WATERPROOFING

If your building is constructed above ground Damp proof course will be sufficient to prevent the penetration of dampness into it. But if your house has a basement or space below ground, special care should be taken to prevent dampness coming in. Basements could be made waterproof by three methods.

01. Use of dense monolithic concrete walls and floor.
02. Tanking techniques.
03. Drained cavity system.

Use of dense Monolithic Concrete

In this method dense high quality materials, good workman ship, and attention to design detail and on site construction methods are essential. If all aspects are strictly controlled a sound and waterproof structure could be produced. But always remember these are always not water vapor proof. If it is desirable to make the structure vapor proof some waterproof coating, lining or tanking is needed. The water tightness of dense concrete depends on

1. Water / Cement Ratio.
2. Degree of compaction.

In the Harding process concrete produces heat. To stop your concrete from cracking, you have to keep its temperature stable. The mixture should not contain cement more than needed at the first place as the amount of cement in the concrete contributes to the production of heat. Concrete with a water / cement ratio of 0.5 - 0.6 is water tight, but above that ratio concrete becomes less watertight.

	Joints
	Mastic asphalt tanking
	Internal Mastic Asphalt Tanking
	Drained cavity system

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