Do you know why your raincoat or an umbrella saves you from getting wet in torrential rains? That’s thanks to a special material known as polyurethane. This material is crucial for keeping the elements at bay, but what about the polyurethane is so effective when it comes to waterproofing? Let’s take a closer look.
And to understand how Polyurethane waterproofing works, we need to know what it is made of. Polyurethane is a polymer, which is a category of plastic. Polymer is a big word that means it consists of long sections of small bits of matter called molecules. These molecules come from combining two distinct building blocks, a polyol and an isocyanate.
The two parts come together to react with each other and create some foam-like substance. This foam is sprayed onto a surface, such as a roof or a wall. Once its sprayed on, it begins to cure forming an impenetrable barrier against water. When it rains, the water can't get through to the surface below, so it stays protected and dry.
Why Polyurethane Used for Waterproofing is Special
Polyurethane is super flexible which is one of the most awesome things about it. When it cures, it doesn’t turn brittle and crack as easily like some other materials. Instead it remains flexible, allowing it to bend and twist without cracking. That flexibility is particularly crucial for waterproofing.
You see, roofs and walls are materials that can expand and contract as they get hot or cold. They can pick up size when it’s hot and shrink when it’s cold. Being a flexible material, Polyurethane waterproofing coating is able to move with these changes without cracking or even allowing water to penetrate through. It also helps keep everything below dry, even as the weather is fluctuating wildly.
And another characteristic of polyurethane is that it adheres strongly to a wide variety of surfaces. It adheres very well to concrete, metal, wood, and other materials. After being applied to a surface, it creates a durable bond that lasts for a long time. It is this strong bond which creates a water tight barrier that will protect the building.
How Polyurethane Prevents Water from Entering
Having learned how polyurethane works, let’s discuss its important contributions to keeping buildings out of water. A lot of structures are given a lot of water problems. If water seeps where it shouldn’t, it can cause wood to rot, metal to rust and concrete to weaken over time.
Polyurethane waterproofing protects materials from water penetration. This means buildings can be around for much longer and we don’t have to spend so much money on repairs or replacements.
Polyurethane can also help regulate moisture inside a building in addition to keeping waterors at bay. It acts as a vapor barrier, which means it stops too much moisture from getting into the inside. This is beneficial because it can diminish the probability of mold growing or other issues that arise due to excessive moisture.
How a Water-Resistant Barrier is Formed with Polyurethane
But how does this polyurethane create this so amazing, water-resistant barrier? As we said previously, it has specific properties such as flexibility and strong adhesion.
Polyurethane level out on the surface applied it to, giving it a perfect and seamless fit, and a watertight seal. This means there’s no open space for water to sneak through. It also adheres closely to the surface to form a bond that water can rarely penetrate.
Its resistance to sunlight (UV rays), chemicals, and other environmental factors which can degrade other materials over time also makes Polyurethane waterproofing products an excellent choice. This makes polyurethane suitable for outdoor use in structures such as roofing and decking that protect all kinds of weather.
A Simple Summary
To summarize, the polyurethane waterproofing science is a matter of unique chemistry and special properties. Its flexibility and adhesion to almost all surfaces enables it to form a durable and water-proof seal which protects buildings and structures against damage from moisture.
At Yuru, we know that any building project needs effective waterproofing solutions. We use only use the latest in technologies and materials like polyurethane for waterproofing so that we can be sure that we have a waterproof solution on the site that will work, no matter what it is we are trying to achieve. The weather might not be predictable, but with polyurethane we can help keep the buildings our lives happen in safe and dry.
