Waterproofing the shell of a building is one of the most important procedures that must be done properly, because it is what protects it from the effects of moisture and thus prevents corrosion of the materials that make up the building.
- The most important parameter for a successful waterproofing is the correct preparation of the surface. This should include very good and proper cleaning and carrying out any repair work that may need to be carried out prior to the application of the sealant. Inadequate cleaning of the surface will result in poor adhesion of the sealant to the substrate. Also, the use of the appropriate primer is very important and it is essential that the manufacturer’s instructions are strictly followed for proper application of the materials.
- It is essential to use the appropriate waterproofing material, depending on the needs of each roof. For example, if there are proper roof slopes, acrylic roof sealant can be applied. However, in cases where the roof has insufficient slopes, hybrid sealants based on acrylic and polyurethane resins are recommended, which have a longer lifetime.
- In difficult roof waterproofing areas such as corners, edges and joints, local waterproofing should be applied using reinforcement (glass fibre mesh or polyester fabric) to avoid cracking. Failure to use reinforcement at these points will lead to the possibility of moisture or even water entering the building.
- Products should not be applied at ambient temperatures lower than 5℃ and higher than 35℃, due to the risk of creating failures.
