This invention relates to an improved process for providing water repellency and stain resistance to a masonry surface wherein an aqueous based water repellant polymeric coating is applied thereto and the water removed leaving a water repellent polymeric film adhered to the masonry surface. The improvement in the process resides in the use of an aqueous emulsion of a semi-crystalline ethylene-vinyl acetate polymer formed by emulsion polymerization wherein the polymer has: (a) a crystalline melting point ranging from 35 to 110.degree. C. measured at a heat rate of 20.degree. C. per minute; and, (b) a tensile storage modulus of at least 1.times.10.sup.5 dynes/cm.sup.2 at a temperature of 115.degree. C. and measured at 6.28 rad/sec.