The process of making a surface impervious to water by using different types of hydrophobic materials or coatings is because water-repellent materials possess the magical powers to protect your residential or commercial property from destruction caused by water ingress. This blog post will thoroughly guide you about:

•  Different insulating materials
•  Pros and cons of these materials

Why is Waterproofing Important?

Insulating your property from water ingress is important because of its role in protecting your home. Some benefits of moisture-proofing your property are listed below:

1.  Increased durability
2.  Microbial growth prevention
3.  Lower electricity costs
4.  Preservation of physical integrity
5.  Increased market value

Different Kinds of Waterproofing Materials

Let’s go through different types of hydrophobic materials that serve as the first line of defense for your house against weathering. You can choose the right type of waterproofing material based on these factors:

•  The area has to be waterproofed
•  Moisture proofing technique to be used

A.  Cementitious Coatings

The most popular method of insulating your property is applying cement-based, water-resistant coatings. The cementitious coating comprises the underlying components:

•  Sand
•  Silica-based materials
•  Organic substances
•  Inorganic substances

To prepare the coating, you have to prepare a mixture of coating powder with water. Cementitious coatings are usually used for insulating these areas in your home:

•  Washrooms
•  Basements
•  Pools
•  Water tanks
•  Terraces

These coatings can be applied easily and are cost-effective. However, cement-based coatings lack flexibility.

B.  Liquid Waterproofing Materials

Liquid waterproofing materials are applied as a thin coating to insulate surfaces. First, you apply a primer coat and then use a spray or roller to apply two coats of the hydrophobic material. Nowadays, liquid materials are frequently used as they offer higher flexibility than cement coatings. These materials are fabricated from asphalt modified by polymerization. Different types of liquid moisture-proofing materials include:

a)    Liquid Bituminous Membrane:

Bituminous membrane is a liquid-based water repellent. It is also known as liquid asphalt. It protects against water ingress. These membranes are highly viscous.

Pros:

Some properties of the liquid bituminous membrane include:

1.  Water-Resistant: It is highly impervious to water.
2.  Self-healing: Small cracks appearing in the membrane heal themselves over time.
3.  Water Resistance: It can survive extreme weather conditions without getting damaged. It is also resistant to UV radiation and high temperatures.
4.  Versatility: It is highly versatile. It can be used as a protective waterproof coating for numerous horizontal and vertical concrete surfaces such as:

•  Foundations.
•  Basements.
•  Cellars.
•  Pavements.
•  Bathrooms.
•  Kitchens.

5. Flexibility: It is quite flexible, and the degree of flexibility depends on:

• Degree of polymerization.
• Quality of the polymer grade.
• Quality of fiber from which it is produced.

Cons:

Despite various benefits, there are some cons of bituminous membranes too.

•  Liquid bitumen is not environmentally friendly as it is prepared from crude oil.
•  The installation of bituminous membranes is complicated. The surface must be prepared before the coating is applied, and its high viscosity is also a contributing factor.

b)   Acrylic-Based Materials:

Acrylic membranes are water-based and prepared by combining acrylic polymers with other materials. Acrylic coatings are recommended for areas with increased exposure to sunlight, such as balconies. They protect against water and weather conditions. 

Pros:

Acrylic-based water repellents are quite popular in the construction industry due to the manifold benefits they offer. Some advantages of these materials include:

•  Water resistance.
•  Cost-effectiveness.
•  Ease of application.
•  Strong adherence to various surfaces, including wood, concrete, and asphalt.
•  Shorter drying time.

 Cons:

However, there are potential drawbacks of acrylic based liquid water repellent as well. For instance,

•  They are unable to bridge larger cracks.
•  They are not resistant to heavy traffic.
•  They are vulnerable to premature degradation on exposure to standing water.
•  They have lower chemical resistance.

c)    Polyurethane Membrane:

Polyurethane is one of the best water repellents. It can fill even the tiniest cracks in concrete surfaces. It penetrates smoothly and deep into the surface and reduces its ability to absorb moisture. Apart from preventing water ingress, polyurethane also protects oils, detergents, and various other chemical agents.

Pros:

Polyurethane serves as an excellent waterproof membrane due to many properties:

1. Versatility: It is highly versatile. Due to its versatility, it is often used to waterproof surfaces like:

•  Roofs
•  Terraces
•  Balconies
•  Foundations

2. Flexibility: High elasticity adds to the flexibility of these membranes. Therefore, they are ideal for repairing gaps and cracks in moving surfaces like foundations.

3. Durability: These membranes are highly durable due to their ability to:

• Understand high temperatures.
• Resist harsh weather conditions.
• Tolerate sunlight and UV exposure.
• Resisting chemicals.

Cons:

We recommend you also consider the drawbacks of polyurethane membranes before choosing them as an insulating material.

1.  High Cost: They are costly as compared to acrylic and bituminous membranes.
2.  Difficult Installation: One requires a lot of skill and expertise to apply polyurethane membrane coatings.
3.  High Curing Time: They require a lot of time to dry, so your waterproofing project will take a bit longer to complete.
4.  Unpleasant Odor: Polyurethane material does not smell good. You need adequate ventilation while installing these membranes.

C.  EPDM Rubber

Many experts recommend EPDM rubber layering that is available in different sizes and thicknesses. It is mainly used for insulating:

•  Roofs
•  Terraces
•  Façades
•  Expansion joints

Pros:

Some salient features of EPDM rubber moisture-proofing include:

1. Flexibility: EPDM rubber can expand or contract as per temperature fluctuations. It can resist temperatures ranging from -40 to 130 degrees Celsius.
2. Resilience: It can withstand:

a) Harsh weather conditions.
b) Exposure to chemicals and toxins.

3. High Elasticity: Due to high elasticity, it is quite suitable for insulating moving structures such as foundations.

Cons:

However, there are some cons of EPDM rubber coatings as well.

1.  Vulnerability to Damage: Rubber insulation is merely a thin layer of protection. Environmental elements can easily damage it.
2.  Shrinkage: EPDM rubber can undergo shrinking over time. As a result, the cracks and leakages in the roofs are exposed.

D.  Rubberized Asphalt

Rubberized asphalt is mainly used for moisture-proofing commercial buildings. There are two types of such coatings:

1.  Hot applied rubberized asphalt: It has to be heated to approximately 375 Fahrenheit before application.
2.  Cold-applied rubberized asphalt: It is available in liquid form and can be applied at ambient temperatures.

Some properties of this material include:

•  High impermeability to water
•  Flexibility
•  Durability
•  Versatility

However, the application of rubberized bitumen coating requires skill and expertise. It is also expensive and has a longer curing time.

Conclusion

You must waterproof your property in order to preserve its structure and protect it from environmental hazards. Different types of hydrophobic materials are available for this purpose, including cement-based coatings, liquid bituminous coating, polyurethane, rubberized asphalt, and acrylic-based water repellents. For choosing the right type of material, it is important to consider the properties of the area that needs to be waterproofed.