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Water is the universal solvent. It is also one of the most important resources on the planet. Water is dichotomous. It can destroy cities, drown swimmers and capsize boats, but it can also sustain crops, refresh the thirsty and clean anything. Water is a force of nature.
At the beginning of every show, Steve Thomas of Renovation Nation fame tells us that we have to find a way to build that is in sync with the planet. Waterproofing your house is a smart way of doing that. Waterproofing a domicile can increase the sustainability of the building. The longer something lasts the less resources are needed for its upkeep, therefore, making it green.
Here are some waterproofing tips:
- Create a watertight drainage plane: This is the ultimate goal of waterproofing. To do this, a builder must create a continuous barrier that extends the entire breadth and height of the structure. This barrier must be as tight as possible with no gaps. The “inconvenient” presence of windows and doors will always be a chink in a home’s exterior armor.
- Tar Paper: In order to keep water out, many renovators use tar paper on the sides of houses as well as on the tops. Tar paper still allows a small amount of water to get through, but it keeps it out the bulk of the moisture.
- House Wrap: This stuff is like a thin, plastic shell that covers the house. Of course, holes have to be cut for windows and doors in order to let light and people through.
- Sheathing: Some forms of sheathing are so thick that they provide insulation. This could be good for people looking for their waterproofing materials to pull double duty. Most sheathings create a very tight waterproof drainage plane.
- Doors and Windows: Use non-toxic sealant to seal gaps in the drainage plane caused by the need for doors and windows. The irony may be that many of the non-toxic sealants are water-based. That means you’ll be fighting fire with fire or whatever.
Want to create the perfect eco-nest? Get the nuts and bolts (pun intended!) on building green on Planet Green TV's Renovation Nation.
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