#Industry News
Keep It Dry: Your Guide to Waterproof Membranes
Waterproofing is the combination of materials used to prevent water intrusion into the structural elements of a building or its finished spaces. Its main purpose is to resist hydrostatic pressure exerted by moisture in the liquid state. Waterproofing membranes consist of waterproof plastic, rubber, or coated-fabric materials.
The materials are used in a system to prevent the ingress of water into foundations, roofs, walls, basements, buildings, and structures when properly installed. The term dampproofing is often confused with waterproofing, however, dampproofing is a system designed to resist the flow of moisture in a gaseous state i.e. water vapor.
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Location of Waterproof Membrane
Depending on the structure and need, the waterproofing membrane can either be applied to the interior (negative), such as the case with repairs, the exterior (positive), or in places inaccessible by people (blindside).
Positive side- Positive waterproofing membranes are applied to the exterior face of a structure. It can be applied above, below, or at grade to surfaces that will get wet due to exposure to weather conditions and the surrounding soil. Positive waterproofing is a critical step in construction because it prevents moisture infiltration and protects structural components, including the concrete and steel. It can also protect the surface from freeze-thaw cycles and corrosive chemicals. When used for below grade surfaces (such as sealing a foundation) it is available as a fluid applied membrane, sheet-membrane, or as hydros clay and vapor barriers. The disadvantage of positive side waterproofing is that it is inaccessible after construction except with costly removal of the topping landscape. Positive side waterproofing should be used alone when the surface will be exposed to corrosive soil, freeze-thaw cycles, and if there will be limitation to the interior humidity.
