Articles

What is new in basement water proofing

by Nitin Gohil Construction Chemicals Division

Although water forms an important component of mixing during construction, it is also equally damaging if the issue of water proofing is not considered. Water damage, floods and other problems may cause unnecessary delay in projects, costing some serious bucks. Many people think that water proofing is a luxury, because it is also an expensive procedure if it is being done for the entire building, but that is not the case. It is actually a technique used to protect your construction site and its interiors from being damaged by water.

Cement or concrete is the life of construction project. When a building is being made, the concrete is checked for its water permeability and its equation of reaction with chemicals. Water will bring with itself a lot of salts, alkalis and other chemicals like chlorides, sulphates, etc. which may harm the concrete ad cause it to erode. This can be very harmful for the building over time, because it increases the risk of the building falling down. Hence, it is important that the cement or concrete is treated to good water proofing procedure before it is used for any construction project.

What are water proofing solutions: When a construction project is undertaken, technically only 22–24% of water (as per weight of cement) is added. But normally many people put 45–50% of water which is a wrong practice. The resulting cement or concrete mixture will leave more pores when it settles because the water tends to evaporate, leaving behind porous walls. This will be easily exposed to erosion because then salts and other harmful chemicals can easily make way into the cement thus creating problems. Hence, expert now agree that water proofing solutions are important and needed for construction projects.

Basement water proofing and other types: There are different types of water proofing solutions and techniques. Most of the time, water proofing is done at the beginning of the construction project. Many times if the builder does not do that, then the tenant of the house can do the needful. One of the most common being basement water proofing. In this type of procedure, the basement concrete is protected by water by sealing the entire area with sealants or materials that protect it from water erosion. It may also involve the use of sump pumps, or drains, which are installed to make sure that water does not reach the basement of the house.

Water proofing the house: This technique is used for buildings or houses, which are established at the ground level or below it. Because it is more prone to water erosion, hence it is important that they be waterproofed at once to avoid any damage to the base level of construction. Because there are pores and cracks in the cement, it makes way for water to enter and cause problems. Thus, water proofing uses sealants and other materials to completely seal the area. It is like interior coating, which does not allow water to seep inside thus preventing any damage that may have occurred otherwise.


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About Nitin Gohil Innovator   Construction Chemicals Division

13 connections, 1 recommendations, 66 honor points.
Joined APSense since, August 28th, 2015, From Mumbai, India.

Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.

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