what is the purpose of waterproofing 3

What Is The Purpose Of Waterproofing?

Table of Contents
    Add a header to begin generating the table of contents

    There's no doubt that waterproofing is an effective method for preventing water damage to homes, but the question still remains: what exactly is waterproofing? What it is, essentially, is a coating which can be spread across walls and roofs. Some of the reasons why you should waterproof your house are discussed below.

    What Exactly Is Waterproofing?

    Waterproofing is a technique used to keep water out of a building. It's crucial to waterproof your home so that it doesn't become soaked. In addition to protecting your home from water and humidity damage, it helps minimise humidity within the house. That's why it's crucial for the structure's safety, too.

    FAQs About Internal Waterproofing

    Waterproofing is used for building structures (such as basements, decks, or wet areas), watercraft, canvas, clothing (raincoats or waders), electronic devices and paper packaging (such as cartons for liquids).

    It is very important to waterproof your home or building from all possible damage. However, no waterproofing can lead to cracks, paint peel off and even moulds, mildew and air contaminants. It is also a great risk for the structure and foundation of the building.

    Typically, extensive waterproofing measures are applied during construction to ensure that moisture is controlled initially. However, waterproofing can also be done after a building has been built to solve problems as they arise.

    Waterproofing is required at concrete structures to keep moisture out of the facility and protect the structural components of concrete and embedded reinforcing steel. If the integrity of the concrete is maintained, it can remain waterproof.

    The most common types of waterproofing are cementitious waterproofing, liquid waterproofing membrane, bituminous membrane, bituminous coating, and polyurethane liquid membrane.

     

    Why Is Waterproofing Important?

    Because of the little exposure that the general public has to concrete technology, waterproofing is among the most pressing issues that receives surprisingly little attention. Rather than being taken seriously, it is usually viewed as a minor nuisance. But putting it off will only make the problem worse and leave the wall dulled in flood, giving your home an unsightly appearance. But since it is winter now, you should have your house waterproofed.

    Waterproofing during the winter is advantageous because concrete contracts as the weather turns cold, allowing cracks to spread. To prevent crack sealing resins from stretching, cracks should be filled to their full extent. Consider these four factors to determine if you really need to waterproof your home.

    Interiors Are Protected From Water Damage.

    Your home's interior is frequently subjected to the vagaries of the weather, from direct sunlight to heavy downpours. This entails the exterior and interior surfaces, as well as the base and insulation. No matter how carefully you take during construction to ensure that your steel, concrete, etc. walls are sealed, they will eventually crack and rust.

    When you waterproof your home, you prevent water from leaking through the walls. It will also protect your seedling from water damage, giving it the best possible start in life.

    Possibility Of Property Damage

    The integrity of the building is greatly enhanced by proper waterproofing. It can never be restored to its pre-damaged condition. Long-term roof damage, especially from the accumulation of moist places during the rainy season, can be caused by cracks.

    The effects of a leaking roof are widespread, posing a threat to the building's electrical systems, wooden framing, and upholstered furnishings. They can also weaken structures, such as walls. Mold and mildew need a moist environment to thrive, and this can seriously compromise the building's structural and aesthetics.

    Prevents The Onset Of Health Issues

    what is the purpose of waterproofing

    Mould and mildew thrive in damp environments, such as those created when water penetrates your walls and ceilings. This generates spores, which in turn cause a wide range of health issues. As spores are released into the air, they can settle anywhere, but if they land on your lungs, they can cause serious illness. Waterproofing your house at the appropriate time can help keep the relationship safe from these kinds of hazards.

    Without adequate waterproofing, a building is at risk of becoming infested with harmful bacteria, fungi, and mould. Anyone living or working in a building may be at risk from allergic responses, asthma attacks, and other annoyances or illnesses caused by the proliferation of such germs. Water leaks that go on for a long time can generate pools of stagnant water that mosquitoes love to lay their eggs in, leading to potentially deadly diseases like dengue fever.

    You Save Money

    Investing in house waterproofing could Waterproofing your home can seem like a huge undertaking, and the associated costs can feel like a financial hit. Yet, prevention is always preferable to treatment. Consider it an investment that will generate income for as long as the building stands.

    Rather than being put off by the initial investment required to waterproof your property, you should focus on the long-term benefits.

    Encourages Long-Term Comfort

    Sealing a construction site early with waterproofing has been shown to increase long-term comfort. The humidity levels inside the building are lowered as a result of the steps implemented. It improves the quality of life and serves as a springboard for further development. Premature worry about this issue can be avoided with some forwards planning.

    Water Leakage Issues

    Singapore is unique among developed nations in that it lacks a climatic cycle that includes four distinct seasons. Heavy rain & drizzles that could damage your property, however, are something we have to deal with all year round. During the rainy season at the end of the year, water leaks into the homes of landed property owners.

    Puddles of water left behind by the leaks can be especially hazardous if there are elderly or young children in the house. A steady trickle might be a nuisance to anyone living below it.

    The Benefits Of Waterproofing:

    Various Options

    Waterproofing systems could be placed either inside or outside a building, depending on the severity of the water damage or the owner's inclination. In addition, if you are unwilling to spend the extra money that a contractor would cost, DIY (Do it yourself) choices are available.

    Property Worth

    The greatest gain is that your home's value will rise when the waterproofing is done. More than that, this system will stop any moisture from sneaking into your walls and fostering the growth of mould. Asphyxiation is a real risk when exposed to mould. Nevertheless, it also protects your home's structure against water seepage, which is a major cause of expensive repairs.

    Wood rots and metal rusts when exposed to moisture. Your home's market worth will suffer if it has unsanitary rooms or a faulty structure. Waterproofing systems also allow you to better utilise the space in your home by making the basement accessible. Your home's resale price will rise as a result of this, too.

    Waterproofing Types:

    Waterproofing Bricks

    Using china mosaic tiles, brick tile waterproofing helps cover cracks & water leakages, conceals unsightly marks, and creates aesthetically pleasing coverage.

    Many methods are outlined below for ensuring that brick bets remain dry:

    • For starters, it sweeps away trash and thoroughly cleans the area.
    • Second, coat the area with a mixture of water, chemical, and cement using a radio wave.
    • Tile the floor with china mosaics and secure them in place, third.

    Waterproofing Poly Acrylic Chemical Coating

    You won't find a better selection of high-quality options for keeping water out than this. Then, a polyacrylic chemicals solution is made, which is then used to repair any cracks or leaks in the wall or terrace, providing a solid waterproof foundation that will help to prolong the life of the building. This is completed by a group of professionals with extensive training. You should make sure that only high-quality materials are used during the process.

    Before applying a chemical coating of polyacrylic resin over the area, it must be cleaned thoroughly. Finally, white cement mixed with polyacrylic chemicals will be applied in two coats.

    Roof Repair Prior To The Monsoon

    Both older buildings with leaks and newer ones looking to minimise leaks in the future can benefit from roof repairs before the monsoon season. This procedure helps keep the building in good condition over time and prevents water damage from rain. Once a year is enough time to give this a try.

    What You Should Do Before Waterproofing Your Roof

    Single-ply roofing membranes that were installed on flat roofs two or three decades ago, such as torch-down modified bituminous membrane (mod bit) or ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM), are excellent prospects for recovery at present. Sadly, it can be quite costly to totally replace the roof system. Yet, in recent years, liquid sprayed roof systems have evolved as viable, worthwhile substitutes.

    The compatibility of the current roof surface with the liquid product being used is the first requirement that must be addressed in selecting the appropriate material. One of the most common causes of leaks in single-ply roofs is a lack of attention to the coating substance that was utilised previously. It is not a good idea, for instance, to coat an acrylic elastomeric surface with urethane.

    There is a significant possibility of re-emulsification between the acrylic and the solvent found in most urethane coatings. Silicone roofs are another common example. Any attempt to apply a coating to a silicone area will be unsuccessful because the surface prevents the coating from sticking.

    Prior to waterproofing, a flat roof's substrate must be thoroughly cleaned.

    Whether you're working with a brand-new roof deck or an already-installed roofing system, this step is crucial since liquid materials require a clean, bare substrate surface in order to attach properly. Any dirt, dust, grease, or other bond-breakers that make it between the deck and the fluid material will reduce or prevent the effectiveness of the bond.

    Hence, the performance of a cured membrane will suffer if the substrate is not well cleansed. When preparing a roof's surface for new roofing materials, washing is the standard way of cleaning. Detergent, typically a biodegradable product or a generally accepted generic alternative, is often specified for this purpose by manufacturers.

    Roof Waterproofing Procedures

    what is the purpose of waterproofing 2

    There are typically five key processes involved in installing a liquid-applied roof membrane, and each one must be given the utmost attention per the manufacturer's guidelines. Cleaning, priming, detail treatment, applying the main coating, and inspecting are the several stages involved.

    • Cleaning the substrate is the first step towards waterproofing a roof. In order to use a membrane with a liquid applied on it, the adherence must be very good. This is why it is just as crucial to clean up after using the liquid as it is to use it properly. The majority of the time, pressure washing is used to clean the substrate. By doing this, we can get rid of the things that are supposedly destroying the bonds. Details that need fixing that aren't immediately obvious will also become apparent.
    • After the area has been cleaned, a primer is used to boost membrane adherence. Primers also help prevent the liquid membrane's bituminous oil from leaking out onto the roof. The contractors must dry the surface thoroughly before applying most primers. In the construction industry, air blowers and torches are commonly used to speed up the drying process.
    • In the third phase, specifics are addressed. Careful attention to detail is required before contractors may continue applying the liquid membrane in the field. Reinforcing fabric inserted into the liquid a flashing quality sealant is often pre-treated at details like exterior as well as interior corners, walls to floor style corners, metallic flashing terminations, and penetrations like pipes, vent, drains, etc.

    Here are the roof's most vital yet easily missed details. That's why it's necessary to treat them uniquely. Also, before applying the primary coating, appropriate drying time must be allowed for the materials that received the detailed treatment.

    • The next thing to do is to spread the liquid membrane all over the roof. There are two distinct methods for installing liquid-applied membranes, with the former requiring the impregnation with reinforcing mat and the latter not necessitating it at all. Whether or not the fabric mat is required, most manufacturers insist that the coating be applied in two or more stages. The manufacturers' technical specs for each coating product provide information on the rate of consumption. The actual rate of consumption may differ from the one given due to factors such as the application method, the porosity of the substrate, the temperature, and the amount of waste.
    • Manufacturer inspection is typically necessary at multiple stages of application. Primers can be checked for coverage, pull-out mockup tests can be conducted, detail treatments can be inspected visually, and coating mileage can be checked as well. It's vital to apply the wet film at the correct thickness. If you use far to much liquid product at once, it will pool beneath the membrane's skin and not cure. Lack of sufficient millage will certainly cause the membrane to collapse before its time. Edges with fish-mouths indicate that the reinforcing mat wasn't properly covered during the overlap. During the examination, make a note of all such flaws and address them immediately.

    Flat Roof Waterproofing

    When it comes to waterproofing a flat roof, proper application is always the key to a successful project. It is not always the case that a flat roof that has been "coated" will be completely watertight. Many coatings' sole purpose is to shield the present roof membranes from the deteriorating effects of UV light exposure, hence extending its service life.

    Acrylic coatings, for instance, re-emulsify in water, leading to product failure wherever water pools on the roof. Such coatings should be considered by building owners and managers only for preventative maintenance. Water flows down the roof and does not pool near the gutters.

    Choosing the right designated liquid sprayed waterproofing membrane is crucial to the success of any waterproofing project.

    • Is there any moisture in the base?
    • Are both the substrate and the surrounding temperature suitable for the intended use?
    • Are we consuming what we need to?
    • Is each layer allowed sufficient time to cure before the next is applied?
    • To what extent does the application take into account the possibility of precipitation?

    The roofing company must adhere to all guidelines set forth by the manufacturer and oversee the precise method of application. The best technique to make sure that flat roof becomes waterproof is to apply it exactly as directed.

    Architects and specifiers, as well as distributors and contractors, can benefit from the Lunch & Learn seminars and Product Knowledge meetings that are provided by many manufacturers. This programming is meant to disseminate useful data about their goods and instruct the target audience on how to make the most of such data.

    How To Avoid Flat Roof Leaks

    For a lengthy leak-free roof, the contractor must get a substrate layer free of bond-breakers, address the details precisely, and apply the fluid waterproofing membrane correctly, regardless of the type the liquid-applied roof system used.

    When leaks do occur in roofs, it is usually in poorly attended to seams and flashing. Water infiltration and leaks most commonly occur at details, such as penetrations like vent pipes, sewers, skylights, and rooftop HVAC units, as well as parapet walls or termination edge flashings.

    Walls made of masonry, whether they be parapet walls or adjacent elements of a building above the roofline, are frequently neglected. Water can readily be absorbed by the masonry without the necessary capping so over parapet wall and appropriate repelling treatment of masonry, which can cause water/vapour transmission through the roof and into the building itself.

    It is just as crucial to properly maintain the roof membrane throughout its life cycle as it is to apply the membrane itself. Building proprietors and managers should hire roofing contractors to check on and repair the roof at regular intervals.

    At least 2 times a year, you should go up on your roof to make sure everything is working as it should, including the drains, the membrane, and the removal of any debris that may have accumulated. By keeping the roof clean, reflective qualities can be preserved for a longer period of time. For as long even as reflective white colour of a Cool Roof is not obscured by dirt and other debris, it will continue to maintain its cool temperature and its reflective properties.

    To Use Membrane Characteristics

    Acrylics are typically the most cost-effective option due to their low VOC content, ease of application and cleanup, and straightforward re-coating procedure. The majority of acrylic roof systems call for many coats of coating plus fabric reinforcement, which adds time to the process.

    The fundamental problem with acrylic polymers is that they re-emulsify in water, which makes them useless for use on roofs that collect standing water. The overwhelming bulk of already-built flat roofs are known to have issues with water drainage, therefore this is a serious issue.

    Conclusion

    Waterproofing is a technique used to keep water out of a building, protecting it from water damage, minimising humidity, and protecting it from property damage. Waterproofing your home can prevent health issues, save money, encourage long-term comfort, reduce humidity levels, and improve quality of life. Waterproofing systems can be placed inside or outside a building, providing property worth, protection from water seepage, and better use of space. The most important details are the compatibility of the current roof surface with the liquid product being used, cleaning, priming, detail treatment, and installing a liquid-applied roof membrane. Cleaning the substrate is essential for waterproofing a roof, and primers are used to boost adherence and prevent leaks.

    Liquid-applied membranes must be applied in two or more stages, and manufacturer inspection is necessary at multiple stages. Proper application is key to successful waterproofing projects. The best way to avoid flat roof leaks is to apply the fluid waterproofing membrane correctly and properly maintain the roof membrane throughout its life cycle. Acrylics are the most cost-effective option due to their low VOC content, ease of application and cleanup, and straightforward re-coating procedure.

    Content Summary

    1. There's no doubt that waterproofing is an effective method for preventing water damage to homes, but the question still remains: what exactly is waterproofing?
    2. Some of the reasons why you should waterproof your house are discussed below.
    3. It's crucial to waterproof your home so that it doesn't become soaked.
    4. But since it is winter now, you should have your house waterproofed.
    5. Consider these four factors to determine if you really need to waterproof your home.
    6. When you waterproof your home, you prevent water from leaking through the walls.
    7. Waterproofing your house at the appropriate time can help keep the relationship safe from these kinds of hazards.
    8. Without adequate waterproofing, a building is at risk of becoming infested with harmful bacteria, fungi, and mould.
    9. Property WorthThe greatest gain is that your home's value will rise when the waterproofing is done.
    10. Nevertheless, it also protects your home's structure against water seepage, which is a major cause of expensive repairs.
    11. Waterproofing systems also allow you to better utilise the space in your home by making the basement accessible.
    12. Both older buildings with leaks and newer ones looking to minimise leaks in the future can benefit from roof repairs before the monsoon season.
    13. One of the most common causes of leaks in single-ply roofs is a lack of attention to the coating substance that was utilised previously.
    14. Prior to waterproofing, a flat roof's substrate must be thoroughly cleaned.
    15. When preparing a roof's surface for new roofing materials, washing is the standard way of cleaning.
    16. Cleaning the substrate is the first step towards waterproofing a roof.
    17. The majority of the time, pressure washing is used to clean the substrate.
    18. The contractors must dry the surface thoroughly before applying most primers.
    19. Careful attention to detail is required before contractors may continue applying the liquid membrane in the field.
    20. Here are the roof's most vital yet easily missed details.
    21. The next thing to do is to spread the liquid membrane all over the roof.
    22. Whether or not the fabric mat is required, most manufacturers insist that the coating be applied in two or more stages.
    23. Choosing the right designated liquid sprayed waterproofing membrane is crucial to the success of any waterproofing project.
    24. The roofing company must adhere to all guidelines set forth by the manufacturer and oversee the precise method of application.
    25. The best technique to make sure that flat roof becomes waterproof is to apply it exactly as directed.
    26. For a lengthy leak-free roof, the contractor must get a substrate layer free of bond-breakers, address the details precisely, and apply the fluid waterproofing membrane correctly, regardless of the type the liquid-applied roof system used.
    27. It is just as crucial to properly maintain the roof membrane throughout its life cycle as it is to apply the membrane itself.
    28. Building proprietors and managers should hire roofing contractors to check on and repair the roof at regular intervals.
    29. By keeping the roof clean, reflective qualities can be preserved for a longer period of time.
    30. The majority of acrylic roof systems call for many coats of coating plus fabric reinforcement, which adds time to the process.
    31. The fundamental problem with acrylic polymers is that they re-emulsify in water, which makes them useless for use on roofs that collect standing water.
    32. The overwhelming bulk of already-built flat roofs are known to have issues with water drainage, therefore this is a serious issue. 
    Google Rating
    5.0
    Based on 29 reviews
    js_loader
    Scroll to Top