Waterproofing in Buildings: Structural Safety and Longevity

So, what should be considered for a flawless waterproofing application?

1. Correct Material and Construction Chemical Selection

There is no one-size-fits-all solution in waterproofing. It is of vital importance to choose the right material according to the physical conditions of the area to be insulated.

• Cement-Based Liquid-Applied Waterproofing: Polymer-modified and two-component cement-based waterproofing mortars, which provide flexibility, ensure excellent adhesion to concrete surfaces.
• Polyurethane and Bitumen-Based Products: These should be preferred in areas exposed to sunlight (UV) or temperature changes, such as terraces and roofs, which require higher flexibility.
• System Compatibility: The waterproofing material used must be 100% compatible with other construction chemicals to be applied over it, such as ceramic adhesives or joint fillers.

2. Waterproofing in Foundations and Retaining Walls (Protection from the Ground Up)

A building's foundation is the area most exposed to water and chemicals in the soil. Foundation tanking operations and retaining wall waterproofing are the hardest and most costly stages to remedy once the building is constructed. Underground water levels and hydrostatic pressure must be calculated. To stop water coming from the outside, "positive side" waterproofing techniques must be applied correctly, and "negative side" techniques should be used to stop water that has already seeped in. Drainage systems and waterproofing must complement each other, and the waterproofing layer must be protected against mechanical damage (with protection boards) during soil backfilling.

3. Wet Areas: Bathrooms, Balconies, and Terraces

Wet areas, where water is used most intensively inside the building, are the points where water leakage to lower floors most frequently occurs.

• Under-Tile Waterproofing: Tiles and ceramics alone do not provide waterproofing. Waterproofing must absolutely be applied to the floor and the lower parts of the walls just before using high-quality, flexible (S1 or S2 class) tile adhesives.
• Chamfer Tapes (Waterproofing Tapes): The junction points between floors and walls are the first places to crack during the flexing of buildings. Flexible chamfer tapes (waterproofing tapes) must be placed at these corner joints.

4. Consideration of Regional and Climatic Factors

The geography where the building is located directly changes the waterproofing strategy. Especially in coastal strips exposed to high humidity and sea salt, buildings face a much more aggressive risk of corrosion. In such regions, instead of standard products, advanced technology construction chemicals and exterior protectants that are resistant to sulfates, chlorides, and extreme humidity cycles should be used.

5. Flawless Surface Preparation and Workmanship

Even if you use the highest quality waterproofing material in the world, the system will fail if surface preparation is poor.

• Surface Cleaning: The surface to be applied must be completely cleared of dust, oil, paint residues, and weak parts.
• Primer Application: To balance the absorbency of the surface and increase the adhesion of the material to the concrete, an appropriate primer must be used.
• Curing Times: Waiting times between coats and the full setting (drying) times of construction chemicals must be strictly observed.