Waterproofing Materials in Pakistan: Uses, Features & More

Waterproofing is a necessary part of the construction of houses and buildings. It is one of those essential things that improve the age and durability of a structure by guarding it against harsh weather.

Things like water seepage and leakage cause the structure of the house or a building to weaken, hence creating the need for waterproofing. Just like in other countries, waterproofing materials in Pakistan are also pretty common.

In this blog Graana.com, Pakistan’s smartest property portal has come up with a comprehensive guide to them.

What is Waterproofing?

Through this process, the object remains insulated as water can not pass through its surface. In construction, waterproofing materials are used to prevent particular areas or surfaces that come in frequent contact with water, such as terraces and warehouses.

What type of waterproofing material will be used is completely dependent upon that area. In short, waterproofing is the name of the protective and preventive measures taken by builders to protect that specific area or surface of a building against water.

List of Waterproofing Materials in Pakistan

Now, you must be wondering what ideal materials can be used for waterproofing in a building or a house. Here is a list of waterproofing materials in Pakistan.

• Cement Based Waterproofing
• Bituminous Coating Waterproofing
• Liquid Waterproofing Membrane
• Bitumen Membrane Waterproofing
• Polyurethane Liquid Membrane Waterproofing

Cement Based Waterproofing

One of the most commonly used and easiest waterproofing materials in Pakistan is cement. Owing to its high demand in the industry of construction, you can always find it at the manufacturing companies.

In addition to this, there is another reason for its high demand – versatility. You can simply mix it with water in a certain ratio and apply it to the desired area.

It is frequently used in moist areas inside a house such as toilets and the kitchen. Through this method, you will get a partially or completely waterproof surface.

Following is the list of domestic and commercial places where cement-based waterproofing is used.

• Water treatment plants
• Bridges
• Railway and metro systems
• Dams
• River locks/canals
• Tunnels
• Sea cargo port and docks

Bituminous Coating Waterproofing

As the name suggests it is a type of coating which is used to make the surface of a specific area waterproof. Bituminous coating provides flexible protection in accordance with the degree of formulation and polymerisation.

It is also known as asphalt coating. Areas under the screed are where it is applied most frequently. In general, it provides top-class protection against water and makes the surface as waterproof as a concrete-based surface. Its ability to guard against water can get affected by the polymer class and the reinforcement of fibre.

However, one thing that the homeowners need to keep in mind is that the bituminous coating waterproofing is not recommended for places that are exposed to sunlight.

The reason is that in case it is not remodelled by a relatively more pliable material, for instance acrylic-based polymers, it becomes very flimsy when exposed to the sun.

Liquid Waterproofing Membrane

The liquid waterproofing membrane is a type of lamination coating. It consists of a thin basic layer of primer coat upon which two layers of top coat are applied using the spray method. Sometimes, builders use roller and trowel instead of spray.

It is more supple than cement-based waterproofing, which is why nowadays it seems to be taking the place of the cement-based type.

Bitumen Membrane Waterproofing in Pakistan

Known for its proven durability, this type of method is commonly used to make the low slope rooftops water-resistant. It is a self-adhesive material which means that it sticks and makes a bond with the surface.

Besides the presence of self-adhesive elements, it consists of asphalt, polymer, and filler, a few different varieties of oils and resins might be added to it.

Over time, it might lose its sticking effect, making the membrane have a low shelf life. However, with the passage of time, the bitumen membrane loses its adhesion qualities.

Polyurethane Liquid Membrane Waterproofing in Pakistan

The polyurethane liquid membrane waterproofing method is particularly useful in areas like kitchens, bathrooms, swimming pools, and terraces. This method is relatively more costly as compared to other methods.

It provides high pliability and is quite sensitive to the present humidity content, hence it is essential to carefully assess the moisture content of the concrete slab before applying.

If the surface has any traces of moisture, the membrane might scrape or peel off after some time of application.

Significance of Waterproofing in Pakistan

The reason we use waterproofing materials in construction is because all of these buildings, houses, roads, etc. are subject to degeneration. If we don’t maintain them properly, they will deteriorate eventually. A lot of factors such as water, air, wind and heat play a role in that. Humidity is the worst of them as it can weaken the foundation of any sturdy structure.

Following are some of the factors that make it essential for builders to use waterproofing materials.

• Natural factors
• Fire
• Water
• Wind
• Buildings Collapsing
• Damage caused by theft
• Structural failure in buildings

Top Places that Sell Materials of Waterproofing in Pakistan

Following are some of the top materials that sell waterproofing materials in Pakistan. 

Waterproofing is essential to make buildings, houses, or any other structure water-resistant, as it guards them against weathering or erosion caused by humidity or water.

For more informative blogs, visit Graana blog.