When designing a building, it is necessary to consider various factors contributing to a reliable structure. The same principles apply to underground structures as to above-ground buildings, but in addition, the depth of the underground structure and various factors such as water pressure and soil load must be taken into account.
Over the past 20+ years, we have seen many solutions. Below we outline the main mistakes in waterproofing and how to avoid them.
The three main mistakes made when waterproofing underground concrete structures:
- Not thinking or planning the waterproofing as a comprehensive solution.
- Not consulting with field experts before or during the design process.
- Choosing cheaper and less reliable solutions over slightly more expensive and long-term reliable ones.
The most important thing is to approach below-grade waterproofing as a comprehensive solution. While it may be a small part of the entire building, it is an essential part that should be carefully considered. Suppose something is overlooked in the above-ground part of the building. In that case, it can usually be fixed more easily than the underground structure, where mistakes may only become apparent over time or even years when fixing them is already expensive and time-consuming.
When planning a waterproofing system - especially for new solutions, we recommend turning to us as an expert that can be trusted. Being in the market for 20+ years, we have acquired enough experience with most of the solutions on the market. In addition, we install the same waterproofing materials daily and repair various leaks. This exposure gives us a deeper understanding of the root causes of leaks and how to prevent and resolve them. Furthermore, by supplying the largest builders in the Baltics, we have enough competence to help develop a reliable and long-lasting waterproofing solution.
The sooner we involve our engineer, the easier it is to make changes to the project. An expert can guide to solutions that are reliable and used on a daily basis.
The price is an important bottleneck in material procurement, which often leads to forgetting to consider a comprehensive and reliable solution that helps waterproof the underground structure for decades. A good material supplier thinks along and is willing to guide towards a better solution if it works better in the long run. Carefully thought-out underground waterproofing solutions can last for 100 years without needing repairs.
In Conclusion
When starting the design of a building, we recommend first taking the whole underground part of the building as a whole - this way. It is easier to think through all the critical nodes that need waterproofing. If some places are more challenging, ask for advice from an engineer who deals with the field daily and can guide you to the correct implementation. This way, you avoid mistakes and save on significant expenses later.
When asking us for an offer for an underground structure, be as precise as possible based on the design of the structure and the purpose of use. That way, you will get an offer that exactly meets your expectations.
And most importantly, it is not always the price that makes the decisive point but rather the solution, materials, and partner. After all, we want a reliable solution that will last and a responsive partner you can rely on if something goes wrong.