Waterproofing Materials & Processes
The purpose of every home is to provide shelter from the elements. Ideally all buildings would be weather tight and not allow a drop of water through. Unfortunately this is impossible and leaky roofs are a fact of life no matter what kind of home you have. With developments in chemical compounds and techniques, waterproofing a home has becoming more efficient and feasible feat. Our waterproofing section explains how to maximize the life of a roof through waterproofing. Also included are some solutions to a leaky roof.
Apply a liquid membrane by spray, roller, or trowel. The liquid cures into a rubbery coating on the wall. Polyurethane liquid membranes in separate grades for trowel, roller, or spray are also available from various manufacturers.
The manufacturer probably has a special procedure for treating voids, form-tie holes, and joints. At the wall-footing joint, you may be required to use cement or other trowel-grade material to form a "fillet" (radius or cove) before applying the overall coating.
Liquid coatings have the advantages of quick application, low in-place cost, and excellent elongation. One of the chief disadvantages is the possible inconsistency in coverage.
Different products for non-industrial purposes include Thompson's Water Sealer and Elastomeric Paint.
Another very important aspect of waterproofing is caulking. Any gaps or cracks in a surface obviously allow for water penetration.