Many people are familiar with concrete; it is applied to roads and driveways, and many people in a somewhat modern trend have incorporated it into their homes as part of the décor.
It is a very hardy and durable material, but it is not without its flaws. It can act as a sponge for water that is in the surrounding soil, which, as a result, can cause issues with dampness in walls and flooring.
This means that if you are looking to build an extension on your home or lay concrete flooring in your garage, you will need to consider applying a waterproofing membrane to ensure all that hard work is not in vain!
Here are some other advantages of ensuring that you lay down some waterproofing with your concrete structure.
Prevents Reinforcement Rusting
Even a simple wall that has a layer of concrete on its exterior will have some kind of reinforcement. Insulated concrete forms or ICF forms are somewhat notorious for attracting water if they are left unprotected, which means that any reinforcement that is built into the wall is at a higher risk of rusting. You don’t need to be an expert in building to realize why that might be a problem! If the reinforcement rusts, then the wall is not supported and is at a greater risk of falling, causing structural damage and even injury. So, be sure to put in that waterproof membrane.
Reduces Maintenance Cost
Suppose you are looking to rebuild a wall in a residential unit that has become damaged. That is a hefty cost, and you will most likely be looking for ways to prevent having to fork out that kind of money again. By putting in some waterproof membranes, you can reduce the overall maintenance costs that will occur in the future. By putting the membranes in, you will reduce the likelihood of dampness and will prevent the reinforcement and surrounding structures from also becoming weakened.
Increase In Value
Assume that you own your home and want to build an extension onto it. This can either increase or decrease the value of the property based on how attractive it is, how insulated it is, and of course, how effective it is at keeping the surrounding property intact. By laying down waterproof membranes as part of the concrete-based rebuild, you will increase the value of your property, as no one wants to purchase a home that can suck up water and has issues with water leakage!
Prevents Damp
There is a reason why so many people hate damp. Not only does it make the environment feel colder, but it also looks awful and is associated with upper respiratory infections. So, if you can prevent dampness in your building or home by laying down some membranes, why wouldn’t you? If you are a landlord, having these membranes in place can also allow you to charge a bit more in rent too.
Easy To Apply!
It is not difficult to apply a waterproof membrane; you will likely find it harder to lay the cement smoothly. So, with this in mind, it is a simple task that can save hassle and money, making it an easy and great investment.