No one wishes to be soaked by the weather. Rain, snow and hail can cause deterioration of one’s most precious possessions. Before the invention of good waterproofing materials a number of attempts were made to treat fabrics. This included using wax and lanolin and pitch or tar was used on boats, but for various reasons these methods were not satisfactory.
The discovery of oilcloth, made by the inventor Otis Ferrin was the first real attempt to produce something that would repel water. This was made by putting heavy oil on heavy material. Taking this concept a step farther, a chemist, Charles Macintosh, sandwiched liquid rubber between two layers of wool to produce a product which he used to make raincoats called Mackintoshes.
With the development of plastics in the 40’s an entirely new avenue was opened in the area of repelling liquids. Silicon Polymer, Teflon, and Scotchgard became leaders in the field. While these materials were used with clothing, it soon developed into uses in the building industry and in hundreds of other places. Today no building with a building permit, is erected in the United States without protection against water or other liquid damage.
This protection is used in building structures (basements, decks, roofs, and other areas that get wet), in paper (milk and juice cartons), watercraft, canvas, and clothing. Exposure to the weather can cost thousands of dollars in materials and lost time for the building industry. Without its use on paper it would be impossible to have inexpensive containers. For watercraft, canvas, and clothing this protects and prolongs its life.
There are many reasons for treating a basement against the weather, for example. Concrete is not waterproof, but it is porous. As a result, water will seep through and even go up a wall, causing mold and other damage. By using an advanced membrane system, consisting of various materials, it is possible to have a complete seal against water or other damage.
The basement of a home is one of its most important places. Called a foundation, it really is important as the rest of the house depends on it, however, it’s important to remember that it is porous and susceptible to erosion when untreated. For this reason it is important that it be sealed against any water damage. This will prevent mold and ruination of the walls. Today there are special materials to prevent this happening. They are called membranes and each section is specially treated. As with any product it is important that the proper materials be selected.
Boats and other watercraft have benefited greatly from advancements in waterproofing systems. Constantly exposed to the force of waves and, in many cases, salt water, the damage to wooden crafts can be disastrous if they cannot repel water. Additionally, making clothing impervious to water has become a large industry and includes liquid (spray silicon) which can be sprayed on any clothing from hats to boots. This has become especially important for those who go hiking of camping. Weather is unpredictable and when in a location that is far from shelter water proof clothing is essential.
Through time many methods were used for waterproofing, including treating with lanolin from wool, covering fabric with wax, tar or pitch on boars, none of these processes were perfect. We’ve got the ultimate inside information on reliable waterproofing companies .