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Water leakage and concrete expansion are amongst one of the most dreadful woes of every house and building owner across the world. The leakage of water through the walls not only leads to building up of moisture on the walls but also leads to cracks that grow in due course of time and deteriorate the building. So, it is important to address even the smallest of leaks so as to avoid the chances of big cracks and water losses. Likewise, the concrete is likely to develop cracks at the joints which also deteriorates its integrity.
The best way to deal with this is to make use of sealants like a clear waterproof sealant that protects the building by sealing the cracks that develop. Apart from these, there is one other major type of sealant which is the concrete joint sealant that we may use to seal joints in floors and walls made of concrete which is important to ensure that the integrity of concrete remains intact. Understanding the uses and benefits of these two major types of sealants can help in appreciating the importance of sealants for building.
Clear Waterproofing Sealants
It is important to waterproof water containing structures such as water tanks, reservoirs, swimming pools, etc. to ensure that there is no leakage and loss of water. It is important to not only ensure waterproofing by clear waterproof sealant for new buildings but also timely waterproofing for old buildings both internally and externally to ensure their longevity. The application of these waterproofing sealants is wide-ranging and also includes use in below-grade structures like foundations, galleries, basements, and tunnels that sustain high water pressure. The waterproofing of terrace, bathroom, and kitchen in houses and hotels and other such wet rooms in offices and hospitals is yet another important area of application of waterproofing sealants.
Advantages- The use of clear waterproof sealant ensures complete waterproofing by providing a completely flexible coating even in the most severe conditions. Another important advantage that waterproofing sealants bring to the table is that they act as an anti-fracture membrane under the deck and between finishing coats and substrate that also allows the substrate to breathe due to its permeability to water vapour. Also, these sealants are quite easy to use and have excellent adhesion and are chloride free and non-toxic apart from being long-lasting and environment friendly which adds to the long list of advantages.
Concrete Joint Sealants
These sealants are important in protecting the building structure from damage caused by moisture due to wind and rain. These sealants are also made use of in a variety of applications that are mostly outdoors, and most prominent applications include sidewalks, pavements, balconies, factories, and terraces.
Advantages- The use of concrete joint sealant provides many advantages to building owners, the primary being little or no requirement of maintenance due to high durability and weather resistance. They also provide excellent adhesion even on damp surfaces and eliminate the need for any bonding agent. Moreover, they are non-toxic and non-flammable, and easy to apply which makes them a likely choice.
Conclusion
Thus, one can easily infer that sealants improve the ability of the building to prevent or reduce the infiltration of rain, wind, or any other airborne contaminants and thereby protect the building and keep its concrete intact for longer periods of time.
