Excerpt from Structural Waterproofing: A Waterproofing Handbook and Reference Guide for the Use of Architects, Engineers, Building Contractors and Others Interested in the General Subjects of Waterproofing and Dampproofing

His is the era of concrete construction. For a number of years past the use of concrete as a building material has been grow ing by leaps and bounds. It is most natural that this should be the case. Concrete is the most ideal building material known. It is durable and fireproof. It provides rapidity in construction and economy in labor. It has, in fact, few limitations.

Its natural absorbent property, however, had a tendency to limit its use in certain directions. There seemed to be no reason, though, why this difficulty could not be overcome and the use of concrete further extended, by eliminating this absorbent characteristic. It seemed logical that the intro duction of some element into the concrete during the process of mixing, would accomplish this purpose and add to the other splendid qualities of concrete, the highest degree of impermeability. As later events demonstrated, this proved true, and it is when in a waterproofed state that concrete finds its highest and most complete expression. Out _of this idea itself, however, together with its subsequent development, has grown the science of integral waterproofing.

But because of the comparative newness of integral waterproofing as a science, there has been little organized literature or data on the subject. The architect and engineer, faced with a condition where waterproofing seemed necessary, or desiring to extend his use of concrete by some effective system of waterproofing, has found difficulty in knowing where to turn for instruction or suggestion. In other words, the science of waterproofing has lacked a handbook to which the builder could turn as a reference guide.

This Architectural and Engineering Edition of Structural Waterproofing is an endeavor to supply this deficiency and to place at the disposal of the architect and engineer, a thoroughly organized and complete handbook upon the entire subject of integral waterproofing. The theory underlying waterproofing, the nature of waterproofing compounds, a discussion of their chemical and physical characteristics and their practical use in mass concrete, cement plaster coat and stucco, are all fully dealt with in the various chapters of this book. We hope very sincerely that Structural Waterproofing will fulfill a much needed require ment in supplying full information upon the subject, to all persons who may be interested.

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