Waterproofing in buildings is the process of making a structure impervious to water. It is one of the most critical part of building construction.
Where Do Leakages Generally Occur?
Basement of structure
Walls
Bathrooms and kitchen
Balconies, decks
Terrace or roofs
Green roofs
Water tanks
Swimming pools
There are many causes and locations of leakages in a building. Broken pipes, hoses, improper construction and waterproofing, structural cracks and several such issues are major causes of leakages. It is necessary to have a leak-proof and damp-proof building to avoid losses and harm to our health.
How Do Leakages Harm Us?
Leakages can cause dampness and this in turn encourages the growth of molds, microbes, and many other organisms which could be harmful to us. Asthma and allergy are some common respiratory disorders that are causes by these problems. Apart from health issues, leakages can cause issues like flaking and blistering of paints, cracking of structures, etc. This can harm its users and also lead to depreciation of the property value.
Mold growth on walls due to dampness
Leakages may cause dampness which in turn may cause flaking and blistering of paint
How Can We Make A Building Water-Resistant?
Some of the commonly used methods for waterproofing are:
Cementitious waterproofing
Liquid membrane method
Bituminous membranes and coating methods
Polyurethane liquid membrane method
1. Cementitious Method
Image: Cementitious waterproofing in toilet
It is the simplest form of waterproofing. The products required for this are easily available in the market. Cementitious method is used for internal wet areas such as toilets which are not exposed to sunlight and weathering. In this method, a mixture of dry cement, sand, and liquid latex are applied over the surfaces using brush or roller
2. Liquid Membrane Method
Image: Primer coating process
The membrane used consists of a primer coat and two top coats applied using spray, roller or trowel. The liquid cures into a rubbery coating on the surface. It it generally composed of polymer-modified asphalt. Various grades of this are available by different manufacturers depending on whether the membrane is going to be trowelled, rolled or sprayed.
3. Bituminous Membranes And Coating Methods
Image: Bituminous emulsion being applied
Bitumen a.k.a. Asphalt and bituminous substances have been popular waterproofing solutions. Bitumen is a thick organic liquid which can be applied on required surfaces to make them waterproof. This method is excellent with concrete structures but should not be exposed to sunlight. Sun-exposure makes it brittle and fragile.
