Avoid ‘Fix It’ Expenses With Waterproofing

Multiple-Layer Systems Can Reduce Risk for Water Damage

When done correctly, waterproofing can extend the life of a floor. However, it is something that is easily forgotten when building or redesigning in a wet environment.

Compared to other aspects of construction, protecting a floor from moisture seems to be a simple process. It can, however, prove difficult — particularly in environments where water is a constant, such as bathrooms, shower rooms and kitchens. But even in areas that are supposedly dry, it is critical that you select the right materials and employ the right techniques to ensure adhesion and long-term success.

A waterproofing system, if done correctly, will prevent leaking, erosion and foundation damage, allowing a long lifetime for the floor. 

In the academic environment, where many of the facilities are older, wood-frame buildings, waterproofing requires extra steps. Waterproofing is a process that may cost a bit more up front, but doing it the right way from the beginning will save your client a great deal of money down the road. By cutting corners to minimize costs, you set yourself up for unnecessary repairs, costing more money and time in the long run.

To avoid the aggravation, time and extra expenses caused by cutting corners or improper waterproofing system installation, there are three major areas to consider when waterproofing floors: products, drainage and maintenance.

Products

A key point to remember is to choose products wisely and never rely on products that say they do it all.

It is best to use a fully encompassing system with multiple layers to ensure there is a backup of the primary waterproofing system. If one layer fails, there is another that will hold until the problem can be corrected.

If you rely on many of today’s flooring/waterproofing all-in-one-systems, you are only providing one layer of coverage and protection. If that layer fails, water goes right to the slab, creating a real problem. If you choose an all-in-one system, consider adding a redundant backup system to protect the slab.

There are several waterproofing products on the market, and every environment calls for different levels of detail. It is also important to consider the compatibility of the products you select. They are, after all, going to be together for a long time. Select your curing and floor adhesive products with this in mind: If they don’t work together from the beginning, they never will.

Epoxy and some sheet flooring material are examples of products that promise a convenient single-process installation, serving as both the finish flooring and waterproofing skin. However, they are not recommended for kitchens or bathrooms because they are unlikely to stand up to the heavy activity that can occur in wet environments.

Drainage

To avoid the possibility of water damage, buildings should have proper drainage, which is often a matter of pitching the floor properly.

A multiple-level system, in conjunction with a pitch plan mapped out early in the project to accommodate equipment, curbs and other obstacles, is recommended. In addition to allowing for proper setting time, this assures there will be no standing puddles to erode the flooring or cause sanitary issues and/or slippage accidents.

For shower rooms, multiple-piece shower enclosures or flexible materials can eventually lead to caulking or equipment failures and leaks. A typical waterproofing mud set and tile setting is ideal for shower rooms. However, since this is not always possible due to the positioning of the plumbing, using a one-piece unit and ensuring a continuous waterproofing barrier beneath and behind is critical to long-term success.

Maintenance

Routine maintenance will allow a waterproofing system to last its entire lifespan, but too often it is ignored. Shower stalls, bathrooms, kitchens and other wet areas are often subjected to a power-wash hose down, which may save the cleaning crew time but it is highly destructive to flooring and other finishes.

Grout and sealants can also be compromised if chemical cleaning products are not neutralized properly. It may take a few years, but the floor will fail. I have walked into many commercial kitchens where the floor failed after a year of being washed down with cleaning chemicals that had too high of a pH level.

Taking added steps to reduce the moisture in the air can greatly impact a floor’s lifespan. Ventilation in shower rooms and bathrooms allows excess moisture to escape. Without an exhaust, the extra moisture remains in the room, eventually leading to mold and other moisture-related problems.

Bottom line: Although there are upfront costs, a tested, multi-level waterproofing system will save you more than any single system.

John Fuccione is the director of the project services division of Shawmut Design and Construction, a Boston-based construction management firm.