A very frequently asked question in our industry is that why should we do waterproofing? Waterproofing protects your house from water damage caused by rain and moisture and is one of the most important things you can do as you endeavour to take care of your home. The question is thus not “Why you should waterproof your home”, but rather “Why not?!”
Waterproofing is required at below-grade concrete surfaces for several reasons. The primary reason is to keep moisture from intruding on your home. However, it is also required to protect the structural contents from water infiltration that can cause structural damage to the concrete or corrosion to the embedded steel. Concrete is by design a porous material, and water can pass through it by hydrostatic pressure, water vapour gradient or capillary action. Water can also enter at cracks, structural defects or at improperly designed or installed joints. Waterproofing is also required to eliminate deterioration to the concrete that can occur from the exterior and interior chemicals that are present at your home.
It is easy to see when a balcony or the concrete roof has not been waterproofed, cracks begin to form, interior or exterior paint begins to peel off, dampness begins to show, and leaks begin. Our team of professionals have also confirmed that one of the most common leakages is on a concrete roof/balcony area at the outlets. Tremco recommends boring 80mm outlets to ensure no blockages occur, it is also easier to waterproof a bigger outlet.
Our approach to waterproofing a concrete roof/balcony:
- Prepare concrete by removing dirt/existing waterproofing or tiles
- Drill outlets if required and apply a self-levelling cement to secure water flows towards the outlets
- Apply a bonding liquid to the concrete surface
4.Begin our waterproofing process using our trusted products
Tremco uses an Eco plasticryl system infused with a polyester membrane which contains UV properties making it suitable for concrete surfaces. Tremco offers a 10-year Guarantee which is required to be maintained every 5 years. However, it is not required for balconies to be maintained if tiles have been applied properly on top of our waterproofing.
