02 Feb Building Smart: Using Water Resistant Materials
Photo by: Dez Thompson
Building Smart: Using Water Resistant Materials
If you live in an area where weather brings a lot of water, or the moisture content in the air is high, you may need to take preventative measures against flooding. Even if you don’t live in a high risk area, taking proper precautions will help give you peace of mind, and insure that your property will be able repaired as easily as possible in the event of a flooding incident. One of the many things you can do when building or repairing a property, is to use water resistant or waterproof building materials. This will help you in the long run in case of a flood, as well as during the everyday events that bring moisture into our homes.
New technologies and techniques are bringing us more advanced materials on a regular basis. Almost every area in your home can benefit from products that are more water resistant. Be sure to check that the materials being used are not only water resistant, but also lend themselves to drying quickly.
- Flooring: Using non-porous stones and materials, as well as applying a proper sealant to any stones or tiles will keep them dry. When using wood, the harder the wood the better. Waterproof adhesives and glues are also available.
- Walls: Heavy, non-porous materials are best, with coatings that resist erosion, as well as non-corrosive materials to be used on the outside of your home. Water-resistant paint is also available for interior and exterior projects.
- Furniture: Most plastic and glass materials are waterproof. Use heavy, high quality wood materials as opposed to thin composite or particleboard. Laminate surfaces tend to separate easily when exposed to moisture.
Most contractors will be able to help you make the right choices when building to incorporate water resistant materials into your plans. When the right materials are used, a major flood can be brought down to a minor problem.
Source: Extension
