When it comes to home exterior waterproofing, the pros usually throw around the term “hydrostatic pressure”. While you might have an idea of what it is, you must know why it matters, especially when mulling a foundation or basement repair project that can greatly affect your home’s value.
If you inspect a concrete foundation years after it was laid down, and it was not waterproofed, you will notice that it doesn’t look as smooth as when it was new. This is because water breaks down concrete over time. Not only does it look bad now, but it’s also weaker. Water has broken down and eroded part of the foundation, so its stability is now questionable.
It takes a few years for water damage to be obvious with concrete, but if your foundation suffers an extreme case of water damage, it can be completely destroyed. When this happens, you can be quite sure that your floors and walls are damaged as well.
For safety and longevity, you should waterproof concrete foundations to protect not just the concrete, but the rebar inside the concrete that can rust and start to erode over time.
Waterproofing a concrete foundation also protects it from the growth of mold and mildew, which love dark and damp places. Mold and mildew do not only affect the looks of concrete and other surfaces, but they can also harm your household’s health.
If your area is flooded after a storm, you’ll have to work hard to remove the water from your basement and clean the muck. If your foundations are waterproofed, at least you can be sure they won’t be affected as much by the flood.
Home exterior waterproofing can help increase your property’s value over time. You might even be able to use it as leverage if you’re asking for higher offers.
When waterproofing a concrete foundation, a liquid-applied membrane is a preferred method. Two layers of this waterproofing membrane are advisable for extra protection and longevity. Your contractor will use a brush or spray method to apply this waterproofing membrane.
Get in touch with Stonebridge Roofing, Waterproofing, and Exteriors for more information about waterproofing your foundations during new home construction or home exterior renovations. Call us today at (904) 262-6636, or contact us here.
Waterproofing your home is extremely important. Waterproofing failure can result in water intrusion in critical areas, such as the basement and house foundations. Today, we discuss the common causes of waterproofing failure.
Waterproofing isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. With a standard waterproofing installation, a membrane is installed between the bare soil and the house foundations. A primer or adhesive is applied onto the membrane to make it adhere to the foundation slabs and walls. The wrong combination of primer and membrane can result in debonding, which, in turn, results in the membrane losing its adhesion and creating gaps in the seams that will ultimately allow moisture to penetrate the structure.
Using the right waterproofing membrane also matters in home exterior waterproofing. Inexperienced contractors substitute materials like ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) or thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) – both of which are commonly used for commercial roofing – as waterproofing membranes. While these materials are water-resistant, they are not suitable for use for below-grade waterproofing.
Proper preparation is important in waterproofing as there will be no chance for a do-over once the slabs are laid into the ground. To ensure proper waterproofing membrane adhesion, foundation slabs need to have even surfaces, without moisture or contaminating substances like oils and dirt. Improperly prepared slabs can result in poor adhesion, resulting in water infiltration. Incorrect installation methods, including improper overlaps, can likewise result in waterproofing failure.
A house may settle because of the ground shifting or because the composition of the soil has changed. The latter is usually due to improperly routing water from the gutters either due to overflow or leaks. As the soil absorbs the excess water, it becomes softer, resulting in parts of the house settling into the ground. If this happens, the waterproofing membrane would get torn apart, resulting in gaps where moisture can get in.
Ultimately, the solution to these problems is simple: work with an experienced exterior waterproofing contractor. Building-appropriate solutions like waterproofing coatings can be used when needed
Stonebridge Roofing, Waterproofing, and Exteriors is your leading provider of waterproofing and other home exterior renovation services. Give us a call at (904) 262-6636.