Getting your home built from scratch feels exciting, it’s a wonderful experience that everybody should experience in their lives. From choosing the design to selecting materials, you take care of every minute detail to make your dream home a reality. However, waterproofing is one detail that often gets overlooked and people don’t realize it until it’s too late. To ensure that the foundation of a building remains strong, it’s crucial to protect it from water damage, leaks and damp issues.
Proper damp proofing is essential in new builds to ensure long-term protection against moisture and structural deterioration. Let’s understand why waterproofing is important in new builds and how it can help secure your property.
Why Waterproofing is Necessary for New Builds
Initially, a newly built property might seem safe and free from water-related problems but over time it can develop serious issues. Water seepage does not just affect some walls and floors, it compromises the structural integrity of the entire building.
Prevents Structural Damage
Moisture seeps into walls, roofs and foundations, causing small and large cracks and weakening the building over time. Professional waterproofing helps prevent this, keeping your building strong and durable for years.
Protects Against Mold and Mildew
Damp walls create the perfect environment for the growth of mold and mildew, which not only damages surfaces but also poses serious health risks. Waterproofing helps keep out moisture, reducing the chances of mold growth and health issues.
Reduces Maintenance Costs
Getting water damage fixed is not just a hassle but also an expensive and time-consuming task. By investing in comprehensive waterproofing during the construction phase of the building you can save yourself from costly repairs in the future.
Increases Property Value
A well-built and waterproof property is more attractive to buyers and investors. Proper waterproofing is a long-term investment that boosts the overall value of a building and increases the buyer’s interest.
The Best Waterproofing Solutions
Foundation and Basement Waterproofing
The foundation of a building is its most vulnerable part, if water seeps in through cracks, it can cause structural instability. With common waterproofing methods like cementitious coatings, bituminous membranes and bentonite waterproofing, you can prevent moisture from penetrating the building’s foundation and keep underground structures and areas like basements dry.
Roof Waterproofing
The roof of a building is constantly exposed to harsh sun rays, rain, wind and temperature changes, these conditions make it more prone to water damage. Using liquid waterproofing membranes and polyurethane coatings can help create a strong, durable barrier against leaks. For flat roofs, bituminous coatings can work well. It’s important to select the right waterproofing product and technique based on the area to be waterproofed to ensure long-lasting results.
Exterior and Interior Wall Protection
In humid areas and during the rainy season, walls need extra protection. Water-repellent coatings and acrylic-based waterproofing can help prevent water from seeping while allowing walls to breathe. Damp-proofing treatments can be applied inside walls to stop rising dampness from causing damage. These solutions can keep your exterior and interior walls safe from damp issues and cracks.
Bathrooms and Kitchens
Bathrooms and kitchens are two areas that come in contact with high moisture, they need proper waterproofing to prevent leaks and dampness. Getting cementitious waterproofing done under tiles, liquid membranes on floors and silicone sealants around sinks and showers provides comprehensive protection against seepage. By keeping these areas well-sealed, you can avoid moisture from spreading to other parts of the home.
Things to Consider Before Waterproofing
Before getting waterproofing done, it’s important to first understand the weather conditions of the area. Is the region prone to heavy rainfall or high humidity? If yes, then you may need stronger waterproofing solutions like polyurethane membranes and bituminous coatings. The material of the building also matters as different materials absorb moisture differently. For example, concrete is porous and needs extra protection as compared to steel and glass buildings.
Although investing in good quality waterproofing materials may seem expensive initially, in the long run, it helps save a good amount of money by reducing repair and maintenance costs. As waterproofing is a specialized task, it’s best to contact a waterproofing professional to ensure proper product application and long-lasting results. They can help you get the job done right in one go, keeping your building safe, dry and structurally sound for years to come.
