Episode #10
Mehul Parikh - EnvaDure (S01 E10)
S01 E10: Why do buildings still leak – and can polyurethane fix the problem? In this episode, waterproofing and building envelope specialist Mehul Parikh asks why, despite better materials and decades of construction experience, water ingress remains a problem – and whether polyurethane can help create buildings that are more resilient, durable and sustainable. The conversation explores why PU is increasingly attractive for demanding waterproofing applications, particularly in India, where monsoons, humidity, extreme heat, large roof areas and tight construction schedules place very different demands on materials. Parikh explains why waterproofing, insulation and the wider roof assembly need to be considered together from the design stage – particularly as India raises building energy-performance requirements and green roofs, reflective coatings, solar installations and over-deck insulation make roofs increasingly complex. “Waterproofing is a science. It’s not just a trade” “You are now looking at chemistry to solve a geometry or a planning problem. That’s not going to work” “The beauty with polyurethane… is because it’s versatile” “Durability and sustainability go hand-in-hand” Parikh also challenges polyurethane producers and formulators to go further. Could waterproofing systems become genuinely “smart”, with sensors or conductive reinforcement capable of identifying a breach before water appears inside a building? Key topics: Why buildings still leak despite advances in waterproofing materials The five major causes of waterproofing failure Why products themselves may be responsible for surprisingly few failures Why waterproofing needs to begin at the design stage Where polyurethane outperforms traditional waterproofing technologies How PU membranes cope with movement, cracking, water and demanding climates Why India’s monsoons and changing climate are raising performance requirements The growing integration of waterproofing and roof insulation How building regulations and energy-efficiency requirements are changing specifications Why durability should be part of the sustainability calculation India’s dependence on imported polyurethane raw materials – and the growing importance of local formulation Why damp-tolerant and fast-curing PU systems could make a major difference on Indian construction sites #Polyurethane #Waterproofing #Construction #BuildingEnvelope #India #SustainableConstruction #BuildingMaterials #MaterialsScience #PolyCast #PU #EnergyEfficiency #ClimateResilience
