The Dangerous Effects of Poor Waterproofing in Buildings
Posted on: 23 July 2015
Commercial Waterproofing is a vital step in construction and remedial property maintenance. It's a costly yet vital part of property ownership. With so much emphasis on this aspect of construction, have you ever wondered just what the downside to waterproofing is? Failing to waterproof your property can have grave results, to the point of total property dilapidation. Read on to see how.
Reinforcement corrosion
One way poor waterproofing can affect a property is through corrosion of the rebar metal reinforcement. This happens when water seeps into the concrete frame and reaches the steel metal. As long as the property remains poorly-waterproofed, corrosion will continue to progress. Such corrosion can be diagnosed through leaking of rusted water or exposed rusted rebar frames. As part of the remediation process, the rusted metal has to be cut out and replaced entirely to restore the property's structural integrity.
Concrete spalling
Another sign on poor waterproofing on a building is spalling of concrete. This is where the concrete begins to break off in fragmented chips. Spalling can take place due to a number of reasons. One, moisture can weaken the cement in the mortar causing the breaking. Two, water can expand during winter, pushing against the mortar and causing spalling. Spalling will leave a building looking dilapidated and will easily expose the metal reinforcement to rust.
Mold/algae growth
Mold and algae are also signs of moisture damage in a property. The two can appear when a property is as risk of rising damp from the ground or penetrating damp from the walls or roof. However, note that algae and mold can also appear due to poor condensation from internal humidity and poor ventilation. Either way, your property will need a proper inspection to determine the source of the moisture on your walls or ceiling.
Low indoor temperatures
When water penetrates a building's structure, it has the effect of causing a temperature drop in the structure. The floors and walls will feel cold to the touch. Consequently, the rooms will feel colder as well. In cold months such as winter, this phenomenon can keep your indoor temperatures very low, thereby forcing you to use a lot of energy to keep your premises warm.
Respiratory diseases
Last but not least, poor waterproofing can also cause respiratory diseases if not corrected. This can be attributed to various factors such as the extremely low temperature of the indoor spaces as well as breathing in allergens from mold, algae and other elements in the air. As result, ailments such as colds, asthma and bronchial infections will occur for those staying in the premises in the long term.
Remember, exposes surfaces such as ponds, car parks, rooftops or balconies will wear periodically. You should therefore check how long the current waterproofing membranes are rated to last. Once expired, get remedial work curried out immediately.
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