What Should You Know About Waterproofing Membranes?
Rubbergard
EPDM*
- Weather Resistant
- Fire Resistant
- Easy to apply
What Should You Know About Waterproofing Membranes?
Usually, when a building shows signs of water damage, an engineer recommends using waterproofing membranes as a cost-effective and relatively easy fix. However, there is more to waterproofing than meets the eye; for instance, there are many steps to ensure that the membrane is durable. Durability is essential because membranes must hold up to a great deal of wear and tear.
Unfortunately, if the waterproofing membrane fails, it can have some very disastrous effects, adversely affecting the integrity of your building’s structure, which leads to various health risks and raising the cost of ownership. That’s why it is so important that building managers and homeowners hire professionals to choose and apply the right waterproofing membrane to address the issue at hand.
What Is A Waterproofing Membrane?
A waterproofing membrane is a layer of material that covers the surface to prevent water from getting in and damaging it. Generally, the process will consist of applying liquid or what’s called pre-formed sheet membranes. The membrane forms on the surface, shielding it from further water damage.
Broadly speaking there are different forms of waterproofing membranes:
Liquid Membrane
‘Liquid Membrane onsite’ is a liquid membrane solution that cures (onsite).
The disadvantage is that system relies on the applicator to apply it at the correct times ie ambient temperate or dropping temperature with some polyurethanes, no wind, little moisture in the air etc. This increases the risk of things going wrong and can cause the system to fail.
Factory-cured Rubber Membrane
So the timing to apply a liquid membrane is crucial. The Waterproof Lab has had enormous success with a rubber membrane that is “factory cured”. We roll it onto the substrate and either fully adhere it to the substrate or weigh it down with stone or ballast.
The fact that the membrane is “Factory Cured” removes the risk of the elements i.e., the rain, moisture, the wind blowing, dust etc.
Rubbergard
EPDM*
- Light weight
- No maintenance
- Eco Friendly
Why Are Waterproofing Membranes Important?
Waterproofing aims to help secure the structure from various types of water damage, thus doing away with the need for further repairs to the structures. Excessive exposure often enlarges the foundation joints and cracks, leading to problems from deterioration to spalling, requiring urgent repairs. That’s why water damage needs to be stopped in its tracks.
The use of a high-quality waterproofing membrane can help with:
Improving safety – Damage owing to a lack of correct waterproofing can often be severe to the point that it impacts the integrity of the building, making the environment unsafe.
Strengthens the structure – The use of waterproofing membranes helps to prolong the lifespan of a building by limiting the intrusion of moisture, which causes rotting, structural defects, corrosion and other types of damage.
Provide a healthier environment – The use of waterproofing helps to ensure that your structure is well maintained and it is protected from the elements. The build-up across your ceilings and walls can lead to mould and fungus, which then triggers various health issues like allergies.
Helps to reduce maintenance costs while raising the property’s value – The use of quality waterproofing, when done right by a professional safe, guards your property from further damage limiting your need for expensive repairs moving forward.
It is imperative to address water damage before becoming a more significant issue. Air movement helps move 98% of the water vapour in a building. Air moves from high to low-pressure areas via the shortest patch. This means you have air travelling through cracks and holes in the structure. Thus, you have moisture transferring quickly, which means that permanently sealing any of these areas or paths of air movement will help to control the movement of moisture through the building. The use of waterproofing membranes can also help prevent the movement of airborne pathogens.
The Various Types of Membranes
Various types of buildings will often require a slightly different kind of waterproofing membrane to be used to prevent damage. Waterproofing membranes can be used both in the basement and roof to prevent water damage. Making this decision early on to save the structure can help avoid costly future repairs like when there are cracks and joint problems. However, the key is choosing the right type of waterproofing membrane for the structure.
As mentioned earlier, there are various types of waterproofing membranes, and they often consist of the following materials.
Self-adhesive Modified Bituminous Membranes
The membranes mainly comprise tackifiers, asphalt and polymers, which contain mineral stabilizers. However, some products are reinforced with polyester and fibreglass. Those that are designed to be exposed to the elements like the ones used on the roof will be surfaced with coatings, opaque surfacing, mineral granules etc.
Polymer Modified Membrane
It is the most widely used material for creating a waterproof layer. They are often available as polymer-bitumen roll-fed sheets. The materials are also excellent for use as an underlay for pitched roofs, and they work great as vapour barriers.
EPDM Membrane
The EPDM membrane is a special preformed elastomeric membrane made from excellent quality rubber. The resulting product exhibits excellent elongation and tear resistance capabilities. It also has high tensile strength and is resistant to heat aging, alkalis, acids, weathering, oxygenated solvents and other elements.
Thermoplastic Membrane
Thermoplastic roofing membranes are different from many other commercial roofing membranes. The material is a blend of ethylene-propylene, polypropylene and reinforced polyester. There are sheets of TPO that also have colourants, UV absorbers, flame retardants, and various other add-ins needed to achieve the desired physical properties.
Asphalt aka Bituminous Membrane
Hot melt liquid bituminous rubber membrane is used for various podium decks and roof applications, offering a seamless look and feel. It is the ideal choice for high green roofs and podiums and is often used in places where temperatures can plummet to sub-freezing temperatures during winter.
Polyurethane Membrane
The products come with a water-based polyurethane membrane that is fibre enhanced and destined to be used across various waterproofing applications. The membrane may be covered with concrete beds, tiles, and other items. The membrane offers top-shelf adhesion characteristics, making them the best choice for building substrates, masonry, concrete, cement sheeting, plasterboard surfaces and wet areas.
Final Word
Waterproofing membranes are an important preventive measure for any structure. Choosing the right membrane and having it professionally installed can potentially save you from hundreds if not thousands of rands worth of repairs in the long term. Plus, it improves the value of your property.
The best thing about using a waterproofing membrane is that it is comparatively affordable and quick. Depending on the size and type of structure, most professionals can apply and be out of your hair in no time, so there is no extensive waiting or the danger of a membrane or material causing further damage.
