Waterproofing in Building Construction: Types, Advantages, and Application

Waterproofing is a procedure implemented to stop water from entering a building structure. Waterproofing is typically done in layers and stages to establish several barriers that prevent water from entering the structure. Membranes and coatings are used to waterproof a structure, and it also safeguards the structural integrity and the contents underneath and within.

Waterproofing is necessary for basements, walls, bathrooms, kitchens, terraces, balconies, decks, green roofs, water tanks, swimming pools, etc.

In a nutshell, waterproofing prevents water from penetrating interior and external building components like toilets, swimming pools, water tanks, walls, and ceilings. Waterproofing acts as a barrier that stops water from penetrating through the material, preventing flooding and dampness in structures.

Waterproofing reduces the humidity in the house's interiors, preventing damage to our indoors from being exposed to dampness or water.

Importance of Waterproofing

Waterproofing the house is very important as it helps to protect the integrity of the building structure. Some of the significant importance of waterproofing are as follows:

1. Waterproofing helps to protect the walls of your house from creating a seepage. It will also help prevent water damage and promote a healthy, strong start for your newly constructed building.
2. The walls and ceilings of the house become damp when moisture enters and thus leads to the spread of mould and mildew. This produces spores, which once more result in several health issues. It's always advisable to get your home waterproofed to protect you and your family from such unforeseen health issues.
3. The cost of waterproofing often appears to be a blow to your budget, and you find it daunting to waterproof your house. However, it is ideal to consider it a long-term investment that generates money during the building's lifetime.
4. It has been found that waterproofing helps to seal a new construction site early, which promotes long-term comfort. The steps are conducted to assist in lowering the amount of moisture inside the building.

Types of Waterproofing

Waterproofing is the process of preventing the entry of water and vapor. It helps in filling the structural crack. Therefore, choosing the finest waterproofing technique takes a lot of work. Some of the waterproofing types are listed below:

Cementitious Waterproofing: Cementitious products are usually the most accessible waterproofing materials that can be used. They are readily available with masonry product vendors and are simple to mix and apply. Cementitious waterproofing materials are usually rigid or semi-flexible and are hence used in interior spaces like bathrooms and other places that are shielded from the sun and weathering. This kind of waterproofing can be used in a variety of concrete applications.

Polyurethane Waterproofing: The base and reactor are the two elements that make up polyurethane. When combined in a specific design ratio, both result in a liquid coating for waterproofing applications. Polyurethane is a fairly common choice due to its ease of installation. This polyurethane application requires considerably less skill and supervision than other waterproofing technologies like sheet membranes and liquid-applied membranes. This waterproofing material can be applied quickly and is also useful for post-construction applications. As polyurethane is very sensitive to moisture content, it must be used in evaluating moisture before application, so that membrane peeling or de-bonding does not occur.

Bituminous Membrane Waterproofing: Bituminous coating is a flexible protective coating that is used for waterproofing. It works very well as a waterproofing and protective coating, especially on surfaces such as concrete foundations. The mixed substance is typically composed of sticky organic liquids. Additionally, they are vicious and long-lastingly waterproof. This makes the material extremely useful for this particular purpose. Bituminous membrane waterproofing is frequently used in the construction of roofs.

Liquid Rubber Waterproofing: A liquid membrane is a thin covering applied with a spray, roller, or trowel with a primer and topcoat and provides more flexibility than cementitious waterproofing. The surface elongation qualities of the liquid depend on the manufacturer's type, and the liquid is usually cured in a rubber coating on the wall.

PVC Waterproofing: This is a common roofing material that is made of polyvinyl chloride. The main application for it is to waterproof roofs. This type of waterproofing material will have a base that is reinforced. Typically, the base is constructed of polyester mesh or glass fiber. Most of its applications are for roofing, but it's also frequently used for underground buildings, swimming pools, and tunnels.

Advantages of Waterproofing

The advantages of waterproofing are as follows:

1. Waterproofing helps to reduce water absorption and prevents the concrete floor from developing cracks.
2. Waterproofing helps increase the lifespan of solid construction and prevents reinforcement corrosion.
3. It also guards against moisture coming inside the building structure and prevents seepages from the walls and ceiling.
4. The application of waterproofing is easy and reduces the maintenance cost of a building
5. A good waterproofing system provides a healthy environment and a clear living workspace.
6. Waterproofing safeguards both the building and the people living inside them.

Disadvantages of Waterproofing

The disadvantages of waterproofing are as follows:

1. In the summer heat, bitumen-based products deteriorate because the black color has a short shelf life due to solvent evaporation.
2. The protective covering made of polyurethane shouldn't be highly adaptable.
3. The protective layer made of polyurethane prevents concrete from naturally breathing.
4. The pot life of polyurethane protective coating is constrained, and water can accumulate beneath impermeable floor coatings.
5. The inability to manage the fractures leads to further leakage in cementation waterproofing.

Waterproofing for Roof

The roof of your house is always subjected to the worst weather conditions. Heavy rains and frequent temperature swings deteriorate materials and may result in irreversible damage. Nobody wants their ceiling to be leaky with water trickling inside. While building your new house, you must waterproof your terrace. In the long run, you can save a lot of time and money if you waterproof the roof while your house is being constructed. Water may enter your home if incorrect terrace waterproofing is done and it might lead causing damp patches on the ceiling and walls. In extreme circumstances, it might even seep down and cause leakages. Therefore, it is essential to do roof waterproofing to safeguard your terrace from water leaks and seepage.

Steps to Waterproof a Roof

1. The first step involved in waterproofing a roof is cleaning the substrate. Superior adherence is necessary for all effective liquid-applied membrane applications. Because of this, thorough cleaning is just as essential as applying the liquid solution correctly.
2. The surface is primed after cleaning to increase the membrane's adherence. Additionally, primers help prevent bituminous oils from the old roof from leaking through the liquid membrane. Contractors must ensure the surface is dry before applying most primers.
3. The treatment of details is the third step. Contractors must carefully attend to every detail; only when this is done can they resume applying the liquid membrane in the field.
4. The liquid membrane is then applied to the roof in the following procedure. Liquid-applied membranes come in two varieties; some need reinforcement mats impregnated during installation, while others do not. Regardless of whether the fabric mat is required, most manufacturers demand that the coating be applied in two or more subsequent layers.
5. The manufacturer should inspect most of the projects during all phases of the application. This may include checking the primer's coverage, performing pull-out mock-up tests, visually inspecting the detailed treatments, and yet checking the millage of the coating that has been applied.

Waterproofing Paint

Waterproof paints often include an organic base made of oil, latex, or concrete and claim to bond with materials like concrete or wood to create a solid, water-resistant, or waterproof seal. Many house owners additionally apply waterproof paint in the bathroom and basement because regular paint doesn't hold up well to the humid conditions in those areas. This safeguards against leaks, excessive moisture, and even mildew or mould. Waterproof paint is an affordable solution because it is easy to apply without the help of skilled professionals. Waterproof paint does not stop the water from coming from its source; it merely forms a barrier to keep the moisture.

Types of Waterproof Paints

There are numerous waterproof paints, each with a different level of durability and type of application. Here are some of the most typical kinds of waterproof paints used:

Masonry Paint: Ceramic components are used in the production of a latex-based masonry waterproofing paint to offer it water- and mildew-resistance properties. It can be readily cleaned with soap and water and is made to adhere to brick and concrete.

Epoxy Paint: Epoxy, a plastic resin, helps this paint harden fast into a durable, waterproof seal. Although it can be used on stone, metal, concrete, and cement surfaces, as well as the basement or garage flooring, it is most frequently used for boats and (at home) water tanks.

Acrolein Elasticized Paint: Highly toxic acrolein, when combined with acrylic paint, becomes a waterproof compound that prevents mould, mildew, and moisture-loving bacteria from growing on concrete. One should be cautioned when using this paint and adhere to any safety precautions listed on the product's label.

Why waterproofing the bathroom is required?

Why waterproofing is necessary for bathrooms is a common question most people ask when constructing a home. A bathroom is merely a place in the house where one goes to freshen up and rejuvenate. However, we must remember that bathrooms are damp rooms in your home regularly exposed to a lot of moisture. Today, bathrooms are more than personal space in our house. We often try to decorate this place just like the entire house. Not only do damp walls create water seepage in the bathroom area, but also sanitary fixtures and pipes, which can seriously harm your home's appearance. This is where bathroom waterproofing is required.

The bathroom area is exposed to water daily. When a bathroom is being built, it should be waterproofed to prevent internal damage, resident inconvenience, and expensive future repairs. Over time, ceramic shower tiles could become cracked or damaged. So, one must pay proper attention to waterproofing the bathroom space while constructing the home.

Terrace Waterproofing

Terrace waterproofing is an essential exterior home maintenance step that stops leaks and prevents rainwater from entering your house. One method of protecting your roof is waterproofing. Generally, the experts will cover the roof with a protective waterproofing membrane to

1. Prevent water leakage from the terrace to your house
2. Prevent the structure of your roof from deteriorating due to heat and water damage.
3. To preserve your home's aesthetic appeal and reduce your future investment.
4. To increase the roof's durability
5. Prevent the growth of mould and tiny cracks from developing on the surface.

Method of Waterproofing the Terrace

1. The below steps are followed for waterproofing the terrace:
2. First, we have to clean and remove the dust from the roof terrace surface.
3. Fill all the visible cracks by using a specially prepared silicone crack filler.
4. Use diluted silicone to apply the first coat, which helps to fill the invisible cracks and tiny holes.
5. Apply a second and third coat of silicone-based cement waterproofing to make the surface strong and durable.
6. Then, apply the fourth and final coat of silicon-based cement waterproofing.
7. In the end, the final layer is the finish. This could be made of stone, tile, or any other durable material for resisting extreme outdoor conditions. The finish and filler layers don't help in the waterproofing process.

Conclusion:

Waterproofing your home is crucial whether you're building a new one or remodeling an old one because it will not only upkeep its aesthetics but also increase its resale value.

Most homeowners frequently deal with problems like water seepage and dampness. The main causes of these issues are construction quality and inadequate waterproofing measures. While the immediate effects, such as puffiness of the walls, dampness, and paint peeling, may seem insignificant, if these are not addressed appropriately, they can seriously harm the house.

So, you must select the right construction company to efficiently do the waterproofing procedure at your house with the best materials. The waterproofing products used by India's number one construction company Brick&Bolt are rated amongst the best in the waterproofing process and the entire construction process. Our waterproofing materials are made to last a long time in harsh climatic conditions. Our materials are the best when it comes to preventing or plugging the existing cracks effectively to prevent water seepage. We have an expert team of professionals with years of experience in this industry who take care of the entire waterproofing process.

If you want to experience high-quality construction service at an affordable price, then all you've to do is connect with Brick&Bolt today. To know more about our service or to get a complimentary price quote, call us at +91 7505 205 205