Waterproofing plays an important role in protecting every part of a structure. Knowing which waterproofing coverage to specify for a particular portion of a structure is more than just a science, it is an art form. Water moves through a structure via any number of ways, including hydrostatic pressure, capillary action, wind/air currents, surface tension, and natural gravity. If there is any breach in a structure's envelope, water is sure to find its way in.
"Waterproofing has come a long way since 1915 when cutting edge technology Ironite was first introduced," said Carter Pogue, Western Specialty Contractors, Sales/Project Manager. “Painted onto the inside of basement walls, Ironite became a popular option because it could be applied quickly and it was less expensive than traditional waterproofing methods at the time.”
As the decades progressed, so did the materials and techniques used to waterproof a building from the roof to its below-grade exterior and interior walls and everything in between.
Concrete, Terrace Areas, and Decks
In the winter, freeze/thaw cycles can cause big problems with concrete structures. When water infiltrates concrete, it can freeze, causing the water to occupy 9% more volume than in its liquid state. This expansion causes distress to the concrete that can lead to fractures that will continue to grow.
Concrete repairs are often made before they become a more serious or costly issue, but there are measures that you can take to prevent future damage. Applying hot-applied or below grade waterproofing to your buried structures, a urethane waterproof traffic coating to your parking decks, and protective acrylic coatings to your pedestrian areas and exterior facades will extend the life of the repair, protect adjacent areas that are currently in good condition, and improve the aesthetics of the area treated.
Below-Grade Systems
A number of excellent below-grade exterior foundation waterproofing systems have become available within the last 20 years for preventing water penetration through basement walls, concrete lids, pits and other below-ground areas. The following waterproofing materials may be applied on the inside or outside of the wall or foundation.
- Fluid-applied elastomeric membranes, mastics, and coatings that form a tough, seamless membrane to withstand abuse and high levels of hydrostatic pressure.
- Hot-applied rubberized asphalt for horizontal waterproofing in split-slab construction and insulated roof membrane assembly roofs.
- Single-ply sheet systems such as rubberized asphalt sheets, EPDM synthetic rubber, PVC, CPE, CSPE, butyl rubber, and Neoprene.
- Bentonite clay panel and sheet systems that swell when they become saturated to block moisture from entering a building.
Interior Systems
Metallic, capillary/crystalline, and cementitious materials are currently available for waterproofing a structure's interior. These materials may be applied by brush, trowel, spray, or dry-shake methods to concrete or masonry substrates opposite the source of moisture. For foundations, these materials are applied to the interior of the structure. For tanks, reservoirs, and other structures that hold water, these materials are applied to the exterior.
Family-owned and operated for 100 years, Western Specialty Contractors is the nation’s largest specialty contractor in masonry and concrete restoration, waterproofing, and specialty roofing. For more information about Western Specialty Contractors, click here.
