All you need to know about water-proofing your house

Vartika Gupta Vartika Gupta
homify Vườn phong cách hiện đại
Loading admin actions …

We understand your plight, when you have made a huge investment in building the house of your dreams, and realize that you have missed something crucial like water proofing, just after the first rainfall. Moisture has the ability to destroy the appearance of the most magnificent interiors without taking much time if not carefully water proofed at all possible sources. There are many reasons for water seeping through your walls and ceilings. Water from rain can puddle up in the roof and seep through the construction on to the ceiling of your home. Water can start collecting in walls owing to water pipe leakage. If you are living in multi story apartments, water from the drainage pipes from the house above yours can also cause your walls and ceilings to be attacked by moisture if not water proofed appropriately. However, once you know the types of waterproofing and the various places where you should use which type, you will be well equipped to decide how to safeguard your home against the moisture attacks. In this ideabook we shall take you through the various types of waterproofing ways and options to empower you to make an informed decision about the waterproofing of your home. Discuss the water proofing plan with your interior architect beforehand and do ensure that the tilers, the roofers and the floorers have understood it too before doing their respective jobs.

The types of water proofing

There are two main types of water proofing. One is using Sheet Based Waterproofing Membranes below the layer of tiles/stone or cement on the floor and walls, and the other is a Liquid Applied Waterproofing which involves spraying of a hot chemical liquid that settles and solidifies when cooled. Both these types of waterproofing are effective and have their own advantages.

Advantages of Sheet Based Waterproofing Membranes:

Sheet based waterproofing membrane is received at the site of construction in the form of rolls, which are spread on to the area to be waterproofed. The sheet based water proofing membrane needs to be stuck to the surface and that is done by using a hot tar based adhesive, which is mostly present on the bottom side of the membrane. The membrane is either rolled over a layer of hot tar, which heats up the tar on the membrane and it sticks, or the membrane is stuck while heating it using a blow torch, thereby melting the tar layer under the membrane to help it stick on the surface.

Sheet based membranes are tear resistant, and have some elasticity which keeps the membrane safe even in case of swaying of high rise buildings.

Membranes come in a wide variety and you can choose the type that will suit your requirement depending on the place and usage.

Membranes are consistent in durability and thickness since they are manufactured in factories by experts and do not depend on the workforce at the site.


Advantages of Liquid Applied Water Proofing

As opposed to the sheet based waterproofing membranes, which require a wide area to spread open the rolls, and which need special care to seal the joints between two rolls, Liquid Applied Waterproofing is very flexible.

In Liquid Applied Waterproofing, even the smallest of areas can be easily covered by spraying over the liquid chemical. Care needs to be taken, however, regarding the thickness of the liquid spray to make it stronger and more resistant at the areas where there are more chances of water seepage.

One major advantage of Liquid Applied Water Proofing is that it can cover the floor to wall and ceiling to wall joints effectively.

Another advantage of Liquid Applied Water Proofing is the flexibility in terms of shape and size that it offers. The liquid can be sprayed on every shape without having to bother about the bending and twisting of any kind.

What type of Sheet Based Water Proofing Membrane should you choose

There are many types of water proofing membranes that have special properties which makes them preferable choice over others based on your requirements:

Sheet Based Water Proofing Membrane With UV Stability

For all balconies, roofs and areas exposed to the sun, if you have to get the water proofing done, choose a sheet based membrane that offers UV Stability. UV stability will ensure that the chemical composition of the membrane does not changed with constant exposure to the UV rays of the sun.

Elasticity

A UV membrane that offers elasticity is the one that is able to stretch to a certain extent. Elasticity is a good to have feature in high rise buildings, that are prone to some movement. There are membranes that offer upto 200 % elasticity ensuring that you will not have to face losses due to cracks in water proofing membrane.


Breathable Waterproofing Membranes

Breathable water proofing membranes come into picture when there is a fair chance of water seeping in through the membrane through cracks or joints. If water seeps through the membrane and is not able to come out, it will lead to losses owing to moisture. Breathable membranes do not allow water to pass through in droplets, however it does allow water vapor to escape through it, ensuring more dryness under the membrane.

Breathable membranes are an ideal choice for terrace gardens, which do have a fair chance of water seeping through them, but also escape as vapor owing to sun exposure. Here are 10 things about terrace gardens that you must know.

Water-proofing for your bathroom

Your bathrooms need to be water proofed on all the sides. Liquid Application Water Proofing is a good choice for bathrooms, since the area for waterproofing is usually small and has many joints. Tiling or any other floor work is done over the waterproofing layer, once it has thoroughly dried up. Failure to waterproof your bathrooms might lead to heavy loss in repair all over the house, due to leakage. Here are 20 modern and sensational small bathrooms, we think you would like.

Other Kinds Of Water Proofing Membranes

Food Safe Water Proofing Membranes: These are a good choice when you have to waterproof your concrete cement water tanks. These membranes are chemically stable and do not react with water to ensure extreme safety of food materials.

Abrasion Resistant Membranes: A number of times, damage to membranes happens during construction, when the workforce is working, due to falling of material and other factors. These cracks are irreparable, and can cause the membrane to be ineffective. Abrasion resistant membranes are stronger, more tensile and more elastic and offer better protection against wear and tear.



Why is Water Proofing Important

A strong foundation is the first and foremost requirement for a tall structure, and this holds especially true in case of building houses. You can always change the interiors, the colors the designs as per your wish, but it will not be just another day when you would need to get the waterproofing of your house done after you have started living in it. Here is a quick guide to choosing water pipes for your home.

It is a step that has to be taken when the house is getting constructed, and therefore should be taken before you start planning the interiors. Remember, A stitch in time, saves nine!

Cần giúp đỡ với dự án nhà của bạn?
Liên lạc!

Những nội dung đặc sắc từ tạp chí của chúng tôi