MBR SEPTEMBER ALL LR

Malta Business Review
BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION
BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION
Malta Business Review
THE SEPTEMBER
STORM
for bright white colours to obtain the opposite
effect.
The idea of one material fits all is just a
fairy tale, especially when it comes to
waterproofing. Thermal waterproofing
insulation are now a reality. Membranes like
Fibro Guaina reflex are able to reduce 90% of
heat intake inside buildings and provide an all
year round protection.
Product knowledge and how to use them
correctly is the secret of an able installer.
The Malta Waterproofing and Resin Flooring
Association provide technical knowledge and
professional formation to all Maltese installers
who wish to improve their workmanship or
start a carrier in the waterproofing business.
The Association also assists its members
by providing the services of a profession
advisor when facing challenging situations
or other difficulties during their works.
The Association also provides its qualified
members the Certified Installers Card. This
is done to reassure the general public that
the person has all that is required for a job
carried out at its best. All this is being made
possible thanks to the Resin and Membrane
Centre and NAICI International Academy.
For further information with regards the
Malta Professional Waterproofing and Resin
Flooring Association visit our website on
www.maltawaterproofing.com or call us on
27477647. MBR
by Antoine Bonello
with the building. If the membrane is to be
exposed to the sun, then it should be UV
resistant. The membrane should be flexible
enough to take any shape it is laid over, and
be capable of turning up and over walls and
other construction features.
Environmental conditions and house designs
are different from one country to another and
so is waterproofing. North European houses
are subject to intensive cold and experience
no Sun almost all year round, which is why they
have slanting roofs and black waterproofing
membrane to help absorb better the few
hot UV rays. On the contrary Mediterranean
countries subject to intensive heat must opt
Thermal Protective waterproofing membrane
Houses in Sweden have black roofs to attract the UV rays
Implementation of Thermal Waterproofing with Fibreglass reinforcement
It is the time of the year when we experience
our annual September/October rain fall. This
usually comes after a six month dry period of
intensive heat. During this time of the year
we experience a drastic temperature change,
shorter days and lot of traffic. In short winter
is coming back. But what exactly happens to
our houses in summer and why many people
endure water intake at this time of the year.
The need to protect our house and especially
our roofs from the elements is of vital
importance, failing to do so can result in
deterioration and damages beyond repair.
There are situations when structural damages
are so extensive that architects condemn
entire roofs to be rebuilt again. This practically
means that you will be required to remove
all your belongings from your house, find a
garage to store them somewhere safe and
to go and live with your in-laws or rent a
place while the works are going on. In short
a nightmare.
The fact that you are not experiencing water
drooling down your walls does not mean you
are not experiencing water intake. Most of
the time water enters from small openings
and cracks. This ends up being absorbed by
the sand and stone mixture beneath the slab
and create dampness. This dampness is bad
for the metal inside the concrete. Corroded
steel expands up to three times its volume
resulting in spalling concrete. A visible early
indication of this happening are black mould
spots on the celling. Mould and mildew are
fungi - simple microscopic organisms that
thrive anywhere there is a moist environment,
they grow within 24 to 48 hours.
All the above mentioned problems can be
solved with a proper waterproofing resin
membrane. A waterproofing membrane is
a thin layer of water-tight material that is
laid over a surface. This layer is continuous
and does not allow water to pass through
it. For example, on a roof or flat terrace,
a waterproofing membrane could be laid
above the structural slab and below the finish
tiles. This will ensure that water does not
seep into the structural slab. The tiles and
membrane must be laid over a filler material
that is sloped to ensure that water flows into
sumps and drains. Any water that remains as
puddles over the tiles roofs is likely to seep
into the slab over time, so puddles are to be
avoided at all costs.
A good outdoor waterproofing membrane
for outdoor must be should be strong,
flexible, tear-resistant and elastic so that it
can stretch to cover cracks and also move
Roofs in Greece are Mostly white to reppel the
Intensive UV rays
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