The 7 Deadly Sins of Waterproofing

Why is it so easy for a waterproofing to fail? Here we will see the 7 deadly sins that most often cause this to happen.

Capital sin 1. Inadequate surface preparation.

Preparing the surface is always important, but before waterproofing it is more so. The grip of a waterproofing material must be very strong, since it will be subject to the push and abrasion of water.

The most fundamental thing is to achieve a firm, strong, solid and absolutely clean surface. Not only clean on sight, but truly contaminant-free.

Capital sin 2. Lack of drains.

Rainwater on the ground collects against a wall and exerts great pressure. Although the wall is waterproof on the positive side, the weight of the water compromises the structure since it subjects it to a significant weight.

To decrease pressure and increase the structural safety and life of the waterproofer, build good drainage. You can use gravel, which is a small stone, between 6 mm and 10 mm, which allows the water to go down by gravity, without trapping it. Below, a tube with holes is placed above, through which the water enters. The tube is inclined such that the water by gravity flows to one end and reaches the sewer. In this way, the water does not accumulate. By means of a geotextile the earth is prevent from mixing with the gravel.

Capital sin 3. Bad seal of drains and downspouts.

Joints are areas where water enters more easily, so they should be given more care.

With an elastomeric and adhesive material, plus reinforcing fabric, a proper seal is achieve in the drains. You can use Roof-Patch and Maxitela AP 483S.

Capital sin 4. Neglecting cold joints.

Cold joints are form when a fresh concrete or mortar mix comes into contact with another mix that has already harden or has already started to set. The most common cold joints are:

Floor-wall and wall-wall joints.

Construction joints.

Capital sin 5. Use of a rigid material when an elastomeric one is need.

When materials are heat, they expand. When they cool, they contract. Many times these changes happen suddenly, such as when the structure is in the hot mid-day sun, and in less than an hour it becomes cloudy and it starts to rain, thereby suddenly cooling the surface. The more sudden the changes in temperature, the more likely cracks will form and the more necessary and frequent expansion joints are.

If a structure subject to these stresses is waterproof with a rigid material, it will crack as much or more than the concrete itself. In these situations, an elastomeric waterproofing is need, which can absorb these movements of the structure without cracking and without transferring the movement to the coating that is on it.

Capital sin 6. Use of a product for positive pressure in negative situation.

Any item exposed to water has two sides: the positive side and the negative side. Waterproofing can be done on one side or on both sides.

Positive side is where the water comes from.

Negative side is the opposite of where the water comes from.

Cementitious products withstand negative and positive pressure. Even Penetron is app from the negative side and penetrates to the positive.

Liquid applied products should only be app on the positive side. This includes paints that are promote as waterproof.

Capital sin 7. Not following the instructions of the product.

Each INTACO product has been carefully studied:

its behavior has been test in the field.

The information include in its technical data sheet is analyzed and selected.

The dose of water is determine by a large number of tests.

Laboratory data have been obtain with standardize tests and calibrate equipment.

The literature is constantly update and the information on the packages is thoroughly review before printing.

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