WATERPROOFING

If your building is constructed above ground Damp proof course will be sufficient to
prevent the penetration of dampness into it. But if your house has a basement or space
below ground, special care should be taken to prevent dampness coming in. Basements
could be made waterproof by three methods.
01. Use of dense monolithic concrete walls and floor.
02. Tanking techniques.
03. Drained cavity system.
Use of dense Monolithic Concrete
In this method dense high quality materials, good workman ship, and attention to design
detail and on site construction methods are essential. If all aspects are strictly controlled
a sound and waterproof structure could be produced. But always remember these are
always not water vapor proof. If it is desirable to make the structure vapor proof some
waterproof coating, lining or tanking is needed. The water tightness of dense concrete
depends on
1. Water / Cement Ratio.
2. Degree of compaction.
In the Harding process concrete produces heat. To stop your concrete from cracking, you
have to keep its temperature stable. The mixture should not contain cement more than
needed at the first place as the amount of cement in the concrete contributes to the
production of heat. Concrete with a water / cement ratio of 0.5 - 0.6 is water tight, but
above that ratio concrete becomes less watertight.
Joints
Mastic asphalt tanking
Internal Mastic Asphalt Tanking
Drained cavity system
Joints
These are lines of weakness, which may lend to leak unless carefully designed and build.
They should be simple in concept and easy to construct These either provide for
movement accommodation (Expansion Joints) or create convenient stopping point in the
construction process (construction Joints)
The Joints in basement slabs should be kept at a minimum and if water bars are specified
they must be placed in such a manner so that it would ensure the complete compaction
of the concrete.
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In basement walls also a suitable water bar should be incorporated in the joint to prevent
the leaking of water.
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This type of a kicker may be enough but if it is specified use a water bar.
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Mastic asphalt tanking

The objective of tanking is to provide a continuous waterproof membrane, which is
applied to the base slab and walls with complete continuity between the two
applications. Tanking could either be applied internally or externally depending on the
site conditions. Epoxy resin compounds and bitumen laminates could be used as
alternatives for mastic asphalt tanking.
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Internal Mastic Asphalt Tanking
For this method to be effective the horizontal and vertical parts of the asphalt coat must
be continuos. It is advised to adopt this method only if external tanking is impossible.
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Drained cavity system

This type of waterproofing can be used both for new building and for refurbishment work.
In this method a little bit of water seepage is allowed. That amount of water is then
collected and drained away. The inner wall should be relatively vapor tight or the cavity
should be ventilated.
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