 yourself an area rug when, should it get wet, you're able to clean it, toss it, whatever. Absolutely. In terms of that sidewalk outside, that's probably an asphalt sealant that was used between the sidewalk and the house. Just generally speaking, on the outside of your house, make sure the water is draining away from the foundation. If that sidewalk slab happens to pitch into the house, that's a bad thing. No matter what you seal it with, you're not going to stop water from getting into that wall.