Why Waterproofing Is Required For Concrete

Quick flash to 2000 BC: men struggle to protect their shelters from water. Fast forward to 2021 AD: men struggle to protect their shelters from water. Uhh! Nothing has changed in four thousand years... except the disregard for waterproofing regulations has gone far worse.

Yes, you heard it right! Not that we can't get over the waterproofing plague, but we are not doing enough to get over it. 

• The construction complexities have gone far off the limit.
• The waterproofing principles are still ignored.
• And we continue to compromise with waterproofing solutions. 

That said, it still doesn't rule out the importance of waterproofing the concrete. Are you wondering if you can go about your house and office without waterproofing them? Trust me—you're playing with fire (water figuratively). You don't have a second option with cement, concrete, and masonry.

One quick reason

The longevity of the structure! No one builds their homes for uncertain crumbling. You want it to stand tall, through thick and thin, come heavy rain or water. Don't you? So waterproofing cement-based materials can prolong the life of the structure.

What does the law say?

Waterproofing in India is compulsive in many parts, although not everyone abides by the code. Even building code necessitates waterproofing for safety.

What happens when water interacts with concrete?

I would have loved if the battle between water and concrete was the battle of infinite force with an immovable rock. But that's not how it is. Water always wins if you have ignored waterproofing the concrete. So water is an infinite force, true! But concrete no longer remains an immovable rock because water damages it badly.

It not only looks terrible, but it gets weaker internally.

The extended interaction can erode the concrete ultimately, popping out the matrix materials and the inner concrete. If you haven't seen any— check old mortar among your knowns. You have to be extremely unlucky to witness withered concrete in a few days. In most cases, it takes water a few years to completely peel off the concrete's surface. Such damages can expose the underlying structure of your house, including walls and floor. It's safe to say you'd want to find concrete surfaces in the same condition you left. You can do it using waterproofing chemicals.

Ask yourself: what's a good concrete project?

Well, the one that appears fresh for years and has lasting strength. And it's impossible without using waterproofing products in concrete. Here's the plus of waterproofing: when you put these water-repelling chemicals in the concrete, you're promising the bars of keeping rust and erodes at bay. 

The benefits of waterproofing concrete

Let's agree to this: no one wants to get into a waterproofing mess because it needs some serious work done. But is the matter worth your negligence? Would you waterproof your concrete if it gave you gold and money? I double bet, most of us would. And I am not joking. It brings me to the first benefit of waterproofing the concrete.

#1 Your property value will shoot up

If it doesn't trigger you, nothing will. Here's how it works. Imagine you wanted to buy a new house. Would you shift should it have water problems? Absolutely not! Even if you make up your mind, you'll ensure the best bargain for the watery house and moist basements. Similarly, when you're looking to sell your house, a waterproofed house can become a good selling point for them. In worse cases, seepage problems can become real deal-breakers. So don't hesitate to use waterproofing chemicals to your concrete; who knows, they're enhancing your property value?

#2 Say goodbye to molds and mildews! 

Did you know a non-waterproofed concrete can promote molds and mildews at home? Here's the rub: you may not want to live with these uninvited guests, but they like spending time with you and literally everyone on the planet. And when they're happy, they multiply at an insane rate, which can weaken your building's structural integrity and health. Waterproofing your compound, basement, concrete tankers, etc., should limit these molds and mildews from invading and colonizing your home. 

#3 Phew! Easy-peasy maintenance 

Suppose it rained a lot last night. Now, if you have a waterproof concrete terrace, all you have to do is drain the water. And ta-dah! Your terrace is back to the standard shape. But if you had a non-waterproof terrace, you might find water damaging the cement. Who's going to clean that mess up? YOU!

Fortunately, you have a lot less work with waterproof structures, and cleaning is never an "Oh no! Not again" task. 

What should you do before waterproofing concrete?

You don't simply go to your concrete and start spraying the chemicals. You have to perform certain rituals. No, not the holy ones, but you may call them holy practices in building and construction. 

Do's 1: Clean and dry up the surface.

It's best to have chemicals seep within the concrete if you're spending on waterproofing solutions. Scrape or remove any paint cover to make sure the chemical really goes in at the molecular level. Wipe it up like a slate clean. Ensure there's no dirt. Use warm water and soap mixture if you're finding it hard to peel off the covering. You can use scrubs as well. Please rinse the entire surface once you've scrubbed the layer. And finally, let it dry well. 

Do's 2: Apply hydraulic cement. 

The second phase involves applying hydraulic cement or concrete mix to the walls and surfaces. The idea is to fill the holes in these surfaces. Make concrete patches and allow them to dry for at least 24 hours. 

Step 3: Tape all your items 

You want to protect your home or office when working with concrete and chemicals. They can litter all around and annoy you to the core. So you should tape your house, especially points such as electrical boxes and switchboards. 

20MCC as your waterproofing partner 

Look! Waterproofing concrete at your home and commercial is not enough! You can't throw-in the spray and sit back. It's way more complicated than that. And the first complexity is choosing your waterproofing materials. At any cost, choose high-quality products like those of 20MCC to save your time and money on re-spends. You want to avoid counterfeited products from non-branded makers because the matter is about your home.