Nothing makes a homeowner’s heart sink faster than the words “seeping water” or “interior damp”. Damp or water ingress usually occurs due to shoddy original construction or poor maintenance. Anomalies in weather patterns or ground movement are rare reasons for water ingress.

Once the damp issue has been picked up, it is vital to act fast as problems are compounded when left untreated.

If you are building, it is vital to focus strongly on the waterproofing factors as the value, cost-saving and stress-saving in the future are priceless.

Once you have done that, the following steps happen over time and are known as maintenance and upkeep. All paints, fillers and materials have an end date. At that point, and sometimes shortly before, water starts seeping in, and the repair costs start climbing fast.

When waterproofing, always use skilled, certified contractors with dozens of references you can call. If any aspect of waterproofing is done poorly, it is the gateway to overall waterproofing failure.

Here are some waterproofing tips for property owners:

Waterproofing When Building

The first prize is always to get the waterproofing done spot-on when you are building. Waterproofing is not only comprised of applying paint, membranes and sealants. There is a physical aspect of waterproofing that you must consider in the construction of overhangs, window sills, window recesses, component interfaces with masonry, plastic layers at foundation level etc. A quality builder is vital.

A high-quality liquid waterproofing slurry (including cement and sand) is proposed for coating all brickwork and cement work, pillars, roof slabs, renderings, plastering, etc.

The builder should write up a comprehensive program for you to review with the assistance of a technical project manager.

Waterproofing Parts Of Your Building

With regular building inspections, you can pick minor crack lines before they worsen and cause water seepage, e.g. your roof and terrace. Precise, high-quality filling (materials and skilled labour) is first done, then a superior quality coating is applied and, finally, a high-quality paint finish. Paint is the first protection against water ingress and needs a thorough, precise approach.

Old And Damaged Parts Of A Building

If your building has reached poor condition, it is best to act quickly before structural damage becomes irreparable.

A contractor may propose a two-part acrylic solution or a polymer-modified mortar for concrete and plaster repairs. Mixing waterproofing solutions into the final plastering after the physical restoration to the structure is complete adds significant waterproofing advantages.

The suitable bonding component, the right additive, and the proper technique are necessary to execute a successful waterproofing solution. These are the reasons why the use of a specialist is vital.

Waterproofing Before Re-Painting

A specialist building painting company will do moisture readings on your walls and other components that need to be painted. This reading is essential when the walls are new or repair work has been done. Erroneously trapping moisture with fresh paintwork will cause delamination problems in the future.

A professional building painting company will wait the right amount of days before commencing a paint job. Waterproofing is the inner defence, and painting is the outer defence.

If you want your property properly waterproofed and painted, contact the SRAP building painting team in Sydney, who will ensure your property’s longevity and value are enhanced to the maximum.