! Thank you!!
 
Thanks Bob. We ended up not doing the tincloth method because we still wanted to fabric to breath. So we got this product from our local marina called starbright water proofing. It seemed to work as the water was beading up but we think we are going to have to do another coat come spring. Unfortunately it smells really bad when wet (we wore goggles and a respirator when applying) but once it dryed you couldn't smell it at all. We did think about painting but the temperature was dropping and we kinda missed that window of opportunity. You can get the product online too, amazon has it. I guess time will tell on how it holds up!
 
So I too have started to get water wicking from the outside to the inside--doesn't look so great. My layers (outside-to-in) go: snow, ropes, natural canvas, wool fabric insulation, liner, lattice. I mainly get the wicking at the upper belly rope & at the end of the roof poles (ie, places where the fabric layers are compressed together). You can see it in the upper right of this photo:
1534-albums92-picture1239.jpg


Interior humidity is pretty low due to high air infiltration (I estimate 5-10 air changes each hour). CaCl dessicant set out doesn't capture much if any moisture.

I kind of regret not having tyvek under the canvas now. Also, having an outermost layer of lumber wraps or such would likely also help (getting the snow to slide/run off instead of melt into the fabric). Given my canvas isn't that old (1-2 years), I'm surprised it's leaking--but then even high-tech 'waterproof' camping tents wick water through their layers...

Blueberry, what kind of yurt do you have? What layers? Has the starbright waterproofing completely eliminated the problem for you?
 
Do you think Tyvek would have stopped the wicking though? I might help, but the bottom of the wall is still going to get wet if it is exposed to melting snow I would think. That would lead to it wicking up again?
 
The liner & insulation is on the inside of the platform lip (~3" above the platform), while the tyvek would be on the outside of the lip with the canvas. So water could wick up the canvas some but unless the tyvek is *very* disfunctional, water shouldn't wick up/through it. This of course would still leave the canvas susceptible to water logging & rot...
 
We have a Blue Ridge 20 foot yurt that we bought used. Our layers go (from outside to in) snow, 50/50 cotton polyester blend canvas with acrylic finish, liner, lattic, and denim insulation. The starbright product has not completely eliminated our problem but we do see a difference. We feel like once the weather breaks we will be reapplying and will probably spray on a heavier coat this time. I took some pictures on my phone but I couldn't figure out how to upload them. ( don't know how to find the URL? ) When I put my hand behind the insulation I feel moisture on it. One would assume that it would evenitually mold which is a worry but this is all new to us so not really sure what to do. Once warm weather comes I am sure we will do further inspections. We do not have a gutter system so in the next day or so we are going to try and cut some pool noodles in half length wise and put them under the roof hang in hopes that it will help the water drop off instead of running down the sides of the yurt. By the look of your picture it doesn't look like that would be an option for you. But once we get the noodles in I will post on how it did or didn't work! : )
 
Blueberry, thanks for the details. It sounds like you have a good plan. Hope you guys are staying warm and there's not too much snow on your yurt.

The wicking got bad for us this last week--there was a line about 1/3 around the yurt wall at the upper belly rope, plus two spots on the roof right near the bed/wall that started to drip water amongst other areas. I knocked off most of the water on the yurt (hanging icicles, ice on the edge of the roof, and all the reachable snow). Then I got my masonry heater a little over-fired and ran the propane on medium as well--got up to 75, maybe 80 F for a good half day. That dried things out, at least until the next snow...
 
Thanks for the info guys. Good luck to all of you. My yurt cover is undoubtably sopping wet as I type this due to the blizzaerd we are having.Fortunately I am not living in it.
 
Hello everyone

This is my very post so please take this as my 'introduce yourself' greeting too.

We're a 4 person family living in a 6.7m yurt in Southern Catalunya, eastern Spain. We've been living in the yurt for 2 years and the outer canvas has given up the ghost when it comes to being at all waterproof.

The guy who sold it to us recommended that we use clear acrylic paint diluted 1:2 with water. It kind of worked, but not too well.

We've been advised that brick sealant like this:

https://www.waterproofingdirect.com.au/sikagard-703w-5l.ir

works really well.

It is the same active ingredient as tent waterproof products like Fabsil (Siloxane), is water based and breathable. It's transparent too.

Does anyone have any experience of using a product like this?

Thanks in advance!
 
I've been on this site for at least five years and con't remember anyone reporting having used that or any other waterproofing product on canvas. I've had a canvas cover on my yurt for 5.5 years now. After two years it quit beading water as yours is starting to do. Now at 5.5 years there's no water repellency at all. Unfortunately my cover is shot for livability. It's a good thing you are trying to get that squared away at this time because based on my experience cover life with canvas is abut three years of good service.

I'll check back on here to see if someone has some advice. My only advice is to buy a massive plastic tarp and use that under your cover. Wish I had better advice. Good luck.
 
Bob Rowlands said:
I've been on this site for at least five years and con't remember anyone reporting having used that or any other waterproofing product on canvas. I've had a canvas cover on my yurt for 5.5 years now. After two years it quit beading water as yours is starting to do. Now at 5.5 years there's no water repellency at all. Unfortunately my cover is shot for livability. It's a good thing you are trying to get that squared away at this time because based on my experience cover life with canvas is abut three years of good service.

I'll check back on here to see if someone has some advice. My only advice is to buy a massive plastic tarp and use that under your cover. Wish I had better advice. Good luck.
Click to expand...

Thanks Bob. I really appreciate your reply.

I discovered that brick sealant has siloxane as its principle ingredient, the same as Fabsil and similar products. And this:

Clear Sealer (Siloxane Sealer) | Chemisol

states that it works on canvas. It's flexible, breathable, clear and UV/heat resistant... so I can't see why it wouldn't work.

Maybe I'll be the guinea pig for you all...
 
I don't know what kind of expense is involved with those sealants, but I wouldn't buy more than a single gallon for starters. Maybe try it on an untreated yard of new canvas and see the effect? Just a guess.

If I were living in my yurt with my family, and assuming I could afford it, for certain I would have a 15 year cover on it. I love canvas and all, but ime it just won't hold up for five years let alone fifteen. Really, for practical purposes my cover was done at four years. That's why I'd like to know of a long term solution that those reading about cover life can learn from. Thanks for your post.
 
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