Waterproofing of the foundation is an important element in ensuring the stability and longevity of the building. Waterproofing of foundations and waterproofing in general prevents water from entering the building’s structures, which can cause rotting, deformation, corrosion and other structural damage.
Based on the water pressure the waterproofing systems are divided into different groups. In different countries, these divisions are different, but in most cases they are divided into at least three different groups.
System distribution according to water pressure:
Soil moisture and and non-pressurized seeping water – water acting on the structure flows off it without exerting pressure
Moderate exposure to pressurized water – water acting on the structure exerts short-term pressure on the structure (a puddle on a horizontal surface, for example)
Constant pressurized water – the structure is affected by continuous pressurized water
In the case of non-pressurized seeping water, all common thin waterproofing materials can be used. The material protects the structure from the infiltration of soil water, but does not guarantee the water resistance of the structure. If the structure is affected by even short-term pressurized water, a material with higher water resistance must be chosen.
Moderate exposure to pressurized water, i.e. temporary pressurized water, requires a waterproofing material with higher water pressure tolerance, such as liquid bitumen membranes or bitumen roll and floating membranes. These materials are stronger and have better water resistance, and their installation is usually carried out with special pumps using specialized labor to achieve a high-quality result.
For areas with constant pressurized water, it is recommended to use elastic mineral, elastic bitumen-based or elastic polyurethane resin-based waterproofing materials that adhere very well to the substrate, which are specially designed to protect structures in the event of long-term pressurized water. The installation of these materials is also carried out mostly with special pumps using specialized labor to achieve a high-quality result.
The choice of waterproofing material depends on the type of water pressure applied to the waterproofing of the foundation. It is important to choose the right material to ensure the stability and long-term durability of buildings and structures.
Our cooperation partner Primostar OÜ supplies us with most of the necessary waterproofing materials. We mostly use materials from the German factories Schomburg GmbH and Köster Bauchemie AG for waterproofing the foundations, as well as materials from the construction chemical group BASF.
