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.
Oilcloth was developed in the 1800’s by Otis Ferrin, an inventor. This was developed by using heavy oil on heavy material. In the same era Charles Macintosh manufactured waterproof raincoats called Mackintoshes. This material was made by placing liquid rubber between two layers of wool. For many years this was the only thing that was available to protect against the damage caused by wetness.
The discovery of plastics in the 40’s caused a huge development in the production of products for preventing water damage. Silicon, Polymer, Teflon, and Scotchgard produced miracle results when applied to various products. This became extremely important in places like hospitals where various items needed to repel liquid. With this coating, there is no danger that germs or disease producing organisms can cause problems.
In response to these inventions, many different manufacturing industries responded with new products and requirements that extended the life of products. The building industry, for example, adapted standards which now require use of materials to prevent water seepage in all their construction. This has prevented hundreds of dollars of this type of damage.
Water damage can be very expensive in boat construction so the materials available to prevent this are very important. Clothing for the camper or hiker needs to repel water to keep the body from developing medical problems. The paper industry has adapted the process to include their paper products, such as milk cartons and other containers. The list goes on and on as to what and why something must be treated against moisture.
Extreme caution must be taken to ensure the proper materials are used and complete sealing is accomplished. Because of previous problems, most cities have a building code that requires this work to be done and it would benefit one to research the codes in your city in order to ensure your home is safe from environmental threats.
The introduction of waterproofing materials was a boon to all areas of life. From boat enthusiasts to mountain skiers, from builders to everyday life situations, this product has provided for a more protective life as well as a longer life for products.
Through time numerous 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 have got the ultimate inside info on best waterproofing companies .