Benefits of Concrete Waterproofing

Although this may seem obvious, waterproofing your concrete project is essential, whether you’re in a wet climate or dry. Yes, it is more expensive, but the benefits far outweigh the costs. There are many damproofing and waterproofing products that you can use, such as sealers, coatings, waterproofing membranes, traffic bearing membranes, thin polymer overlays and each of them will make your construction project better and last longer. For more information, ACI 515 Committee Protective Systems produces good documents on waterproofing and protective treatments.

Here are a few reasons why you should have your concrete waterproofed:

1. Prevents mold
   No one wants to deal with mold spreading through their building after it has been completed. By keeping the water out, you’ll know that mold will not spread throughout.
2. Increases the property value
   Do you want to ensure that you’ll get a good price for your project if or when you decide to sell it. Waterproofed concrete is a great added bonus for a prospective buyer.
3. Protects the structure
   By waterproofing concrete, you’re actually making it more durable than regular concrete. Regular concrete does appear to be incredibly strong, but over time, it will start to deteriorate and crumble. Waterproofing helps to prevent that from happening and keeps the strength and integrity of the building.
4. Prevents need for future repairs or restoration
   As mentioned in point 3, the concrete is stronger and lasts longer when waterproofed. That means that you’ll be spending less money in the future for concrete repair and maintenance.
5. Obviously, it protects against all kinds of precipitation
   Rain, snow, sleet, hail, any kind of moisture can penetrate through concrete pores and cracks and cause lots of damage. The easiest way to protect against that is to maintain your concrete joints and waterproof your concrete. No matter how much precipitation, it’s a great idea.

When planning out your next big construction project, make sure you’re budgeting the waterproofing into your concrete estimates. Whether it’s a concrete floor, parking deck, support wall, or any other industrial use of concrete, waterproofing is a must.