Understanding Waterproofing

Understanding Waterproofing
the way to “Dream House”

By
Shailesh Kudtarkar

Waterproofing in building maintenance
Waterproofing is an important feature in the maintenance of a building, but did not receive serious consideration, till recent times. It may be so because at a place like Mumbai the question of waterproofing arises only during four months when there is pouring heavy rain. Rest of the year since the climate is dry the irritating wetness is not felt. So with the animals like frog even the desire to get the waterproofing done goes into hibernation.

It may be so because to get waterproofing done is not an easy task. The activity demands extra efforts than any other job in the civil trades. Incase of housing society building, the hard work begins from bringing all the residents to-gather, letting them know the importance of the work, finding good knowledgeable contractor, assigning the job etc. But the hardship do not end here till the work is done satisfactorily and the results are achieved. Most of the time the job fails and if at all any success is achieved, then it is short lived.

The reason could be the ignorance and casual approach to-wards the waterproofing. The tendency is to postpone the work till the time water flows above the head and when it becomes grave then the importance of waterproofing is realized and hectic running about is done to find some corrective treatment. Every thing is done hastily of which the results are obvious. Till recently it was believed that waterproofing is such a simple thing that it can be done just by applying some chemical and that’s all. Slowly the attitude is changing and the people have started showing keen interest in different methods and process in waterproofing. They have realized that if the water is kept away from the structure then its operational life increases, the cost on maintenance reduces and it really becomes “home sweet home” with all positive attributes to live with.

Waterproofing of a structure is an in-depth subject. The person who has to give the results needs to know the building in and out. He should understand its various joints, movements and percolation points. It is also important to know the properties and characteristics of water and its movements. The good thing is that the attitude to-wards looking at the structural waterproofing is slowly changing and many engineers are now opting for the specialization in the subject. Some renowned institutes are holding special post-graduate courses in waterproofing and there are many students including from the neighboring countries who are trying to secure a seat in a program when conducted in such a specialized activity.


Water as a deteriorating factor
The water is creator and also destroyer of a structure. The water is required in the creation of a structure and the water is responsible for its early deterioration. The water with the help of minerals propagates the bacteria, fungus and creates a favorable environment for them to thrive on the surface. These bacteria, fungus etc. are living cells and have their natural secretions which are acidic and form the cavities on the surface by chemically itching the surface. Every day thermal variations and changing seasons support the process and turn small cavities into hairline cracks, prominent cracks and eventually into the fissures. The ingress of water helps in deterioration process of concrete. Water molecules reach the steel reinforcement and the process of corrosion of steel begins.

Waterproofing is very important from the point of stability of a structure. The corrosion of steel reinforcement, if not attended in time then the question of stability of the structure supersedes all priorities. This ultimately increases the maintenance cost and reduces the service life of a structure. It is possible to prevent the damages to larger extent by effective waterproofing treatment. Once the damages set in, in the structure, then it becomes very difficult to bring it back to its original status.

One has to strive for achieving the perfect waterproofing of a structure, throughout, by using various appropriate methods and the materials and that too in correct systematic way. That will certainly pave a right way to reach the dream house.