Every builder, subcontractor and architect knows that your project or site can suffer significantly from poor waterproofing.
Without the right waterproofing measures and solutions in place, your commercial or residential building can sustain water-related damage, costly structural defects and safety issues that can both reduce the ongoing value and compromise the project as a whole.
Some of the most common waterproofing failures occur on concrete roof decks and podiums, where the use of bituminous sheet membranes is prevalent.
Let’s find out why and the ways you can do waterproofing right today to prevent future problems tomorrow.
Why do some waterproofing jobs on concrete roof decks and podiums fail?
Waterproofing roof decks and podiums ensure the long-term durability and functionality of your building project.
Usually, bituminous sheet membranes are used to waterproof these areas. Bituminous sheet membranes, also referred to as asphalt coatings, provide a flexible coat to safeguard rooves, podiums and retaining wall foundations against water penetration.
Over time, however, these sheet membranes typically fail. Here’s why:
- Bituminous sheet membranes tend to lift.
Bituminous sheet membranes come in the form of rolls. To use them for waterproofing, they must be neatly laid over the surface such as on a concrete roof deck.
Problems occur, however, when these sheet membranes are not correctly aligned. Waterproofing can then fail in this instance due to faulty overlaps or when heating is not effectively facilitated to bond each layer.
Wrinkles and air gaps caused by insufficient adhesion of end laps also often lead to one of the sheet membranes ‘lifting’. As a result, these sheet membranes then become separated and water easily seeps in, compromising the waterproofing capabilities.
- Not all waterproofing solutions can withstand ponding and hydrostatic pressure.
Another disadvantage of bituminous sheet membranes is that they can’t withstand water dwelling on them for long periods of time.
The material that these bituminous sheet membranes are made of is somewhat water soluble, allowing them to easily break down. Just think of bitumen road surfaces after prolonged heavy rain – they get all cracked and worn away with potholes.
High hydrostatic pressure can also easily damage sheet membranes, especially if there are loose joints, again compromising the waterproofing capabilities.
- Most waterproofing products such as bituminous sheet membranes can only be applied to dried surfaces.
When these bituminous sheet membranes are not applied to perpetually dry surfaces, there’s a tendency for them to come apart. The majority of waterproofing products also have weather and seasonal restrictions, so issues can occur when you use them during incorrect weather conditions.
As you know – prevention is better than cure.
And nothing is a better example of this than waterproofing. So, if you have a roof deck or podium, it’s important to think ahead and choose the right waterproofing products that will stand the test of time.
The right waterproofing solutions for concrete roof decks and podiums
There are a wide range of waterproofing solutions available on the market. To get the best results, you need to choose the waterproofing products that will suit the specific needs of your site or project.
At Scientific Waterproofing Products (SWP), we offer a wide range of Drizoro products that not only can strengthen and waterproof concrete roof decks and podiums, but can also protect your entire building against cracks, leaks and foundational decay.
Our Drizoro products, which include Drizoro MAXSEAL® FLEX and Drizoro MAXSEAL® FLEX-M offer the following advantages for your waterproofing project:
- Non-toxic, flexible and waterproof coating
Our Drizoro products have a very high adhesion on common substrates in construction such as concrete, natural and artificial stone, traditional mortar plasters, bricks, concrete blocks and Hebel®.
Once applied, you can rely on our waterproofing products to automatically key into the substrate. Since they don’t require any mechanical joining, you don’t have to worry anymore about seams or membranes lifting.
- Cementitious or cement-based waterproofing products that can withstand water both in the short-term and long run
You can use our Drizoro products to waterproof, even in the most severe conditions and high negative or positive water pressure circumstances.
In fact, our Drizoro MAXSEAL® FLEX and Drizoro MAXSEAL® FLEX-M are best applied on surfaces that are saturated with water before the application process. This means that they can be used in all weather conditions, all year round.
- An easy and convenient application process
Using waterproofing sheet membranes comes with a huge workload – from carrying the long rolls of membrane to the site, all the way to cutting and fitting them into surfaces and laying them firmly using heat.
With our cement-based Drizoro products, you only need to ensure the surface is clean, tidy and well-repaired. Also, most waterproofing products require that a primer be applied to the surface first. However, with Drizoro products, you only need water as a primer!
- A fast application process
Aside from being super easy to apply, using Drizoro products is also convenient for your busy schedule e.g.: – instead of waiting for the concrete roof deck to cure (usually 28 days), Drizoro products are best applied to soft/green concrete.
You want excellent, ongoing results from waterproofing products
Waterproofing failures can have a problematic impact on your project or site. They can leave you with more serious water-related damages and hefty repair costs.
As such, it’s crucial to be equipped with the best waterproofing solutions that can prevent leaks, mould growth and pooling water as well as eliminate unnecessary moisture that can infiltrate the foundations of your commercial building or project site.
If you want to learn more about our cement-based waterproofing products and why they are the right solutions for your project, just consult our local Australian waterproofing specialists!
Get the right specification of waterproofing product for your next project
At Scientific Waterproofing Products, our team is here to provide you with the most effective waterproofing for your unique project.
We offer a wide range of Drizoro cement-based waterproof coatings that are made from high-quality raw materials and backed by a 10-year product warranty.
If you’ve got any questions or issues around your next waterproofing job, or you’d like to find out which product is best for your project, contact us today! You can also check out a list of local Drizoro resellers and applicators here.
As always, SWP is committed to providing the right waterproofing solution for any water-related problem or application.