Façade Maintenance
Significance of Waterproofing in Residential Properties
W
aterproofing is one of the most essential milestones in the construction world. It is a crucial element for any design or construction activity both in rural and urban scenarios. The season of monsoon & several back to back cyclonic disturbances throughout the year results in severe dampness, seepage of water in walls and slabs, and this has become a common sight in most Indian homes. These can be either on the roof, ceiling or walls of residential buildings & bungalows. To address these universal problems professionally is to adopt precautionary methods through waterproofing. The foundation structure of any property (be it commercial or residential) is the most crucial element in construction. The roots are extremely vital to make any property sturdy. Modern developers create signature properties, which reflect innovation in construction,
Seepage of water in walls and slabs
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WFM | JAN - FEB 2022
design and layouts. In this process, they often forget to address an intrinsic part of the construction, which is waterproofing. A wellinformed property seeker always will check on this vital aspect before finalising a property. For the lesserinformed individual, waterproofing essentially is the process of making any structure water-resistant so that it remains relatively unaffected by water under specified weather conditions. The three generic segments of waterproofing are basement waterproofing, internal waterproofing and roof waterproofing in residential properties. An average property seeker often enquires about floor area, basic amenities, locational advantage, connectivity, budget etc. Due to the lack of awareness about the importance of waterproofing, it is often overlooked despite being an integral part of any building. India being a tropical country, waterproofing is imperative. Year-round rainfall and floods in
some regions definitely call for waterproofed structures. Excessive rainfall or high underground water-table causes moisture build-up within the structure of the building resulting in water stains, peeling off paint from walls, short-circuit, damaged furniture, water seepage and dampness etc. in the buildings. Waterproofing can prevent a structure from all these adversities, else they will require constant repair with regular unnecessary monetary investment. Research shows that waterproofing expenses (while constructing) account for just 2-3 % of a building’s total construction cost approximately; however, damage caused due to moisture build-up & leakage can account for up to 80% of a building’s defects. The process of waterproofing not only protects the house from the damp condition but also controls moisture build-up, the appearance of mould & fungus inside and outside the building, but also helps to retain the aesthetics &
