Waterproofing – an essential treatment during new building construction and maintenance

Proper design modifications and special construction materials must be used during construction and maintenance, to prevent the problems of leakages and damp walls

- Prof A. S. Khanna, Retd IIT Bombay

One of the well-known defects of the residential buildings is the leaking after a few years of its construction. There are specific leaking points: below the bath rooms, kitchen area, wall having input for water pipelines, waste water etc. I have seen several buildings where this problem is seen right from the second to third year of the construction. The weather and climatic conditions are also responsible. Mumbai type climate with a long monsoon season is also one important factor. Factors such as improper cleaning of sewage lines can also be responsible. But I think all these problems are common, and cannot be fully controlled. Thus, until, a proper design modification and special construction materials are used during construction and maintenance, these problems cannot be stopped. What are these special materials which must be used during initial construction that take care of leaking throughout the life of a structure. These are special 'water proofing' materials.