Why Waterproofing Is Important For All Concrete Structures

Waterproofing is one of the most critical aspects of a concrete structure. Most people, however, deem waterproofing as an unnecessary inconvenience during the development phase of their buildings. Water infiltration into concrete structures can cause structural damage. With time, this results in the deterioration of the concrete and corrosion to the embedded steel of the structure. The best way to avoid incurring the high repair costs to correct this is waterproofing all your concrete structures during the development phase. In this post, we will discuss some of the reasons why waterproofing is necessary for all concrete structures.

Concrete Is Hydrophilic

This means that rather than repelling water, concrete will absorb the water. While it is a very durable and cost-effective building material, it will degrade over time. It needs an extra layer of protection to preserve its durability. When your metal or wooden structures, your flooring, or your drywall start to show signs of water damage, the source could be micro cracks caused by water penetrating the concrete below. Look for bubbles in your paint, swelling or uneven floors, and signs of mildew to spot issues caused by water. It’s best to include waterproofing during construction, but it’s never too late to fix the damage and add proper waterproofing after the fact.

Waterproofing Protects Interiors From Water Damage

The inside part of your concrete structure is exposed to numerous weather elements such as rains and sun rays. This includes insulation, foundation, floors, and even walls. Although sealing your concrete walls with steel will work in the short run, it will rust and crack with time exposing your walls. The best way to protect your walls against seepage is by waterproofing them at the point of construction to give your building a strong and healthy start.

Promotes Long-Term Comfort

The presence of moisture in the interiors of your concrete structure can lead to discomfort in the long run. It is even worse when the moisture finds its way to your ceilings and walls. This is because moisture in these places leads to the growth of mildew and mold, which can create numerous health issues. This is why it is important to waterproof your concrete structures at the right time. To ensure that you and your family are safe from health problems that may be caused by mold and mildew, you should waterproof your building during its construction phase.

Saves You Money

Although waterproofing your building may seem like a blow to your budget, it will save you a lot of repair costs in the long run. The cost of repairing a concrete structure that has been damaged by water infiltration is generally very high. This is why you should never take waterproofing your building as a short-term investment. It is better to take it as an investment to solve a problem that may cost you a lot of money in the long run. This is especially true for foundational issues which can be costly to address.

When developing a concrete structure, waterproofing should be very high on your priority list. This is because prevention is always better than cure. It is better and cheaper to protect your building against water infiltration than to repair the damage that may be caused by the penetration of water into the inside parts of your structure.