Contrary to popular belief, waterproof coatings are not all the same. There are various types, each with its own unique properties and applications. Unfortunately, some unscrupulous businesses may use low-quality products to maximize profits. That’s why it's important to understand how to choose the right waterproof coating for your project.

Waterproofing is important, but environmental safety is even more critical.

While the main goal of waterproof coatings is to prevent water seepage, it's also essential to consider their environmental impact. If you choose an environmentally harmful product, it might not be visible after installation, but it can still release harmful gases over time. This can affect indoor air quality, even if other materials in your home are considered eco-friendly.

This is one of the reasons why many homeowners find it confusing—despite using green materials, harmful emissions can still exceed safe levels. To avoid this, always buy from reputable stores or supermarkets and look for well-known brands. Trusted products usually come with test reports, certifications, and eco-labels like the China Environmental Label or CTC logo. These are indicators of quality and safety, so make sure to check them carefully before purchasing.

Flexibility Matters in Waterproofing

When we talk about the "body" of a waterproof coating, we're referring to its physical characteristics. Most coatings fall into two categories: rigid and flexible. Rigid coatings, such as cement-based ones, are strong and resistant to pressure, but they don't stretch much. If there's any movement in the structure, such as minor cracks or shifts, they can easily crack, leading to leaks and loss of effectiveness.

Flexible coatings, on the other hand, are more adaptable. Acrylic-based coatings, for example, have good elasticity and can move slightly with the structure, making them more effective in preventing water damage. In newly renovated homes, subtle structural changes are common due to construction or material shrinkage. These tiny movements may not affect daily use, but they can challenge the integrity of a rigid waterproof layer. Therefore, it's best to choose a flexible coating that can handle these small deformations.

Where to Apply Waterproof Coating

Not every part of your home needs waterproofing. The most critical areas are the bathroom walls, kitchen walls, and balcony floors where water systems are installed. If you live on the ground floor, applying a waterproof layer can help prevent moisture issues.

In the bathroom, the shower and faucet area typically reaches up to 1.8 meters in height. It's recommended to apply waterproofing up to this level for maximum protection. If you’re only installing a shower wall, 1.5 meters might be sufficient, but if you want extra security, going up to 1.8 meters is better. For kitchens, focus on the floor and walls near the sink, especially the wall behind the sink. A height of 0.3 meters is usually enough, but adding an extra 1.5 meters around the sink area can provide additional protection against splashes and spills.

Each Type Has Its Strengths

There are several types of waterproof coatings, each with its own advantages. Polyurethane coatings are highly elastic and durable, making them ideal for areas prone to movement. However, they tend to be more expensive and require longer application times. Due to their popularity, there are many fake polyurethane products on the market, so it's crucial to verify authenticity before buying.

Acrylic coatings are easy to apply, environmentally friendly, and offer good film performance. They are a popular choice for residential use due to their moderate price. JS (polymer-modified cement) coatings combine the benefits of both rigid and flexible materials, offering good adhesion and ease of application. They are non-toxic and widely recommended for use in homes.

Flexible cement mortar coatings are known for their strength and compatibility with waterproof membranes. They bond well with the base layer and allow tiles to be placed directly after application, saving time and effort. While they are cost-effective, they are rigid and not suitable for new homes that may experience settlement.

How Much Do You Need?

Many people struggle to determine how much waterproof coating to buy. Fortunately, there are simple formulas to calculate the required amount. For bathrooms, the waterproof area can be calculated as follows: (perimeter of the floor - door width) × 1.8 meters (height) + floor area. If you prefer a lower height, such as 1.5 meters, just adjust the calculation accordingly.

For kitchens, the formula is similar: (floor width - door width) × 0.3 meters (height) + floor area + (sink wall width × 1.5 meters). Once you know the area, waterproof coatings are generally sold by weight. For example, acrylic coatings require about 3 kg per square meter, while polyurethane and JS coatings also need around 3 kg per square meter. Flexible cement mortars are typically around 3 kg per square meter as well.

Dumbwaiter Lifts

A dumbwaiter is a small freight elevator or lift intended to carry objects rather than people. Dumbwaiters found within modern structures, including both commercial, public and private buildings, are often connected between multiple floors. When installed in restaurants, schools, kindergartens, hospitals, retirement homes or in private homes, the lifts generally terminate in a kitchen.

The term seems to have been popularized in the United States in the 1840s, after the model of earlier "dumbwaiters" now known as serving trays and lazy Susans. The mechanical dumbwaiter was invented by George W. Cannon, a New York City inventor. Cannon first filed for the patent of a brake system (US Patent no. 260776) that could be used for a dumbwaiter on January 6, 1883. Cannon later filed for the patent on the mechanical dumbwaiter (US Patent No. 361268) on February 17, 1887.Cannon reportedly generated a vast amount of royalties from the dumbwaiter patents until his death in 1897.

A simple dumbwaiter is a movable frame in a shaft, dropped by a rope on a pulley, guided by rails; most dumbwaiters have a shaft, cart, and capacity smaller than those of passenger elevators, usually 45 to 450 kg (100 to 1000 lbs.) Before electric motors were added in the 1920s, dumbwaiters were controlled manually by ropes on pulleys.

Early 20th-century codes sometimes required fireproof dumbwaiter walls and self-closing fireproof doors and mention features such as buttons to control movement between floors and locks on doors preventing them from opening unless the cart is stopped at that floor. Dumbwaiter Lifts in London were extremely popular in the houses of the rich and privileged. Maids would use them to deliver laundry to the laundry room from different rooms in the house. They negated the need to carry handfuls of dirty washing through the house, saving time and preventing injury.

A legal complaint about a Manhattan restaurant's dumbwaiter in 1915, which also mentions that food orders are shouted up and down the shaft, describes its operation and limitations as follows:

[There is] ... great play between the cart of the dumb-waiter and the guides on which it runs, with the result that the running of the cart is accompanied by a loud noise. The rope which operates the cart of the dumb-waiter runs in a wheel with a very shallow groove, so that the rope is liable to and does at times slip off. ... The cart has no shock absorbers at the top, so that when it strikes the top of the shaft or wheel there is a loud report. ... [T]he ropes of the dumb-waiter strike such wall at frequent intervals with a loud report. ... [T]he dumb-waiter is often negligently operated, by running it faster than necessary, and by letting it go down with a sudden fall.

More recent dumbwaiters can be more sophisticated, using electric motors, automatic control systems, and custom freight containers of other kinds of elevators. Recently constructed book lifts in libraries and mail or other freight transports in office towers may be larger than many dumbwaiters in public restaurants and private homes, supporting loads as heavy as 450 kg (990lbs)

Dumbwaiter Lifts, Service Lifts, Service Lift, Dumb Waiter, Dumbwaiter Lift

CEP Elevator Products ( China ) Co., Ltd. , https://www.china-elevators.com