There is no maintenance policy in the country, making it very difficult to find people who understand what this means.
By Escarlin Pozo
El Inmobiliario
SANTO DOMINGO.- Proper waterproofing and insulation in construction has become a fundamental element over time.
While waterproofing prevents leaks that could damage steel and concrete, insulation, both thermal and acoustic, helps improve energy efficiency and reduce noise in a given space.
These statements were made public by the president and vice president, respectively, of the company “Aislantes y techos”, engineer Héctor Martínez Cabruja and Héctor Martínez Selman.
Cabruja noted that he began working in this field in 1973, at a time when the importance of properly implementing waterproofing and insulation in buildings was hardly discussed or given any attention.
But over time, this reality changed when the sector began to gain notoriety by being recognized as a fundamental measure to protect the investment made in real estate projects.
He explained that the leaks can affect the structure and damage the steel, which can cause problems in the construction.
But this problem doesn't end there; the expert explains that it can also affect the interior of homes, since, through leaks, fungi can grow that can cause lung diseases.
Héctor Martínez Cabruja and Héctor Martínez Selman. David Valentín/El Inmobiliario.
“So, waterproofing is not only to protect the structure, but to protect health as well,” he explained in an interview with El Inmobiliario.
When working on a construction project, he maintains that ideally, a suitable waterproofing plan should be considered from the very beginning, during the design phase. This not only ensures the long-term protection of the structure but also allows for better cost planning.
Myths on the terraces
For his part, Héctor Martínez Selman, Jr., who joined as a partner in 2007 when the company was founded, commented that a common belief about terraces persists that can lead to errors in their waterproofing.
One of these myths is that, when laying a floor, there will immediately be no leaks or that the melting process will correct the leak.
However, this is not the reality. In that regard, he explained that in projects with rooftop terraces and social areas, a high-quality product must be installed so that the flooring never needs to be replaced.
Along the same lines, Selman pointed out that leaks are common in the walls of many buildings. To address this problem, he recommended using waterproofing products specifically designed for exterior walls. Their main advantage is that, in addition to protecting against moisture, they have a decorative finish that doesn't reveal that a waterproofing treatment has been applied.
Insulation in buildings
Regarding thermal insulation, he explained that it is essential in both warm and cold climates. In warm climates, it helps conserve energy from air conditioning, while in cold climates, it retains the heat generated by heating systems, optimizing energy use in both cases and resulting in significant savings.
“That’s an issue where, when you invest money in thermal insulation, the energy savings pay for the investment. That’s an extremely profitable business. Plus, it improves your quality of life,” he said.
They explained that insulation can be thermal, acoustic, or a combination of both. The right choice depends on the type of structure and the client's needs.
One of the examples they gave was that of metal roofs; in that case, spray polyurethane is ideal, as it protects against leaks, provides thermal insulation, and withstands winds.
Other common materials include extruded polystyrene, fiberglass, and mineral wool, which is non-combustible and used in high-temperature environments, such as power generation plants, due to its superior thermal resistance.
A country exposed to earthquakes in need of attention
Héctor Martínez Cabruja explained that the Dominican Republic is constantly exposed to earthquakes, which leads to the use of higher quality products.
He specified that more than 100 tremors occurred last year, which would represent one tremor every three and a half days, producing a crack in the buildings.
Despite this reality and others, Héctor Martínez Selman reveals that there is no maintenance policy in the country and that it is very difficult to find people who are aware of what this means.
In that regard, he indicated that “that’s why we try to offer customers products that are almost perpetual. For example, long-lasting products and products that we know and are 100% sure will solve the problem.”.
