How to waterproof interior floors and walls of a home?

Did you know that the OMS The World Health Organization establishes that Humidity in buildings and homes can cause respiratory infections such as allergies and asthma., among others? Hence the importance of knowing how to waterproof interior floors and walls to avoid these problems.

And humidity is an invisible enemy that we do not realize until it is too late. The effect of humidity is so problematic that Architects and builders consider it the main enemy of construction.

Below, we will tell you about the measures you should take into account when insulating and protecting the interior walls and floors of a house or apartment.

How to waterproof interior floors and walls and why is it so important?

In a previous article we explained to you how to waterproof exterior surfaces such as facades, terraces, swimming pools and building walls and in this post we are going to focus on the interior protection of your home.

And despite having exterior protection, humidity can reach the interior of the house. If this happens, it can cause a real problem for our health.

Keep in mind that molds, microbes and bacteria from humidity greatly affect the health and quality of air in the home.

 It is not just us who say it, it is said by doctors, scientists and other experts in the field. OMS and even more so considering that more than 36 percent of citizens Spaniards suffer from humidity in their homes.

This is normal, as 50 percent of Spanish homes are not well insulated. For this reason, take note and learn how to waterproof the walls and interior surfaces of your house or apartment.

Before starting the process of insulating floors and interior walls, it is essential to determine the type of material and product that we will need.

And is that There are many types of waterproofing from plasticizing additives, corner repairers, and sealants, to cleaners, degreasers and cement removers suitable for all types of surfaces.

For all the above reasons, we must take into account the following:

• Determine the product we are going to need and that it adapts to the material of the surface that we are going to treat. Insulating cementitious surfaces such as concrete is not the same as insulating a brick wall or a floor.
• Evaluate the condition of the surface to be insulated to find out if any repair or rectification is needed.
• Once we know all the above, it is time to choose the type of insulation we will need and calculate the quantities to be used. Once we have all this clear, it is time to begin the isolation process.

How to waterproof an interior and exterior wall? Differences between the two

An exterior wall is more exposed to moisture, water and cold and will therefore suffer and need more insulation than an interior wall.

On the other hand, the use of materials is different in each case. The differences in insulation between an exterior wall and a room wall are several:

• On the outside, a combination of insulation boards that are fixed to the wall, rigid panels, air chambers or polyurethane foam coatings are usually used. That is, The exterior requires work and it is not enough to apply a layer of a product.
• Inside, you can directly apply products to insulate and the repair process is simpler than outside.
• On the other hand, there is the aesthetic issue on the outside: beautiful finishes are limited and many times we must choose the most efficient and thermal alternative, but the least aesthetic.
• Interior insulation must take into account key points such as windows, since they are the weakest elements in the thermal tightness and efficiency of buildings. In other words, Moisture escapes more easily through windows if they are not treated properly.. Here it is not just a matter of painting the edges, the recommendation is to change the windows and if possible choose PVC frames and double insulating opening and closing closures with permeability 4.

Once we know the differences between the interior and the exterior, it is time to waterproof. The process is as follows:

1. Choosing materials and waterproofing to use depending on the wall or surface that we are going to insulate. An important aspect to distinguish is the Product type depending on whether the wall or surface is horizontal or vertical. Another characteristic is whether the wall is exterior or interior, for example, of our Iper waterproofing product only applicable on exterior walls.
2. Clean the surface to be treated and apply a degreaser or cement remover as necessary.
3. Repair leaks and cracks found in the walls. For this purpose, it is advisable to use sealants or hermetic sealants. An example is the product Solust transparent SKU 1067, a powerful watertight concrete and cement sealant with repair functions to cover gaps and cracks. In addition to acting as a sealant, It also acts as a waterproofing agent and offers protection against wear and erosion..
4. Once we have cleaned and repaired the wall or floor it is time to apply the insulating product. It is possible that . It is advisable to read the application instructions and follow the manufacturer's recommendations regarding quantities and concentrations.

Aspects to take into account when waterproofing floors and interiors

The initial phase of waterproofing floors and interiors is to prepare the surface, clean it and repair it with a thermal sealant using a roller.

Then you have to apply the product in several layers. The normal thing is to apply a first layer with the help of a brush or spray gun, covering the entire floor and wall. Once the product dries, you have to apply a second or third layer, as necessary.

Normally, it takes between 10 and 12 hours between coats. Remember to distinguish the type of products depending on whether the surface is exterior or interior. And finally, check the manufacturer's instructions and Check that the insulator is for vertical or horizontal use, since its effect and application is different in each case..

With these recommendations and tips, you now know everything you need to insulate and protect your home. It will be harder for humidity to get into your home and you will enjoy a better quality of life at home!