When buying a house, we are often attracted by the enticing offers of a ground-floor yard or a loft with an attached terrace that comes with it. However, the waterproofing and moisture issues associated with ground-floor and top-floor properties are challenges that require serious consideration. So, if you are the owner of a ground-floor or top-floor property, it's even more important to pay attention to waterproofing and moisture prevention.
Let's first focus on the waterproofing issues of top-floor properties:
- 1. Terrace-type Top Floors:
The waterproofing layer should extend from the ground to the walls, with a height exceeding 250 mm and a thickness of no less than 1.5 mm. Materials like asphalt sheets and waterproof coatings should be used to prevent UV damage to the waterproofing layer. Additional waterproof reinforcement is needed for detailed areas such as corners.During construction, it is recommended to first apply the waterproofing layer, followed by insulation treatment, and finally the concrete layer.
- 2. Loft-type Top Floors:
Roofs and surroundings of loft-style top floors are vulnerable to rainwater erosion. Therefore, waterproofing is crucial, and ensuring the waterproofing of the roof and walls is essential. After completing the waterproofing, a water sprinkler test should be conducted to ensure there are no leakage issues.The waterproofing and sealing of loft windows are particularly important, as they can easily lead to leakage during rainy days.Of course, you might wonder if redoing waterproofing is troublesome. The answer is actually that you can choose not to do it! If no modifications were made to the top floor during renovation, any future leakage issues would be the responsibility of the developer, who will be responsible for repairs. However, in my opinion, whether repairs are done or not is not the most important issue, as living in a house with leakage problems can be very bothersome. Therefore, if conditions permit, I recommend considering a thorough waterproofing treatment.
Now, let's take a look at the waterproofing issues of ground-floor properties:
- 1.Indoor Waterproofing:
For houses without an elevated ground floor, there may be a significant amount of moisture due to rainwater and groundwater, especially considering the lower elevation and poorer lighting and ventilation conditions of ground floors. Therefore, it's advisable to carry out comprehensive waterproofing treatment for the entire house to effectively address moisture issues. Additionally, it's best to tile the entire indoor space to prevent damage to wooden flooring from moisture.
- 2.Courtyard Waterproofing:
If a ground-floor property includes a yard, that's certainly a great feature. However, ground-floor yards tend to accumulate moisture, so proper waterproofing is necessary, especially for sunken courtyards.Therefore, for those who have purchased ground-floor or top-floor properties, it's crucial to pay attention to waterproofing and moisture prevention issues."
