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The Importance of Waterproofing to Your Foundation

Other than burning down, a compromised foundation is the worst structural problem homeowners can face. Houses are built on the foundation, which helps to maintain structural integrity by transferring dead and live loads into the ground. But when all is said and done, water is the leading cause of foundation problems.

Foundation

The Importance of Waterproofing to Your Foundation

The wet soil underneath a foundation might shift from loss of strength or swelling. Maintaining a dry foundation is important because this change is known to have a negative impact on structural integrity. Dampness is also a problem since it presents an ideal environment for mold growth. Apart from making below-ground spaces unpleasant, mold might be a health hazard. Unfortunately, conventional concrete is not waterproof, and even though it might keep out liquid water when it does not have cracks, water vapor penetrates easily. As such, preventing water from moving through concrete and ensuring it drains away from the foundation is essential to structural integrity.Depending on factors such as climate, soil or water table conditions, geographic location, topography, and depth of the foundation, the task of installing proper drainage to guarantee dry below-grade spaces might be relatively straightforward or somewhat involving. Systems designed to keep water out will consist of three basic components, and these are:
• Drains for moving water away from the foundation’s bottom.
• Wall treatment designed to route water downwards and into the drains, which helps to ensure moisture does not move through the wall.
• Ground surface treatment installed adjacent to the building, which helps by directing surface water away.

Waterproofing
While leaky basements are a common problem, taking precautionary measures to keep your below-grade interior spaces from flooding might be the best solution, especially since you now know that water is the leading cause of structural issues. Basement waterproofing is an excellent investment because it helps prevent water damage, which often leads to costly repairs.

Before you engage an expert, you’ll want to have some basic knowledge of the methods and products used to prevent basement leaks. Knowing a little bit more about the process of curing a leaky basement or what waterproofing involves is important. Apart from knowing what to expect, arming yourself with this information might help you choose the right service provider.

Waterproofing situations are often entirely different, and so are the basements involved. As such, identifying the exact location of moisture penetration is just as important as developing an ideal and sustainable solution. Here’s a look at the three methods used to make below-grade spaces impermeable.

1. Interior waterproofing and sealants
Cracks, which usually form in concrete foundations, are a common water entry point. Fortunately, many professionals have the skills and equipment to seal such cracks. To seal off potential moisture entry points, waterproofing experts will usually inject a special sealant into the crack openings from the inside of below-grade spaces, making sure it penetrates all the way to the outside. The sealants used should have the ability to prevent leaks even when subjected to high levels of humidity.

You can, however, choose to use watertight coatings. This waterproofing method is a viable alternative since the coating employed will adhere to your concrete walls permanently and function effectively even when subjected to dampness or minor condensation. Unfortunately, the use of watertight coats or sealants does not fix major leaks or flooding. This inability is mainly because waterproof coats and sealants don’t perform well when subjected to intense water pressure.

2. Exterior waterproofing
Exterior waterproofing involves extensive excavation, which needs to be done around the entire house and all the way to the foundation’s base. Once the excavation is complete, experts will use a waterproof coating to seal the walls and make them watertight. This helps by directing water away and towards a drainage system. Thanks to this waterproofing method, homeowners can keep water from seeping into below-grade spaces through the walls or foundation. Additionally, exterior waterproofing prevents moisture from causing damage to a home’s interior and foundation.

3. Installation of interior and exterior drainage systems
Proper drainage systems allow better control over water, even in cases where water has already penetrated into the house. Using a sump pump to collect and drain water from below-grade spaces is one of the simplest ways to enhance drainage. Even so, you’ll want to be sure you’re pumping the water away from your house.

Interior drainage systems serve to drain underground water from below-grade spaces as well as the water that collects along the foundation. Though some homeowners take the functionality of an interior drainage system lightly, these systems can provide extensive benefits when there’s a power outage, heavy rainfall or heavy melting of snow. Apart from helping to ensure the area is free of both mold and mildew, proper drainage is effective in keeping water out of the home.

Taking preventive measures is important, which is why you should contact an expert and prepare your home before it’s too late.

Some Important Waterproofing Technology Breakthroughs?

Waterproofing Technology: A Timely Issue

Waterproofing technology today plays an important role in numerous industries. From the application of waterproof paints and sealants, to the development of new fabrics and protective instrument casings, this topic generates a lot of attention from scientists and business leaders alike. Recently, some significant breakthroughs in waterproofing technology have excited widespread interest.

Waterproofing Technology  Waterproofing Contractor

Developing An Ultra-Water Resistant Surface

A group of researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology recently announced a stunning breakthrough in the development of an exceedingly water-resistant surface. Their research focused upon repelling water droplets. They announced they had discovered a way to increase exterior ridges in silicon in a way that deflects water falling onto the surface.(1)

Their research could lead to the eventual production of very “hydrophobic” i.e. water resistant garments and mechanical and electronic parts. Since the fine ridging pattern will reduce the contact time between water droplets and a surface, it could hold great value in terms of enhancing ice-resistance. Frozen water clinging to aircraft parts poses a significant aviation issue in many situations. By installing a more water-resistant coating, manufacturers might enable products to display superior deicing properties.(1) Similarly, ultra-water resistant fabrics would help protect people from exposure to the elements more effectively in some settings. Camping gear, swimming pool furniture and many other products will likely eventually benefit from this new technological innovation!

Spray-On Waterproofing Convenience

Another research team, this one working at the Australian National University (“ANU”), also reported a significant breakthrough in waterproofing tech this week. A spokesman from the educational institution’s Nanotechnology Research Laboratory revealed a team of scientists had succeeded in blending together two different plastics to create a new spray-on coating with a highly water-resistant surface. Water droplets will not remain on surfaces coated with the product.(2)

Antonio Tricoli and William Wong worked on the development of the sophisticated nanotechnology formulation. They hope their research will eventually contribute to the creation of many effective new spray-on waterproof surfaces in a variety of industries. For instance, Antonio Tricoli explained that the new formulation will prevent bathroom windows from misting over. He hoped the coating would also help keep glass windows appearing cleaner longer, too. The scientists from ANU envision an array of useful applications for their invention.(2)

A New Era of Commercial Materials

The two new discoveries in waterproofing technology both function on a very small scale to produce significant benefits. During recent years, inventors have paid considerable attention to developing sealants and coatings to enhance the water resistance of certain commercial items. Protective “skins” and cases covering sensitive mobile electronic devices have achieved widespread popularity among consumers, for example.(3)

Ongoing research in this field testifies to numerous other useful applications for new waterproofing materials. Recently, researchers discovered a way to produce “self-cleaning” paints. By incorporating water-resistant sealants into their products, they will move closer to this goal.(4)

Potential Real Estate Applications

The housing industry will likely benefit significantly from these discoveries in the near future. For example, consider the usefulness of water-resistant surfaces in low-lying rooms? As scientists develop new industrial coatings, hydrophobic paints will likely serve an important function in helping to reduce water and mold damage in these environments.

Additionally, very water-resistant surfaces might help prevent the accumulation of ice on driveways, walkways and rooftops. Coatings to protect glass surfaces from water stains will eventually reduce the cleaning challenges posed by residential windows. All these innovations promise to make life easier for homeowners in coming decades!

References:

(1)http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2016-09/08/c_135672123.htm
(2)http://www.techtimes.com/articles/1630/20131126/scientists-make-breakthrough-in-waterproof-technology.htm
(3)http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/30/technology/personaltech/a-review-of-protective-and-waterproof-cases-for-smartphones.html?_r=0
(4)https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/0315/050315-self-cleaning-surfaces