How Are Buildings Waterproofed ?
A waterproofed object or structure is one that is impervious to water or can resist water. It is generally used for subjects that will be exposed to wet environments or will be submerged underwater to a specified depth. Basements, decks, or other wet areas are generally waterproofed in the construction industry. To protect the content of a building and its structural integrity, membranes and coatings are used to waterproof it. Today, waterproofing has become an integral part of the construction industry. Creating a controlled environment is the process of waterproofing an entire building. Waterproofing is necessary for roofs, sidings, foundations, and any other surfaces that are directly in contact with water and need to be waterproofed.
When waterproofing a building or structure, the following materials are commonly used:
- Cementitious materials
- Bituminous material
- Liquid waterproofing membrane
- Polyurethanes liquid materials
Buildings are waterproofed using a variety of methods
Among the various waterproofing procedures used in buildings, these are the most frequently used:
- Cementitious Waterproofing procedure
- Liquid Waterproofing Membrane procedure
- Bituminous Membrane procedure
- Bituminous Coating procedure
- Polyurethanes Liquid Membrane procedure
We will provide you with a detailed explanation of all the steps involved in all these processes.
Cementitious Waterproofing procedure
Among all the waterproofing techniques, cementitious waterproofing is regarded as the most straightforward. Various purveyors of craftsmanship products offer all the materials and materials required for starting this process. It is a piece of cake to mix and apply these materials. A building's wet areas, like bathrooms and kitchens, are usually waterproofed with this particular technique. As an inflexible or semi-flexible type of waterproofing, this procedure is used in the interior part of buildings or structures, so it is not exposed to the sun or weather-beaten. Because of this, no contraction or expansion occurs during this procedure. The following other areas are also suitable for this procedure:
- Water Treatment Plants
- Sewage Treatment Plants
- Bridges
- Dams
- Railways and Subways Systems.
- Marine Cargo Ports and Docks
- Parking lots and structures
- Tunnels
Liquid Waterproofing Membrane procedure
The Liquid Waterproofing Membrane procedure involves applying a thin coating consisting of a primer coat, followed by two topcoats, either by spraying or rolling or troweling. In comparison to cementitious waterproofing, the liquid waterproofing membrane procedure is relatively flexible. During this procedure, a rubbery coating forms on the walls due to the smoke generated by the liquid. In this process, each coat can extend the life by up to 280%. Liquid waterproofing materials are made from a variety of polymers, and the type of polymer used by the manufacturer determines the durability factor. Liquid waterproofing membranes consist of polymer-modified asphalt and can be applied as spray-on liquid membranes. Furthermore, manufacturers can easily find polyurethanes liquid membranes in different grades, such as trowels, rollers and sprays, in addition to liquid waterproofing membranes.
Bituminous Coating Waterproofing procedure
In the Bituminous Coating Waterproofing procedure, the coating is applied to provide waterproofing, suppleness, and shielding. Fibre reinforcement and polymer grade can influence the flexibility and shielding properties of this procedure against water.
Besides Bituminous coating, asphalt coating is the more common name. In general, bituminous coatings are applied to areas that are wet under screeds. Specifically designed for surfaces with concrete foundations, this is an excellent waterproofing agent. An undercoat made of bitumen-based materials is not suitable for sun exposure under a bituminous coating. The material can become extremely crumbly and fragile after prolonged exposure to sunlight unless it's modified with more supple materials such as polyurethanes or acrylic-based polymers. The solid content of the polymer added to the bitumen determines the overall flexibility of the finished products.
Bituminous Membrane Waterproofing procedure
The Bituminous membrane waterproofing procedure is another popular low-sloped roof waterproofing method with proven performance. Membranes with flambeaux and self-adhesive properties are used in bituminous membrane waterproofing. Asphalt, polymers, and fillers make up the self-adhesive membrane. In order to improve the overall adhesive property of this composition, additional resins and oils might be added. Due to its low bonding feature over time, the self-adhesive type has a short shelf-life. The Flambeau membrane, however, comes in both covered and exposed varieties. Many times, this membrane has mineral granular aggregates to prevent damage and rupture from crumbling, whereas other types of membrane require a shielding screed to prevent puncturing.
Polyurethane Liquid Membrane Waterproofing
Lastly, we have this procedure of waterproofing flat surfaces like roofs and other areas that are susceptible to weathering. In terms of waterproofing, polyurethane liquid membranes are expensive. In addition to being more flexible, it is extremely sensitive to humidity levels in the air. To avoid peeling or debonding of membranes after some time, the applicant must carefully evaluate the moisture content of the surface.
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