April 2, 2010, Newsletter Issue #116: Waterproofing Membranes

Tip of the Week

The point of a waterproofing membrane is to protect a building's visual and structural integrity by keeping water where it belongs and out of where it doesn't. You might need a few tips on waterproof coatings and some explanations before getting started. To do its job and achieve total "waterproofocity", a membrane has to be: • Impermeable. The membrane must be impermeable to prevent the passage of water. • Flexible - membranes need to withstand any normal movement that may occur in building structures. • Durable. The membrane must be able to retain its integrity over a long period of time. • Designable. The membrane must lend itself to design details in a building. It must be suitable for each specific application. If a membrane cannot be applied where needed because of structural details, it is useless. • Breathable. The membrane must be able to breathe so that moisture vapors from building interior and substrates can escape freely. • Bondable. The membrane must be able to bond easily and readily to tiles that are fixed directly to them. • User-friendly. The membrane must be easy to apply, relatively lightweight, non-hazardous, and environmentally safe. • Repairable and maintainable. In exposed areas such as rooftops, the membrane should require little maintenance, and in the event of damage must be easily repairable. • Continuous. The membrane should provide a continuous film, without areas of weakness such as overlaps, which could prove to be a potential source of water entry. • Resistant. The membrane must withstand environmental and climatic conditions.

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