Building waterproofing keeps water out of a building, preventing damage to the structure and its contents. It can be added during construction or after, and is important for occupant comfort and safety. Waterproofing measures include surface systems and interior membranes, and are known as ‘the envelope’. Building codes provide guidelines, and regular checks are necessary to ensure adequate waterproofing. Signs of a problem include damp walls, mold growth, rot, and standing water.
Building waterproofing is a process designed to keep water from entering a building. Extensive waterproofing measures are usually added to a building at the time of construction, to provide moisture control from the start, and waterproofing can also be done after a building has been constructed, to address problems as they emerge or as part of a modernization of the building. Waterproofing is vital, for a variety of reasons, and many contractors around the world specialize in waterproofing buildings, providing maintenance, refurbishment and new construction services.
From the perspective of its occupants, building waterproofing is important because it keeps a building dry. It also reduces indoor humidity, making a building more comfortable to work in and protecting items inside the building from damage caused by moisture or water exposure. However, building waterproofing is also important for the integrity of the building itself.
Water damage can be a serious problem in a facility. With water comes mold and a host of other problems that can undermine foundations, make the condition of the building unsafe, and damage property within the building. Wooden buildings can experience rapid decay from exposure to water, but water penetration can also damage concrete and other building materials, especially in cold climates where water can freeze and cause cracks. Insufficient waterproofing can be a problem all year round, not just during the rainy season.
Some permeability in a building is desired, not least because the building’s occupants generate moisture that must be vented safely. The goal of waterproofing buildings is to prevent water from entering the building as much as possible and to provide outlets and drainage so that if water gets inside, it is not allowed to sit down. Surface systems include things like boards to protect the walls of a house or shingles on the roof of a building. Interior measures may include membranes within the walls, such as barrier insulation that keeps water out. Typically, building waterproofing is done in a number of ways to create more barriers for water so that it cannot enter a structure. Together, the waterproofing measures are known as ‘the envelope’.
A number of building codes specifically provide guidelines on waterproofing buildings, with contractors following these guidelines and adding additional measures to the envelope when building structures. Property owners are also usually required to check regularly to confirm that their structures are adequately waterproofed. Some signs that indicate a problem with building waterproofing include: damp basement walls, mold and mildew growth, signs of rot, and standing water within a structure.
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