Hi,

As a followup to a previous question I asked about our concrete block
house leaking after Frances, I have a slightly different question now so
I can hopefully learn more about block house construction:

Let's say a house has no "holes" or "gaps" in the roof or walls for
water to easily intrude. When a builder builds a concrete block house,
what actually stops water from "seeping" through the walls themselves
into the hollow concrete block? I know concrete is somewhat porous and
will absorb some water, but what is normally used in block houses to
prevent that? I've heard that stucco itself is totally aesthetic and
serves no "waterproofiing" or "waterblocking" purpose.

So...

Is the block itself supposed to resist letting water get inside itself?

Does the block normally get a "sealer" applied to the outside by the
builder during construction to keep out water later?

Is the paint on the exterior supposed to be the "water block" to protect
rain from seeping into the block?

Thanks in advance!

-- Vinnie