Right approach to the waterproofing of a building

The arrival of monsoon is alarmed by different activities; one of them is many housing societies undertaking a building waterproofing work. That constitutes applying tar and filling of the cracks with some sealants such as calking compounds, mastics or with pastes like polysulphides. Often due to the lack of proper information, or due to the monetary constrains, such works are under taken as an immediate and cheapest remedy. When such work is completed, the building is left with a shabby look and the entire city with an ugly appearance, as number of like efficacies prop up. After carrying out such treatments on the building the leakages remain as they were, members’ grievances are not attended to, and frustration is brought to the office bearers. For many it becomes a hard way of learning that there is “no short cut to waterproofing”.

The water is important factor in a creation of a structure; water is prime factor in the destruction of it. Without water no modern structure can come into existence. If we succeed in preventing water entering in to that structure, we increase its life by many times, to surpass its decided life on the design table.

Preventing ingress of water into a structure body is not an easy job. There are various factors affecting the existence of a structure. With proper maintenance one can eliminate some of the causes responsible for the destruction; thereby more utility years are added to the designed life span of that building. Waterproofing is an important activity in a maintenance schedule of a building. But it was not looked at with seriousness as it deserved, till recent time. Now lots of research work is going around the world on the subject of waterproofing. Many new ideas, products and methods are emerging as a consequence of the research.
The important concept around which all the methods of waterproofing are designed is called in short BDD. That is create a Barrier to stop water entering into the structure, Direct all free flowing water in to the channels or pipes to carry it and design and maintain a perfect Disposal system to transport this water to the ultimate drainage system. When this is done thoroughly, the results are astonishing.

The whole structure is exposed to the elements of nature. In a structure body there are hollow pockets, weaker spots and capillaries which store and carry water. There are moving members in a structure which are required to be considered while deciding upon the method for the treatment. The water has a tendency to stick, travel, move and exert pressure on the surroundings. It also has a property to dissolve certain components or impurities present in the building material. The gasses present in the environment have their say in increasing the complexity of the problem. All these factors are required to be considered before adopting a system of treatment.

When waterproofing is done systematically it performs for long, protects the inner core of the structure and reduces the cost on the maintenance. A building without leakages contributes in the development of one’s own self and has many positive sides attached to it to live with.