Water Penetration
Water Penetration is key in any successful build. When building any structure it is important to take the concepts shown below and apply them to the work being done. These techniques will allow for a dry long-lasting home that will stand the test of time.
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Why is water-proofing
important?
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Anything that's not waterproof will not stand the test of time.
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It can crack rot or collapse.
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Water damage is expensive and time consuming to fix.
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If the source of the water damage is not fully dealt with then it will happen again.
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The process of waterproofing foundation
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Excavate and power wash foundation
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Repair any damage to the foundation and apply two coats of parging
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Add a footing bevel where the foundation wall meets the footing
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Apply AquaBloc primer and apply BlueSkin waterproof membrane
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Apply Platon Membrane
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Install new weeping tile
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Backfill and grade property away from the foundation.
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Grading
Whenever you grade the land around a house you always want the water to be directed away from the home, if the water is not directed away you can have a buildup of water against the foundation and have a higher potential for erosion and cracking of the foundation. This will lead to costly repairs in the future and possibly structural damage depending on the severity of the issue.
Walls
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Waterproofing for wall partitions requires a few key elements
You first need to apply your sheathing to the outside section of the wall. Next, you install building paper or house wrap and depending if it is a masonry finish or siding you leave a 1” space or if the manufacturer for the siding recommends nailing strips to help with airflow. For a wall with siding flashing must be installed along the bottom of the wall where the siding ends, the building paper running over the top of the flashing edge. Finally install your siding or brick to protect the building paper from UV and direct contact with natural elements.
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Windows
When waterproofing windows you must first start with the rough opening of the window and make sure to cover the studs with a waterproof membrane before resting the window on top. This can either be a Blueskin membrane or you can have the Tyvek building wrap continue into the window to create a seamless waterproof joint. Next after installing the window apply all flashing and make sure the window is oriented correctly with the weep holes facing down. Finally when the siding is applied to the home caulk around necessary areas avoiding covering drainage areas
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Doors
Sealing gaps between the door and door frame with weather-stripping. Add a rubber door sweep to the bottom of the door to create effective water-tight seal between the door and the floor. As well as caulking the door frame and sealant around door windows
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Different Forms of Sealing
Different forms of sealing (These are some of the different materials used to seal windows, roofs, walls, etc.)
Tar (foundation) - effective way to protect basements against moisture
Blueskin- exceptionally high temperature and performance roofing underlayment
foundation wrap, window sills and doorframes
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Tyvek -in the sense that its structure remains stable and unaffected even when submerged in water, it's just as strong when it's wet as when it's dry
Zip Sheathing - High-quality structural sheathing panel made of engineered wood delivers strength and durability
Caulking- fully waterproof and can expand with temperature changes, because its created from a flexible polymer made of silicone, latex and rubber
Flashing- thin pieces of impervious material installed to prevent the passage of water into a structure from a joint or as part of a weather-resistant barrier system.
Drip Edge - metal flashing installed at the edges of the roof to keep water away from your fascia and from getting underneath your roofing components
Cementitious Waterproofing - coatings are typically two-component blends used behind the tile, over masonry patching, and over concrete surfaces
Liquid Waterproofing Membrane - Water-based, liquid applied, waterproof membrane. Easy and fast installation to foundation walls. Ideal for masonry, concrete, ICF, PWF foundations.
Dimple board - Interior Drains protects against incoming water seeping from cove joints, where the wall meets the floor.
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Blueskin- exceptionally high temperature and performance roofing underlayment
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Tyvek -in the sense that its structure remains stable and unaffected even when submersed in water, it's just as strong when it's wet as when it's dry
Zip Sheathing
Caulking
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Bituminous Coating - also known as tar coating or asphaltic waterproofing, a very sticky substance that holds well to concrete surfaces, even when they're vertical. It is applied in the form of a spray.
Ice and Water Shield -also referred to as “peel and stick”, is a waterproof roof underlayment membrane developed to protect vulnerable areas on a roof from ice and water damage.
Bituminous Membrane - perfect for waterproofing roofs, basements, below-ground structures, bridges and other structures.
Polyurethane Liquid Membrane- a liquid-applied system that offers decisive advantages particularly where seamless systems are desired, either structurally or aesthetically
On a final note
Ensuring there is no water penetration should be taken seriously when building the structure. Improper sealing in the stages where it is easy to apply can cause expensive invasive repairs along the way.
