When a property is under construction, a method of keeping water out of the building is required. There is always the risk of moisture penetrating and causing damage to earth-retaining structures (structures that are in direct contact with the ground). This is especially true for newly constructed cellars, basements, and other below-ground structures.
Because of the rise in local water tables, earth-retaining walls are frequently subjected to increased hydrostatic pressure. As the first line of defense, external waterproofing should always be considered.
What is External Waterproofing?
Exterior waterproofing (also known as the external waterproofing) is the procedure of restoring a leaking basement from the outside of your home by exposing the foundation and implementing waterproofing material. This is to form a foundation waterproofing system that deflects and dilutes water away from your concrete foundation.
External waterproofing or deep digging can be done on one side of the house or all around if necessary. It is one of the most effective waterproofing solutions for basement leaks and the most common method of basement foundation repair.
Why Do I Need External Waterproofing?
The ultimate goal of external waterproofing is to have a dry internal environment in your basement or cellar. Hydrostatic water pressure may be experienced by any wall in direct contact with the ground. To prevent water from entering the structure, you must effectively deal with this pressure.
Conventional barrier tanking can be used to protect the basement structure. However, if tanking is subjected to enough hydrostatic pressure, any minor flaw will be prevented. Furthermore, barrier tanking is generally unmaintainable, which raises the risk of failure over time. The best risk-mitigation option is a complete external waterproofing system that includes an internal cavity membrane.
External Waterproofing Systems
We recommend combining a primary and secondary waterproofing system, as well as a priming stage, for external waterproofing systems.
Priming
Priming is usually the first step in external waterproofing. Priming entails spraying the exterior structure with a specially designed spray. This causes the masonry pores to close, resulting in a water-repellent surface. Primers are also intended to form a chemical bond with the waterproof coating used in the primary waterproofing stage.
Primary Waterproofing
Primary waterproofing entails directly applying a waterproof material to the exterior wall. Waterproof the substrate with a waterproofing compound like Multi Tight. These specially designed coatings have a high compression strength and remain watertight even when subjected to high pressure.
Secondary Waterproofing – External Membranes
An external waterproofing membrane should be installed. This functions as a drainage system, quickly removing any water and relieving hydrostatic pressure on the building. Furthermore, the membrane works to protect the primary waterproofing, particularly during the backfilling procedure. As the backfill starts to settle, it also acts as a slip membrane for the external cavity membrane. You have both a primary and secondary waterproofing barrier when you use the external waterproofing system described above.
When these methods are used in tandem, the risk of defects is greatly reduced. Both methods are also highly adaptable, giving you peace of mind that if the building settles or moves in the future, the external masonry waterproofing will move with it and remain watertight.
Professional Help
External waterproofing should be performed by waterproofing experts. Homeowners should avoid doing it themselves or hiring other trades involved in construction who are not actually experienced in waterproofing.
ItileNT experts can analyse the condition of your home, assess the scope of the water leakage, and offer you the best and most reasonable solution to the leakage problem using their most advanced technology.
ItileNT is the only waterproofing contractor that uses a unique system to prevent rainwater from seeping under your house footing and floor slab. This results in foundation settlement and less dampness in your basement.
Allowing external waterproofing experts to do their work is the most certain way to complete your project. You can rely on ItileNT to handle this for you in Darwin, Humpty Doo and Palmerston. You can be certain that you will hire trustworthy individuals with years of proven experience in this field. Give us a call at +61 0400 729 303 and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.