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The membrane must be durable, it must be able to retain it's integrity over a long period of
time.
The membrane must lend itself to design details in a building. It must be suitable for each
specific application. The membrane is useless if it cannot be applied where needed because of
structural details.
The membrane must be able to breathe permitting the escape of moisture vapours from
building interior and substrates.
The membrane must be compatible with adhesives to ensure long term adhesion where tiles
are directly fixed over the membrane.
User friendly, the membrane must be easy to apply, relatively lightweight, non hazardous,
and environmentally safe.
In exposed areas such as rooftops, the membrane should require little maintenance, and in
the event of damage must be easily repairable.
It should provide a continuous film, without areas of weakness such as overlaps, which
could prove to be a potential source of water entry.
The membrane must be suitable to withstand environmental and climatic conditions.
TYPES OF WATERPROOFING
There are generally two types of waterproofing membranes - sheet membranes and liquid
membranes. The nature of the problem to be addressed determines which type of membrane
to be used.
SHEET MEMBRANES:
The purpose of sheeting membrane is to completely cover any imperfections in the substrate
or background. They are numerous and include:
Metal sheets in the form of lead, copper or stainless steel flashing or trays.
Multilayer bituminous paper system with gravel topping for protection.
Butyl rubber sheeting
Semi-rigid asbestos asphalt sheeting
Bitumen/polyethylene sheets
E.P.D.M. Ethylene propylene Diene Monomer
Chlorosulphanated rubber (Hypalon)
PVC Polyvinylchloride
Neoprene rubber
tight and properly detailed and the correct use of the manufacturers mastic or other
accessories are made. For example, one manufacturer requires you to apply a bead of mastic
to every lap joint within 12 inches of a corner when using its product.
LIQUID MEMBRANES
The liquid applied membrane provides a fully bonded, continuous seam-free, homogenous
layer with no laps or joins which is a major advantage over sheeting membranes.
Some of the liquid membranes available are:
Mastic asphalt
Two components polyurethane tar modified
Two components tar epoxies modified
Single pack moisture curing polyurethane
Water based epoxy two part for hydrostatic pressure situations
Polyester resin two parts reinforced wit fibreglass matt
Flexible epoxy resin two parts
Bitumen latex modified single pack
Acrylic co-polymer water based single part
Acrylic co-polymer cement modified two components
A liquid membrane is applied by spray, roller, or trowel. The liquid cures into a rubbery
coating on the wall. One manufacturer has a spray-applied liquid membrane composed of
polymer-modified asphalt. Polyurethane liquid membranes in separate grades for trowel,
roller, or spray are also available from various manufacturers.
The manufacturer probably has a special procedure for treating voids, form-tie holes, and
joints. At the wall-footing joint, you may be required to use cement or other trowel-grade
material to form a "fillet" (radius or cove) before applying the overall coating.
Advantages:
Liquid coatings have the advantages of quick application, low in-place cost, and excellent
elongation.
In general liquid applied membranes are easy to apply, seamless, semi-flexible or
elastrometric, ease of detailing, ease of maintenance and repair, UV resistant and economical.
One of the important characteristics of liquid membranes is it's ability to breathe.
Disadvantages:
One of the chief disadvantages is the possible inconsistency in coverage. The typical
application thickness is 60 mils, but it takes a careful applicator to be sure of always
achieving that minimum coverage.
Regardless of which class of membrane is used, waterproofing membranes are only as good
as the applicator. Manufacturers and distributors expect their product to be applied as
specified. Failure to adhere to their recommendations can retard the performance of the
membranes.
CEMENTIOUS WATERPROOFING:
Advantages:
Cementitious products are probably the easiest waterproofing materials to use. They're
readily available, and they're easy to mix and apply. You'll get better bonding and a more
solid, durable coating.
Disadvantages:
The chief disadvantage cementitious products have is that cement just doesn't stretch to any
degree. They will stand up fine to a head of water, but will tolerate almost no joint or crack
movement.
BENTONITE:
Sodium bentonite, a clay material, has enjoyed a steady upsurge in popularity over the past
several years. In panel form, bentonite has become the choice of a growing number of
architects and builders. Bentonite works because it can absorb a tremendous amount of water.
As it takes in water, the clay swells to 15 times its original volume and pushes itself into
cracks and voids. When it reaches its maximum volume, it stays in these areas permanently to
seal against water. One firms panels are 4x4-foot corrugated cardboard with clay particles
held within the flutes of the cardboard. The panels can be nailed, fastened with a powderactuated tool, or simply laid in place for horizontal applications.
Advantages:
Bentonite has its advantages, however: It's safe to work with, non-polluting, easy and quick
to apply, and can go on even at low temperatures. One company makes a sheet membrane
that uses a compound of bentonite and butyl rubber.
Disadvantages:
With other products, you can inspect the finished waterproofing application and confirm the
integrity of the seal before backfilling. With bentonite panels, the seal doesn't form until the
foundation is backfilled and water reaches the panel.
BOX TYPE WATER-PROOFING
For basements, Swimming Pools and under-ground ducts such as lift-pits, the waterproofing
has to withstand the water pressure in addition to its basic stress. Shahabad Box Type
treatment method of waterproofing is very commonly used in India.
Invention:
Bhati Mohiuddin, the founder of the New Construction Waterproofing Company, born in
1919 in Sikar, Rajasthan, started his career with the India Waterproofing Company, the
pioneers of the cement based structural waterproofing in then united India. His progress there
was phenomenal, and he became the head of his division in no time.
He had an inquisitive mind since his childhood and he felt a sense of wonder in everything.
This sensitivity increased and got enhanced with the years and pervaded in his sphere of
vocation that is waterproofing. He was always introspecting in methods, means and
techniques to better and develop further the structural waterproofing which resulted in the
invention of Box Type waterproofing with Shahabad tiles which was tried in the Churchgate
Subway for the first time. It was so successful that it became one of the classical treatments
of waterproofing.
His experimentation in his field of endeavour led him to adopt various techniques which
resulted in greater durability, lesser time consumption and saving of costs in waterproofing
treatments. He had empathy with structures and method of work. He took structures as living
things and treated leakages, seepages, leaching, thawing effloresence, etc. as a physician will
treat the injuries and infections of his patients. And of course, he had patience, which allowed
him to meticulously workout, plan, detail out, execute and accomplish his feats.
The ground water table in the area where the basement is located, rises considerably above
the basement level in the rainy season. The water flows are also found at various depths
below the ground level.
Due to the rise in the water table and the up thrust of the water pressure from below, the
waterproofing measures for the basement may sometimes fail and damage the basement.
Additional measures to protect the basement are carried out for large projects or commercial
complexes as details below.
Drainage in basements
Procedure:
Pathway of size 0.6m to 0.9m width is proposed, with compacted impervious material with
specified flooring on the top. The area beyond this pathway is excavated to form a trench
throughout the periphery of the basement. The highest level of the trench is kept at least
0.15m below the bottom of the basement. The perforated pipes, of about 0.45m diameter are
laid in gradual slopes. Joints of these pipes are kept open. The collecting chambers are not
plastered from inside and outside, to receive water from the surroundings. The perforated
pipes are then covered with loose material like chips and metal, to form a filter media. The
size o the filing material goes on decreasing towards the ground level.
Working:
The underground water finds the way of least resistance through the filter media. The water is
collected in the perforated pipes through the filter media. Due to the slopes provided, this
water is further collected in the chambers in between. All the water, thus carried away, is
finally collected in the deepest chamber or sump. The water collected in this sump is either
pumped out or laid into the public storm water drain.