In this post, we’ve covered the best ways to waterproof your business building, whether you’re looking to improve your existing method or are going to do it for the first time. Be confident that after reading this article you will have a much better understanding of waterproofing and what it entails.
The Importance of Waterproofing
One of the building techniques needed to ensure a building’s lifespan is waterproofing. The risk of water seepage to the structural integrity of your business structure is severe. Beyond protecting your commercial building’s structural integrity, waterproofing has many advantages.
- For safety purpose – Mixing water with electricity is never a smart idea. There is a serious risk of electrocution and fire if wiring is exposed to leaks because of inadequate waterproofing. Mold and mildew formation due to water ingress can lead to allergic reactions and respiratory issues in building occupants.
- Greater energy efficiency – Buildings are easily penetrated by dampness and water if they are not waterproofed. Changes in temperature will result from this. Your electricity rates will rise as a result of the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems having to work harder and use more energy to compensate for the temperature change.
- Lengthens lifespan – Water seepage can cause substantial water damage, which can compromise the building components’ ability to last. Waterproofing greatly aids in preventing water from entering your commercial space, extending its useful life and enhancing comfort.
- Maintain your property value – Water ingress into your building can result in significant damage that is expensive to restore, as was already noted above. If the damage to the building is not discovered quickly enough to allow for effective repairs to be made, it might drastically reduce the value of your home. With a waterproofing system in place, the chance of water seepage will decrease.
- Reduces maintenance costs – When cleaning up after a significant downpour, waterproof structures make your job much easier. Basic maintenance is significantly simpler when there is effective waterproofing.
Common waterproofing errors
- Making the incorrect waterproofing material selection – Every waterproofing material that is available has a particular use case. Sooner or later, using the incorrect chemical will lead to failure. For instance, larger constructions’ expansion joints need to be waterproofed, therefore the material used must be elastic enough to expand with the structure. You need materials that are compatible with all the surrounding components in a composite joint where aluminium meets wood or concrete.
- Problem with external plastering – Ingress points for water may develop from sloppy exterior plastering of the building structure. For instance, occasionally the scaffolding holes in the walls are not filled properly or are not repaired after being filled.
- Incorrect leakage diagnosis – If a leak is found while waterproofing, it is crucial to make the proper diagnosis. Sometimes the leak’s source is not close to the visible signs of it. Water flows in any direction once it enters the bodily mass. Correct leak diagnosis is the first step in leak repair.
- Lack of preparation work – Waterproofing preparation is almost as crucial as the actual waterproofing process. Cleaning the surface to eliminate dust, filling all holes, fractures, and cavities, restoring the damaged areas, and moving embedded pipes are just a few of the tasks involved.
Best five waterproofing options
Let’s examine the waterproofing options on the market today now that we have a better knowledge of the significance and potential advantages of waterproofing for your commercial building.
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Cementitious waterproofing –
Cement is one of the most widely used materials for waterproofing constructions. The necessary supplies can be easily purchased from a company that makes masonry items. They are very simple to combine and use. It is a durable solution that works best when applied within a building since it does not expand or contract in response to environmental changes. Since cementitious waterproofing is not UV resistant, an extra UV resistant safety coating must be applied over it.
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Liquid membrane waterproofing –
Three layers of coating make up liquid waterproofing, which offers a secure layer of protection in addition to exceptionally flexible membranes. For outdoor installations, this approach is more advantageous than cementitious waterproofing.
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Bituminous coating waterproofing –
It is flexible and comparable to a liquid membrane, but because of a different formulation, it adheres to some materials more effectively. This technique is frequently applied to concrete foundations. The coating deteriorates and becomes brittle when exposed to sunlight for an extended period of time. Remember that you must use a modified version of this coating if you intend to put it on places that are frequently exposed to sunlight. either combined with flexible polymers based on acrylic acid or polyurethane.
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Bituminous membrane waterproofing
– This particular waterproofing membrane is self-adhesive and has historically been utilized on low-sloped rooftops. They are made of self-adhesive substances such fillers, asphalt, and polymers. The adhesive quality can be improved by an additional resin and oil mixture. The bituminous membrane is not UV-resistant, much like cementitious waterproofing, hence it is essential to wear a safety cover over it while it is applied. If not, cracks may appear a few years after application and necessitate expensive repairs.
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Polyurethane membrane waterproofing
– This technique is very well-liked for flat roofs and provides a great level of flexibility, making it particularly suited for a wide range of applications. It’s important to note that this flexibility does have a high cost. Polyurethane membranes are sensitive to moisture, hence the moisture content in concrete slabs must be professionally evaluated. The coating could peel off and cause debonding within a few months if it is not utilized properly and is applied with care.
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PVC membrane waterproofing
– It is a single-ply membrane roof system that is factory fabricated and installed in the field as a single layer. It comes on a roll and can be mechanically fastened, adhered and loose laid onto the roof substrate. PVC membranes provide wideranging of advantages for any residential, industrial, and commercial industrial buildings. Most importantly, it prolongs the lifespan of the building with low maintenance and repair cost.
An article is written for this waterproofing system . For more information, please refer to https://structuralrepairs.com.my/reasons-why-we-choose-pvc-waterproofing-membrane-to-waterproof-rc-flat-roof-rather-than-the-traditional-membrane-system/
- Polyurea coating waterproofing – This system has an extremely versatile compound that has been used successfully for waterproofing. There are presently many applications for this material. Due to this material’s quick drying, corrosion resistance, and abrasion resistance properties, its use as industrial waterproofing has become increasingly popular in the last ten years.
An article is written for this waterproofing system. For more information, please refer to https://structuralrepairs.com.my/polyurea-technology-for-your-world/
Key Takeaways
Commercial infrastructures must be protected against the significant temperature swings that are typical of the Malaysian environment, and waterproofing has shown to be a crucial step in this process.
Due to the distinct advantages that each of the aforementioned solutions for waterproofing your commercial buildings offers, they are all excellent choices. Select the waterproofing solutions that are most appropriate for your building, and then put them into action by hiring a waterproofing professional like us!
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require more information. Our team will be happy and glad to assist you.
Kindly visit to our website at https://structuralrepairs.com.my/ or contact us at Tel: +603-91731728/29 Whatsapp: +60 12-334 9113
