Waterproofing done once, in the right layers.
Foundation walls, balconies, planters and retaining walls in New Braunfels and the Hill Country. We write down every layer before we start and photograph each one before it is covered.
- 4.996 Google reviews
- 10 yearsWritten, transferable warranty
- Since 2008740+ membranes installed
- Comal & GuadalupeCounties, plus Hays and Bexar edges
Three systems, chosen for the job
There is no one coating for everything. This is how we choose, and what each costs installed, including prep and two coats or layers.
| Cementitious coating | Liquid rubber membrane | Sheet or torch-on membrane | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Block and poured walls, retaining walls, cisterns | Foundation walls below grade, planters, odd shapes | Balconies and decks under tile, flat roofs over rooms |
| How it goes on | Brushed or sprayed, two coats, bonds into the concrete | Sprayed or rolled to 60 mil, seamless | Rolled sheets, lapped 4 inches and heat-welded |
| Lasts | 15–25 years | 25+ years buried | 20–30 years under tile |
| Installed price | $5–$8 / sq ft | $7–$11 / sq ft | $9–$14 / sq ft |
| Warranty | 10 years | 10 years | 10 years |
Every job includes
- A written layer spec before we start
- Photos of each layer before it is covered
- Flood test on balconies and planters, 24 hours
- Warranty that transfers when you sell
What goes under the surface
Most leaks we fix come from a missing layer, not a bad product. Pick a job to see the layers we install, from the inside out.
On site this season
Three jobs, three different systems. Each one was photographed layer by layer for the owner's file.
How a membrane job runs
Most projects take one to two weeks from site visit to final photos. Here is where the time goes.
- 01
Site visit
Walt measures, checks slopes with a level, probes the soil and asks about the history of the leak. Free in our area.
1 hour - 02
Layer spec and price
A drawing of each layer, the products by name, the dig plan if there is one, and one fixed price. Sent within three business days.
3 days - 03
Prep
Tile up or soil out, cracks routed and patched, surfaces ground clean and dry. This is the part that decides if it lasts.
1–3 days - 04
Layers and testing
Membrane, flashing and drainage go in. Balconies and planters get a 24-hour flood test before anything covers them.
2–4 days - 05
Close up and file
Backfill, tile or pavers back, site cleaned. You get the photo file, product list and the warranty in your name.
1–2 days
Walt Kessler and a crew of three
Walt learned waterproofing on commercial jobs in San Antonio: parking decks, planters on hotel terraces, below-grade walls on hospitals. Those specs leave no room for shortcuts, and he brought the same habits to houses when he started Kessler in 2008.
We still run one crew. Walt is on every site visit and at every flood test. Ben Ochoa has led the crew since 2013; Rosa Kessler runs the office and the warranty files.
- Insurance
- $2M general liability, workers' comp
- Training
- Manufacturer-trained installer for the membranes we use
- Member
- Greater New Braunfels Home Builders Association
- Warranty
- 10 years, written, transfers to the next owner
From homeowners and builders
4.9 average from 96 Google reviews
Our balcony had been "fixed" twice by other companies. Walt pulled the tile and showed us there was no membrane at the wall at all. He did it properly, flood-tested it for a day, and it has been dry through two wet springs.
The layer drawing and photo file made our home inspection easy when we sold. The buyer's inspector asked who did the foundation wall and wrote it down.
I am a custom builder and I send all my planters and roof decks to Kessler. Never had a callback in six years. Not cheap, worth it.
Where we work
Based off Landa Street in New Braunfels. Site visits are free within 35 miles.
Regular stops
- New Braunfels Home base
- Gruene 5 min
- Canyon Lake 25 min
- Seguin 20 min
- San Marcos 20 min
- Schertz and Cibolo 20 min
- Garden Ridge 15 min
- Bulverde and Spring Branch 30 min
- Wimberley 35 min
Good questions to ask any waterproofer
Ask us these, and ask the other bids too.
Why is your price higher than the other quote?
Usually because we include the parts that do not show: removing tile to get to the real problem, flashing at the walls and doors, drainage board, the flood test and the photo file. Ask the other bid to list their layers in writing and compare line by line.
Do you have to dig to waterproof a foundation wall?
For a true exterior membrane, yes, down to the footing. On Hill Country lots we often hand-dig near trees and use a mini excavator elsewhere. Where digging is not possible we will tell you honestly what an interior coating can and cannot do.
Can you waterproof a balcony without removing the tile?
Clear sealers on top of tile slow leaks down for a year or two. They do not fix a missing or failed membrane. We will tell you which one you have after a site visit, and we only offer the coating route if it will hold.
What is a flood test?
We dam the balcony or planter and fill it with an inch or two of water for 24 hours before tile or soil goes back. If the level drops or anything shows below, we find it while it is still easy to fix.
When is the best time of year?
Spring and fall. Membranes need dry surfaces and mild temperatures; we avoid the hottest August afternoons for torch work and wait out wet weeks. Booking is usually 3–5 weeks out.
Do you work with builders and remodelers?
Yes, about a third of our work is for custom builders and remodelers. We provide the layer spec for their drawings and coordinate with the tile setter.
487 Landa St, New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 555-0124 · office@kesslerwaterproofing.com