The processes carried out to ensure long-lasting comfort and durability for buildings by preventing water leakages outside and inside, as well as at their foundation and roofs are called "waterproofing". Water is the primary hazard that affects lifespan and durability of buildings. Water leaking into buildings causes corrosion in the reinforcement of the body and bearing parts, thus reducing their load-carrying capacity. It leads to deteriorations in the entire main bearing systems of buildings, which in turn results in cracks and fractures in the smallest ground motions and earthquakes. Water leakages in buildings causes formation of mold, fungus, efflorescence and other organic materials, becoming a risk for the building and human health. There is an old Turkish saying; "Humidity destroys a wall; grief destroys a man." But since waterproofing in buildings has not become a legal obligation, the prevalent opinion in our country, which is located in an active seismic zone, is that human life does not get the attention it deserves. Buildings are exposed to water due to rain, snow, dew, groundwater, indoor utility water (water leakages in wet areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, toilets) and the pressurized and unpressurized groundwaters in the soil upon which the building has been erected. This takes away the comfort of living while gradually posing a threat to the building. Both in our country and around the world, waterproofing sector, which focuses its efforts on production and research to prevent water leaks in buildings, has made great leaps in terms of know-how and technology.
What are the Benefits of Waterproofing?
1- Waterproofing Protects Buildings Damage on buildings caused by water is one of the major hazards to safety of life and property, particularly in earthquake risk areas. Water, which somehow find its way into building reinforcement, triggers chemical reactions that lead to the corrosion of the reinforcement. This, in turn, will lead to impaired bearing capacity and have a negative impact on the building's life span.
The damage water causes on the durability of our buildings is usually not visible to the naked eye; we only notice its consequences. It is almost impossible for a corroded building to withstand a major earthquake. So, for earthquake-prone countries like Turkey, waterproofing is absolutely crucial. The harmful effects of corrosion Concrete mostly protects the reinforcement that is embedded in it against corrosion. Once the reinforcement is completely embedded in concrete, the emerging thin layer sticks to the steel, providing resistance against corrosion. This resistance is directly related to the highly alkaline environment of concrete and electrical resistivity. Ions within the moisture in the capillary voids of the concrete play a role in electrical conductivity.
At a rate depending on the atmospheric conditions, iron oxide formations occur on the surface of the reinforcement, which are 2.5 times the size of the reinforcement volume. The resulting rust, along with a possibly insufficient depth of concrete cover, leads to cracks in the existing concrete. With the crumbling of the concrete, the reinforcement becomes apparent. The increase in the corrosion rate becomes inevitable due to contact with air. The loss in the concrete section due to corrosion causes the reinforcement to fail to meet the initially designed calculation values.
2- Waterproofing Provides Comfort to Human Life As much as water is indispensable for humanity, it is also an element that we must protect our buildings against. Humidity in the soil and unpressurized water pass through the pores in the structural member, leading to the growth of organisms such as mold, black spot and fungus. This subsequently leads to rotting in the natural materials such as wood, plasters to swell and crumble, and rusting of the reinforcements in the colons and shear walls, thus causing our discomfort. Humidity and humidity related mold causes unpleasant odors in buildings. The odor emanating from the mold will irritate the residents of the building. Preventing humidity by means of waterproofing eliminates the possibility of such unpleasant odors that causes an inconvenience for human comfort.
Waterproofing ensures comfortable buildings by preventing water from impairing their durability, and prevents growth of organisms such as bacteria, mold etc. 3- Waterproofing Contributes to Economy
With their increasing economic value nowadays, buildings need to be durable. Today, the expected life span of a building is about 50 years. The adverse effects of water reduce the lifespan of buildings, which in turn poses a substantial loss for both the country and the individual. Waterproofing eliminates such loss.
92% of our country surface area and 95% of its population is located on a seismic belt. According to the data form the Ministry of Public Works and Settlement, as a result of the earthquakes that took place in the last 58 years; 58,202 people lost their lives, 122,096 citizens were injured and some 411,465 buildings were destroyed or severely damaged.
According to a news article published in Dünya newspaper; Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Damage Assessment Committee report stated that the inspections carried out on 55,651 buildings and workplaces revealed 79% of said buildings to be damaged. As for the deficiencies detected in the inspected buildings, %64 had humidity related corrosion (rusting), 41% had insufficient material use, %18 concrete watering at construction stage, 11% had wear and tear, and 3% had project errors. The cost of waterproofing during construction stage is a meager %3 percent of the total cost of building. Building durability is the most important factor that should be taken into account in terms of the safety of human life. Therefore, the benefits of waterproofing greatly outweigh the cost.
Waterproofing carried out on the building will prevent the construction iron used in the bearing parts from rusting and impaired load-carrying capacity, as well as boosting the building's resistance to earthquakes. In buildings, waterproofing;
- Prevents bacteria and mold growth,
- Ensures a healthy, comfortable and safe environment by preventing water from trickling through roofs or ceilings and flooding basements,
- Reduces building maintenance costs,
- Prevents water leakages from occurring in water reservoirs and preserves water quality. WATERPROOFING APPLICATION AREAS: For an effective waterproofing, proofing application must cover all constructional elements from the foundation to the rooftop of the building.
Waterproofing is applied to;
- Walls, foundations and floor coverings that are in contact with soil, exterior walls that are below the level where water may accumulate outside the building or cause flooding, balconies, terraces and inclined roofs,
- Bathtubs, washbasins, wet places such as kitchens and bathrooms,
- Structures such as water reservoirs, artificial ponds and pools that are meant to remain submerged.