Waterproofing Your Walls – All You Need To Know

Water seepage, due to a weak roof or leaking pipes, can do much worse than damaging your walls. The prolonged dampness can lead to the build-up of mould, mildew and germs. This, in turn, can lead to allergies, respiratory problems and other ailments for you and your family. In the worst case, it could lead to the entire structure being weakened. Plus, you don’t want to come home to a musty-smelling house. So, waterproofing your

When Do You Need Waterproofing?

If you see paint peeling, bubbling or cracks appearing on the wall, it is a sure sign that you need waterproofing. The best time to get waterproofing done is at the time of construction. However, some amount of maintenance will be required over the years. Especially designed impermeable coatings and cement backer boards are available for use at the time of repair and renovation of a building. The earlier you get waterproofing done, the better it is, since it ensures less damage to the walls and lowers the costs involved in rectifying problems. You can always check a waterproofing guide to know more about indications that your home needs expert solutions.

Waterproofing during construction involves the preparation of a proper concrete mixture that includes liquid waterproofing compounds capable of reducing moisture absorption.  Special tiling solutions, like adhesives and grouts, can also be used during the construction stage. However, if you are looking for waterproofing some years after construction, you should get all the surfaces checked for any kind of seepage or cracks. Follow this up with the inclusion of roof waterproofing in your painting and renovation project.

You can rest assured with Berger Paints’ scientific waterproofing solutions, which ensure that only the best products and latest techniques are used for best results.

Benefits of Waterproofing Your Home

With roof waterproofing,  you can be assured of the good health of your walls for a long time to come. Some of the other benefits of a good waterproofing solution are:

• Fewer chances of cracks developing on concrete walls and floors
• Prevention of seepage in the walls and ceilings
• Lower maintenance costs for your home 
• Lower risk of corrosion of walls and metal surfaces
• Improved resale value of your property
• A healthy environment that promotes the good health of the occupants.

Steps in Waterproofing

Waterproofing is a must for keeping your house dry and hygienic. It helps reduce the humidity and prevents damage caused by seepage. 

• Identify the Problem Areas

The first step is to identify the problem areas or walls that are constantly exposed to rainwater. This can be tricky and time consuming. It’s best to leave this to our experts who will conduct an on-site inspection to identify the root cause of leakage and moisture by using tools like Home Shield Moisture Meter. The meter can easily detect trapped moisture in the ceilings, walls and floors, regardless of whether the dampness is due to rainwater, a leaking rood or underground seepage. Based on the extent of damage and the type of problem, the professionals will recommend the use of scientific wall and roof waterproofing solutions. Commonly used waterproof solutions include concrete coatings or silicate-based concrete sealers for unpainted walls, wall membrane treatments like primers. 

• Rectify the Cause of Dampness

Many a times, the seepage is not because of rain but a result of faulty pipes or cracks in the exterior facing walls. So, identifying the exact cause of the moisture is crucial. A leaking pipe needs to be replaced or repaired, while cracks in the walls need to be filled in by good quality fillers and putty to prevent the recurrence of the problem. In case the dampness is due to problems with waterproofing on your roof, products like Berger PU RoofKoat can help. This is an environmentally friendly waterproofing compound that will protect the roof by forming an elastic and UV resistant membrane on the cement surface. This coat is also effective for exterior walls. It should be applied before painting the walls.

• Prepare the Surfaces for Waterproofing

Any surface that requires waterproofing needs to be prepared first. This includes rectifying the cause of leakage or seepage, as well as sanding rough and uneven patches for a smooth finish. Another important step is to remove dust from the area to be waterproofed. This ensures that the waterproofing solutions stick to the surface and offer the best protection.

• Application of the Waterproofing Solution

The next important step is to apply the waterproofing paint using a roller, brush or spray. The experienced team at Berger Paints can advise you about the most suitable products and the number of coats required to protect the surfaces from moisture. All our products come with warranties, so that you have complete peace of mind. Our trained team of painting professionals are well-versed in scientific waterproofing solutions, based on proven methods. They also know the right techniques, like how much time needs to be given between each coat, so that the solution dries properly.

They follow all the safety protocols to prevent infection from spreading and ensure to clean up and disinfect your home once they are done.

Waterproofing the Floors

While cracks and dampness on the walls and ceilings remind us to get waterproofing done, we often overlook the floors. With tiles, marble and other types of flooring, the accumulation of moisture doesn’t easily show up. An inspection by experienced professionals is the best way to check for any underlying issues. The Berger team is adept at working with all types of substrates and flooring. We use high-quality adhesives to fix marble and natural stone floors, as well as vitrified and non-vitrified tiles. Internal wet areas of your home, such as the bathrooms and swimming pool can also be taken care of with scientific tiling solutions. Exterior walls with stone façades will also be inspected and rectified, if required.

Waterproofing the Basement

Basements are the most common problem areas, since they tend to accumulate standing water, leading to mould and mildew growth. Therefore, apart from the bathroom, water tanks and other areas that are prone to dampness, the basement also needs special treatment. For instance, Berger Homeshield Dampstop is specially designed to ensure a strong and flexible waterproof coating. Made of high-performance polymer, it also contains special additives that work via Crystallin technology to offer the highest level of protection.

Once the waterproofing is taken care of, you can choose paints like Berger’s WeatherCoat Glow for your exterior walls. This 100% acrylic emulsion protects your exterior walls from the effects of heavy rain, while giving it a rich sheen finish that enhances the beauty of your home. With our superior quality products and professional painters at your service, you can enjoy a beautiful home for years to come.