The world, as we know it, is slowly degrading. Climate change has created a huge impact on our planet, resulting in temperatures rising and natural disasters appearing more frequently than it did in the 90s. Hazards are likely to occur due to this, with heavy rain and flooding being some of the most common.
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While there are fewer human casualties reported nowadays, many of us can’t help but fret over the material possessions that we work so diligently to attain. Particularly, the house that shelters our families and the very things we wish to preserve.
There are many ways we can protect our houses, and consequently ourselves and other possessions, from the hazards of rains and floods. The most notable is making it more resistant to water damage.
People who are forward thinkers have probably taken this into consideration during the construction process by utilizing the cementitious waterproofing method. This is accomplished by mixing a solution to the concrete mixture, resulting in it being impervious to water.
Homeowners who weren’t able to use this method for their own reasons shouldn’t worry too much, though, since there are other ways to protect our homes from external factors.
Home Exterior
If we work from the outside in and down up, the first thing to consider is to have rainscreens installed on the exterior of the home. An aluminum rainscreen, for instance, functions by keeping the installed cladding separate from the actual exterior walls of the home. Hence, the system prevents any water from penetrating the structure.
Roof
As for the roof, the procedure varies depending on what kind of roofing a home has. However, much of the process remains the same. First is to ensure that the roof is free from waste such as dead leaves and branches and that there aren’t any cracks before the membrane is incorporated.
Once the roof is waterproofed, other fixtures such as windows and doors should be checked, as well. Some of us whose houses have fixtures made from wood should remember that these can swell during wet weather. A sealant can work wonders for this type of problem. Moreover, improperly installed doors and windows should be remedied immediately since they can let moisture in.
Basement
Following the exterior is the basement. Digging around the basement to install approved fixtures, as well as checking for cracks in the basement’s structure, are essential to the entire waterproofing process. After everything has been secured, the sealant, membrane, and drainage mats can be incorporated next.
In the process of waterproofing your basement, do remember that using tar or plastic is typically advised against. It’s because tar becomes brittle over time and so, it will crack. Plastic, meanwhile, is expected to peel, inevitably allowing moisture in.
Interior Walls
Don’t forget the interior walls of our home in the waterproofing process. Much like other parts of the house, sealants can be applied just as easily as paint on any surface. Another method available is mostly accessible during renovation or construction. That is, installing a water-resistant drywall.
When all of these procedures are done correctly, we can have peace of mind when the next calamity strikes since we know that we did the best that we can not only in preparing ourselves but our homes, too.
