Paint those water marks away

While this ongoing weather is good for cleaning  the air of pollutants,  the heavy rains could create problems for home owners when it leads to damp walls, cracks on ceilings and walls.

These conditions could pose serious health risks since dampness and cracks lead to  the growth of fungus, moulds and algae, making the home unhygienic and uninhabitable, Dr Sanjay Bahadur, the Global CEO of Dr Fixit waterproofing paints manufacturer, Construction Chemicals, told DN2.

Some of the possible health problems that could result from dampness are allergic reactions, asthma, irritation of the nose, eyes and throat and  respiratory ailments like bronchitis.

Besides, leakages are not only unsightly, but can destroy the things inside the house such as   furniture and fittings, creating an embarrassing  eyesore.

“If all the areas of the house are taken care of, right from the foundation to the roof, there will be delayed deterioration. Remember prevention is always better than cure since curing a problem tends to be more and more tedious than the preventive measures that can be taken.

Apart from cost, a damp leaky structure is more susceptible to collapsing even without a flood-like situation, thus endangering many lives,” said Dr Bahadur.

He noted that these problems can be avoided with the use of waterproof paint, especially by paying attention to the following areas. 

THE TERRACE

The terrace is the first place that is likely to let the rain into your home. Even if you are living on the lower floors of an apartment building, a leak in the terrace can find its way into your home.

So it is making it prudent to inspect the terrace and deal wit possible leakage sources, advised Dr Bahadur.

A poorly waterproofed terrace could lead to damp patches on the ceiling.

Some of the trouble areas include cracks terrace,  gaps, the growth of plants and weeds, damaged or loose tiles, and debris blocking the outflow pipes. All these can make your house leak so they need to be corrected. 

Dr Bahadur said waterproof paints can be used to keep the hazardous effects of rainfall at bay, citing   Dr Fixit Newcoat, a type of paint that does not require breaking the terrace surface to waterproof it.

CRACKS AND DAMP PATCHES ON INTERNAL WALLS

The first sign of water ingress is often the appearance of damp patches on walls, said Dr Buhadur. This is often accompanied by peeling paint and cracks on the plastered brick walls.

In fact, the long-term effect of water penetration is damage to the health of your internal walls.

“While simply painting your home can give you temporary relief and beautify your walls, eventually, the damp patches will reappear. This is because ordinary paints are not designed to  cope with  dampness. Damp walls need waterproofing treatment,” says Dr Bahadur.

If this is the problem you are facing, get in touch with a consultant who can help you get paints  that have specially designed polymers that react with cement and bricks to seal the walls effectively, so that you can say goodbye to the damp patches.

BASEMENT

For starters, a home basement consists of beams and columns, a retaining wall and ground-level concrete plinth. These structures are below the ground level and are in constant contact with soil and water. Since concrete is permeable, Dr Bahadur says, the ground water and salts attack the concrete and can corrode the steel.

An increase or reduction in that water level l damages the  structure. So  waterproofing your basement with specially made paints is extremely important to protect it from the vagaries of the weather. 

EXTERNAL WALLS

The external walls are directly affected by climatic changes. During stormy weather, the rains lash down with  force and, because they are accompanied by strong winds, they are bound to take a toll on your building’s external walls.

If this happens frequently,  check to see if the paint is peeling off or has become patchy.

Cracks in the exterior walls or plants growing out of the walls serve as an easy conduit for water.

Also, don’t neglect the area around the window frames, parapets and balconies.

This is because they are prone to hairline cracks, so hence it’s important to check for separation gaps and get these sealed before the rainy season begins .

“So if you are planning to get the exterior walls of your home painted  make sure that you have waterproofed them first. Secondly, get all the cracks filled and use a good exterior ‘raincoat’ to ensure that the exterior walls are protected from the lashing rains,” said Mr Bahadur says.

“Go for high-performance coating acrylic elastomeric waterproof coating specially designed for external walls, a good example is Dr Fixit Raincoat 2 in 1. It bridges the cracks and thus prevents the seepage of water from the exterior walls to the interior of the building,” he said.

PREVENTION DURING CONSTRUCTION

While there are many advanced solutions one can use to take care of their leaking home, the best time to waterproof your home is when it’s on the drawing board!

Dr Bahadur said:  “Home waterproofing should be done during the planning. Home owners across the world are adopting waterproofing to protect their home against leakage and dampness.

And they do this by  using specific additives which, when added to cement, acts as a “tonic for cement” and improves the strength and durability of the structure, making it more durable. 

Besides structural waterproofing, ensure waterproofing of all key areas in your home like the bathroom, kitchen, roof, external wall and water tank area.