Buildings are often exposed to water through various sources, which affects the substructure and superstructure: rising water tables, surrounding water bodies and leakages from underground drainage systems which enter the substructure through cracks that develop in the concrete over time. Weather conditions such as moisture, rain and heat cause damage to the superstructure.
The chief use of sealants is to block the passage of water and gases through gaps between substrates or surfaces. They also help accommodate movement between materials and additionally serve as adhesives. Depending on the intended use, sealants are formulated using different polymers making them strong, rigid or flexible. Sealants can be manufactured to incorporate various properties such as chemical resistance, corrosion resistance and insolubility depending on their intended usage.
A thermal insulating coating is a material that dries up to form a protective layer that is resistant to heat flow. An effective insulation works on physical and chemical parameters of the insulating coating and filler (not on the light wave reflection of a light colored surface). This coating, coupled with the traditional insulation systems, cools buildings and saves energy costs.