Does your basement get wet when it rains? Are puddles pooling on your foundation? A damp basement or leaky foundation can cause mold, mildew, and damage. As per the experts like Industrial Supplies, the solution may be installing a sheet membrane to waterproof the area. Sheet membranes create a protective barrier to stop water intrusion. Read on to learn how homeowners can use tsheet waterproofing products to waterproof their property.
What Are Sheet Membranes?
Sheet membranes, also called sheet waterproofing, are thin, dense rubberized asphalt sheets. They create a thick, water-repellent barrier when adhered to foundations, basement walls, decks, and other surfaces.
Sheet membrane material is extremely water-resistant but still allows some vapor to pass through. This prevents moisture from accumulating behind the membrane. Popular brand names include Grace Ice & Water Shield, Polyguard 650, and Carlisle CCW-705.
Sheet membranes come in long rolls of varying widths, typically 3 feet wide or less. Custom widths are also available. The rolls are unrolled as needed and stuck to surfaces with adhesive. Multiple sheets can be overlapped and sealed to cover large areas.
Where Are Sheet Membranes Used?
There are many excellent uses for sheet waterproofing around homes:
- Basement foundations – Apply sheets to the exterior before backfilling soil to prevent wet basements.
- Basement floor slabs – Install beneath flooring as a moisture barrier layer.
- Bathrooms and laundries – Use as a subsurface barrier under tile floors and walls.
- Decks and patios – Protect underlying wood from rain and snowmelt.
- Roofing projects – Use as an underlayment beneath shingles, shook, and other roof coverings.Ponds and fountains – Line the structures before filling with water.
- Planter boxes – Add a layer beneath soil to keep wooden boxes dry.
Anywhere you want an extra water barrier, sheet membranes do the job. They protect against both liquid water and water vapor penetration.
Installing Sheet Membrane Waterproofing
Installing sheet membranes takes a few simple steps. Here is a basic application process:
- Clean and prepare the surface. Remove any dirt, oils, salts or old coatings so the membrane adheres properly. Smooth rough areas. Fill divots and cracks with sealant.
- Apply primer to the surface. Priming improves adhesion. Allow the primer to dry per product directions.
- Measure and pre-cut sheets to size as needed. Plan overlaps of 2-6 inches between adjoining sheets.
- Peel off the sheet’s release paper to expose the adhesive backing. Carefully press the sticky side flat against the surface. Smooth out any air pockets or wrinkles.
- Overlap seams of adjacent sheets by several inches, peeling off the release paper as you work. Seal the seams by pressing and rolling.
- Apply termination bars or mastic sealant along the top edge for a watertight seal. Cover fastener heads with mastic or an extra membrane piece.
- Inspect the installation to ensure full adhesion and complete coverage with no gaps ormissed spots.
- Proceed with the project, such as adding flooring or backfilling soil. Avoid damaging the membrane during this process.
Be sure to follow individual product application guidelines. Get the sheets adhered tightly with no openings for water intrusion.
Advantages of Sheet Membranes
Why choose sheets over other basement waterproofing methods? Sheet membranes offer great benefits:
- Cost-effective compared to some other approaches
- Super adhesive backing bonds sheets tightly to surfaces
- Flexible material easily covers curved or angled areas
- Thin profile doesn’t take up much space
- Long rolls make covering large expanses simple
- Can be applied by handy homeowners using basic tools
Sheet waterproofing delivers reliable leakage protection for basement foundations, slab floors, bathrooms, decks, and more. With proper installation, the sheets form a formidable moisture barrier that lasts for decades. They provide homeowners an affordable way to keep their properties dry and protected.
Conclusion
Coping with a wet basement or leaky deck? Call your local building supply store to learn more about sheet waterproofing products. The helpful rubberized asphalt sheets can quickly seal out excessive water on all types of projects for drier, longer-lasting results.