Video on How to Waterproof Roof, Fountain, and Roof Garden

In the links below, you can watch videos recommended by Titan experts for effective waterproofing of bathrooms, roofs, and roof gardens using the Stop Leak waterproofing membrane. https://nanotitanco.com/page/roofgardenvid https://nanotitanco.com/page/wcvid 1- Roof Waterproofing: Waterproofing the roof is one of the most common types of waterproofing performed in buildings. Although there is generally no negative water pressure on roofs, due to the direct contact of this part with the atmosphere, paying attention to the climate of each region and having a correct understanding of its changes in selecting the type, method of application, and durability of the membrane is very important. How to Waterproof the Roof? Roof waterproofing is one of the most common types of waterproofing in the construction industry and is commonly done with bitumen-based membranes. Bitumen sheets and asphalt rolls are among the most common membranes used to waterproof roof surfaces. Just as with technological advancements, asphalt replaced bitumen sheets; nowadays, with advancing technology, new mainly polymeric membranes are replacing asphalt rolls by addressing their deficiencies. Choosing the right membrane for the roof is one of the key steps in roof waterproofing. What points should we consider when buying a suitable waterproofing membrane for a building?

• Climate: One of the most important factors in selecting a membrane for roof waterproofing is paying attention to the climate where the building is located. Hot weather causes many membranes to soften, which manifests as:
• Dripping of the membrane (mostly bitumen) from under the ceiling
• Flow of membrane into drains and blocking them
• Inability to walk on the roof during hot hours due to membrane softening Cold weather causes many membranes to dry out and crack. Cracking means loss of waterproofing. In the past, contractors addressed these two problems in bitumen sheets by mixing various proportions of hard and soft bitumen according to air temperature, which was a professional job. But more important than the average air temperature is the difference between night and day and seasonal temperature changes. In desert areas where day-night temperature differences are large, and in mountainous areas with significant seasonal temperature variations, the work encounters challenges because even professional mixing cannot fully resolve the problem.
• Adhesion of membrane to the surface: This property of the waterproofing material must be examined from two perspectives:

1. Adhesion of the membrane to the dominant surface material
2. Adhesion of the membrane to other materials used on the surface The waterproofing membrane must reliably adhere firmly to the surface and not detach. Therefore, identifying the dominant surface material and estimating membrane adhesion strength is important. Note that sometimes the membrane adheres well to the dominant surface material but because the surface is not uniform and other materials are also present, if the membrane does not adhere well to those parts, detachment there can compromise the entire waterproofing. Considering building surface materials like concrete, cement, brick, stone, mosaic, wood, and metal, it is better to choose a membrane that adequately adheres to all these materials.
   • Elasticity of the waterproofing membrane layer: Another important factor in membrane selection is its elasticity. If the membrane lacks elasticity, small structural vibrations or thermal expansion/contraction cause cracks and loss of waterproofing. A common example is car tires where cheaper tires are less elastic and crack sooner; likewise, an elastic waterproofing membrane can cover small cracks and maintain waterproofing.

• Continuity of the membrane layer: Continuous, seamless membranes are always preferred over strip membranes. With strip membranes like asphalt rolls, joints exist between strips which can allow water infiltration. Overlapping strips partially addresses this but does not eliminate the problem and increases costs. Bitumen sheets and many polymer membranes are seamless, while asphalt rolls are strip membranes.
• The slope on which the membrane can be applied: Many membranes like bitumen sheets and asphalt rolls are designed for horizontal surfaces and perform well there, but when applied mistakenly on vertical surfaces, they detach causing loss of waterproofing and potential falling of top layers like tiles. Usually, these membranes are not applied more than 40 cm on vertical walls or are mechanically fixed if applied higher. Roof edges and parapet walls, which are vertical, must also be waterproofed, so membranes capable of application on vertical surfaces are preferred.
• Membrane color: Color is a secondary but relatively important consideration. In hot climates, dark bitumen membranes absorb more sunlight increasing heat transfer to lower layers, raising energy consumption for cooling and causing softening of the membrane thus reducing waterproofing quality. Polymeric membranes can be colored as desired, with dark colors preferred in cold climates and light colors in hot climates. This also benefits architectural aesthetics for spaces like roof gardens and allows membranes to be used as a topcoat without additional covering.
• Ease and speed of application: The easier and faster a membrane can be applied, especially with fewer equipment and less pollution, the higher its ranking in selection. Method of Roof Waterproofing with Polymeric Membranes: Given these criteria, newer polymeric membranes rank higher for roof waterproofing. One of the best membranes you can use for roof waterproofing is Stop Leak. This membrane is applied as a seamless paint by brush or roller, is very elastic, can stretch up to 4 times its length, and maintains performance between -50°C to +150°C. First, apply a primer layer uniformly on the roof surface, parapet walls, and any place to be waterproofed. Then reinforce only the corners with a 10 cm wide fiberglass mesh. The mesh adheres well to the primer without needing extra fasteners. Finally, apply two layers of Stop Leak in your desired color over the entire surface. Your roof is waterproof. The provided image titled "How to Waterproof the Roof?" shows the application method and appropriate membrane for roof waterproofing.

2- Fountain Waterproofing: In waterproofing of fountains as decorative elements, the most important principle is to avoid affecting their final aesthetic. Additionally, placement next to other elements like moisture-absorbing plaster walls makes fountain waterproofing an engineering and artistic task. How to Waterproof a Fountain? Fountains vary greatly; therefore, one waterproofing method does not fit all. Fountains can be wooden or stone, may be a water wall connected to a wall, or standalone. Adjacent materials vary widely - from moisture-absorbing plaster sensitive even to vapor, to wood that deforms or cracks with moisture changes, or non-porous materials like plastic. All affect fountain waterproofing. For best methods, you can contact us for free consultation from Titan experts. Meanwhile, here are some general guidelines: General rule in fountain waterproofing: The key principle is to preserve the fountain's decorative value; waterproofing should not reduce the artistic merit. Therefore: Always use colorless membranes for fountain waterproofing. How to waterproof a stone fountain? If the fountain is stone, waterproofing is similar to stone facade protection, using either penetration or coating methods. Details are explained in the stone facade waterproofing section. How to waterproof a wooden fountain? For wooden fountains, woods must be completely waterproofed for submerged use. Only water-repelling is not enough. How to waterproof wood and materials useful for full wood waterproofing are thoroughly explained in the wood insulation section. In the images titled "How to Waterproof a Fountain?" suitable products and usage are presented.

3- Roof Garden Waterproofing: In choosing membranes for roof gardens (roof gardens), besides controlling irrigation runoff, important factors include resistance to hydraulic root pressure, root secretions, and non-reactivity with acids from organic soil decomposition that can degrade the membrane. How to Waterproof a Roof Garden? Consider these points for roof garden waterproofing: Do not forget drainage. Pay attention to root pressure, which can even break asphalt and concrete. Remember that soil and irrigation runoff, due to fertilizer decomposition, root secretions, organic matter, and decaying plant residues, are acidic. Therefore, choose a membrane resistant to acids and corrosion. Since soil and pots need periodic replacement and maintenance like fertilizing and weeding, which involve tools that can physically damage the membrane, choose a membrane resistant to impacts. For waterproofing the roof garden, you can proceed as follows:

1. Cover the surface with a 1 cm thick layer of Isoct, creating a strong barrier against roots and preventing substrate cracks.
2. Reinforce joints between vertical and horizontal surfaces with mesh to prevent cracking at corners that bear the most stress.
3. Use Stop Wet, a two-component polymeric cementitious membrane capable of simultaneously handling positive and negative water pressure, applied with brush or roller. Two layers totaling 2 mm thickness completely waterproof the roof garden. Images titled "How to Waterproof a Roof Garden?" show suitable products and usage for building and waterproofing roof gardens.

4- Brick and Tile Waterproofing: One of the highly practical waterproofing tasks in construction is direct waterproofing of brick and tile surfaces. How to Waterproof Brick and Tile? First, use a colorless, penetrating waterproofing liquid to block all pores and capillaries inside the brick or tile. For this, you can use Top Proof. Top Proof is a colorless liquid resembling water, quickly absorbed by the surface without leaving marks. By penetrating deeply, it blocks all pores preventing water ingress. Remember to spray twice for complete waterproofing - the second application after the first layer dries, applied the same way. After the second layer dries, for increased durability and confidence, apply a coating layer of Prolak on the surface. This also improves surface gloss. Images titled "How to Waterproof Brick and Tile?" show suitable products and their application for brick and tile waterproofing.