With the truth in the statistics, it is clearer than ever that home renovators and homeowners face unfortunate difficulties when it comes to waterproofing. The answer is in education.
Waterproofing has been around for a long time, liquefied heated tar was used in ancient times to waterproof objects and materials and even today tar and oil based waterproofing is still used. But construction has changed, we now rely on thin-walled, fiber cement, plaster, and wood framing products. The mass of a building will no longer provide security against ingress of water. This is probably why we see an increase in water problems more than ever.
Architecture has opened up many design possibilities for the construction of balconies over living spaces, light shafts and roof terraces. But these come with stringent requirements, sadly the construction industry can be plagued with poor compliance with required standards in these critical areas. Areas where not only ultraviolet light and heat play an important role, but also the force of the wind and the collapse of buildings. People are unaware of the massive force exerted on the subsurface membranes, most of the time the only layer that separates the occupant from external elements, namely water.
The cost of rectification is astronomical compared to what a waterproofing system with the proper range would be. It is true to say that one stitch in time saves nine. In most cases, lamellar membrane systems are the most effective in creating extremely durable outer membranes, in second place is spraying on polyurethane and liquid rubber.
It is absolutely necessary to strictly enforce the standard of waterproofing requirements, but until this becomes legislated and legally binding in the construction industry, homeowners and builders need to educate themselves and ensure that the strict requirements for watertight construction are met. and, if possible, overcome.
It seems simple, but changing people and industries with current established practices is very difficult. People are afraid of being wrong, afraid to admit that they have not been strictly thorough in the past. Change is in a way an admission of guilt in this. And this is what we are up against on the peer-to-peer level.
Be firm in your demands for a high performance waterproofing system. Make sure you have a skilled craft and experienced setup for waterproofing both in your bathroom and outside. Know the requirements for wet areas and choose carefully when selecting a contractor to carry out the works. Professional waterproofers pay close attention to detail as the job requires. Hire dedicated waterproofing / tiling specialists and waterproofing handyman builders. Specialists base their income on the job security they provide, while all-in-one workers have multiple concerns and, in most cases, these are the jobs that fail.
We have to hand over total control to others on a day-to-day basis, but that does not have to mean that we are forced to accept the low standards that proliferate at some levels of the construction industry. Choose quotes based on the merits of your level of experience, previous jobs, and if they hire specialists, choosing a quote based solely on costs is wrong. You’ll always invest more in quality, but it will stand the test of time and save money in the long run.