Home leakage is a consistent problem for any homeowner. Specifically, issues with ceiling and roof leakages have become massive headaches for house owners and contractors equally. The reason is that it is hard to find a waterproofing solution that would provide long-lasting results, especially for an area of the infrastructure that is exposed to various elements.
In recent years, many types of ceiling and roof waterproofing solutions have popped up in the market in Singapore. However, most of these cannot address the problems most homeowners are trying to find answers for. It might also be the case that these waterproofing solutions might solve one issue but miss out or cause another issue.
For one, having water seep into the house would not look great in the interior. Some of the aesthetic issues that are caused by excessive moisture include paint peel-off, paint bubbling or blisters, fungus formation, formation of mould and mildew, and efflorescence (white or greyish crystalline deposit of salts). More importantly, water leakage can lead to major damage to the home’s infrastructure such as weakening of the structure of concrete building materials caused by ASR (alkali-silica reaction), acid rain, and sulphate attack.
Why is Ceiling and Roof Leakage Common?
A reason why your home- or any infrastructure for that matter- is vulnerable to such issues is because of the porous surfaces of its building materials. Moreover, most of these materials contain surface hydroxyl groups, which attracts water. In other words, water can easily seep through the pores and get absorbed by the cementitious building material.
In contrast, most ceiling and roof waterproofing materials cannot permeate through these porous surfaces. The size of water molecules is 0.18 nm, making it easy to leak through most building materials. Also, pollutants like acids, chlorides, and sulphates are between 1 nm to 2nm. The pore size in most cementitious building materials usually ranges from 5 nm to 200 nm (nanometre). Even denser concrete and stones have pores that are larger than water and pollutive chemicals to soak within these materials.
There are two common types of waterproofing materials: film formers and penetrants/repellents.
Film-Forming Products
Film-forming products like acrylic paint and silicon polymers are popular waterproofing materials due to their ease of application. However, these film formers are greater than 100 nm in particle size, making it difficult to penetrate within pores of building materials. Instead, as the name suggests, it forms a film that covers the surface from water absorption. With that said, non-reactive penetrants are hard to apply a continuous film on rough surfaces, leading to weak points in the film where water can still seep through. Moreover, most polymer films break down under UV exposure, which leads to cracking within two to five years. This makes it harder for film-forming products to be water-resistant for the long run.
Penetrants or Repellents
On the other hand, penetrants or repellents are solvent-based, low viscosity materials. These materials are less than 6 nm, making them easy to seep through porous surfaces. Penetrants or repellents can further be categorised as either non-reactive or reactive.
Non-reactive penetrants are oils that coat pores of surfaces, providing water resistance. Although, these materials lose their water repellent qualities within a year. It is also biodegradable, providing food for the growth of moulds and fungi on surfaces, which then extend within the pores.
Reactive penetrants provide molecular level water resistance 3 nm to 5 nm deep into the surface, creating a longer period of protection against water leakage. It is also chemically bound to the surface, which makes it more resistant to other elements like UV exposure and natural abrasion.
Nano Waterproofing in Singapore
Nano Waterproofing is one of the latest ceiling and roof waterproofing services in Singapore. It is a liquid-based formulation waterproofing and surface protection for different types of surfaces.
Unlike traditional waterproofing coats, it has a viscosity of 4 nm to 6 nm, which is similar to water. As a result, nano waterproofing can penetrate small cracks and spaces without clogging the porous surface, rather than just creating a film over it like elastomer or polymer. This product essentially becomes a part of the building material, creating a more durable coating against rain, pollutive elements, fungi formation, or other leakages. Contrarily, film-forming products tend to weaken over time.
Nano waterproofing is a choice for many homeowners in Singapore because of its multiple advantages.
No Need for Hacking
As established, the viscosity of the product allows it to seep through small pores of building materials. So, there is no need to hack through walls or ceilings just to apply the coating materials. It saves effort, time, and cost for waterproofing. Also, it can be applied to different rooms of the home such as the bathroom, balcony, or concrete roof as it does not involve hammering or drilling noises.
Instant Long-Lasting Results
As the process of hacking and reconciling has been removed, the process of nano waterproofing takes a shorter time. Thus, you can get the results faster if done properly. Also, as the product permeates into the building materials itself, it is less vulnerable to damage caused by rain and other environmental elements. As a result, it gives protection from leakage for a longer time.
Protects Aesthetic and Structural Qualities
It is important to choose a waterproofing coating that lets moisture escape porous surfaces. With nano waterproofing, it does not allow fluids to seep through the home’s surface. At the same time, it allows these fluids to evaporate instead of trapping them in, which is the tendency with film-forming products. This prevents aesthetic issues such as swelling, cracking, and warping, as well as internal damage that may be caused by excess moisture.
Furthermore, nano waterproofing is highly UV-resistant, reducing the “yellowing” effect on surfaces that tends to happen under lengthy exposure to sunlight.
Because the nanoparticles are extremely small- almost invisible to the naked eye- nano waterproofing coatings do not affect the surfaces in terms of colour, texture, and surface quality.
Eco-friendly
Nano waterproofing is endorsed by the Singapore Green Labelling Scheme (SGLS), one of Southeast Asia’s most established environmental standards. It is non-toxic and odour-free; it doesn’t emit harmful smells that linger during and after drying time, which may cause problems to the homeowner’s health.
Easy Application
Nano waterproofing can be applied with a brush or spray. There is also no need for dilution during the application. It is also faster to dry, even in ambient temperatures. More importantly, it can be applied to a wide range of surfaces including concrete, wood, and marble.
With the help of a highly-skilled team, the whole process can take no longer than a day, especially with on-site visits.
M3M: “The Leakage Expert”
M3 Multiservices Pte Ltd is one of the leading waterproofing service contractors in Singapore. For 9 years, the company has built a strong clientele through their excellent waterproofing services, using advanced and innovative technologies. M3M also offers on-site analysis to figure out the solutions that will best suit the needs of your property.
M3M offers a full range of waterproofing procedures such as waterproofing for RC flat roofs, pitched roofs, fixed roof awnings, open balconies, wet areas (i.e. kitchens and bathrooms), as well as walls and basements.
Aside from waterproofing, the company also offers other services such as painting and coating, minor works in construction, and other general contract work, to ensure that ceiling leaks will not be a problem for a long time. M3M is a reliable waterproofing company that delivers high-quality service every time.