Proteus Waterproofing Ltd

Every year, millions of pounds are spent repairing cracked, leaking and unsafe walkways across the UK, most of which could have been prevented with proper waterproofing. Water ingress via cracks and splits, left unchecked, can seep into concrete, corrode reinforcement and silently eat away at the very fabric of our buildings. By the time the damage becomes visible, it’s often far too late – and far more expensive – to fix.

Water ingress is one of the leading causes of premature deterioration in external structures. While it’s easy to focus attention on visible finishes or architectural design, it’s the unseen effects of moisture that can cause real damage.

Concrete, steel and masonry may look impervious, but they are far from waterproof. Water finds its way through tiny cracks, joints, surface defects and indeed, over time, through porous concrete itself. Once inside, it can wreak havoc.

When moisture seeps into a structure, it begins to interact with materials in destructive ways. Steel reinforcement within concrete can corrode, expanding as it rusts, forcing cracks to open wider. This, in turn, accelerates further water ingress, creating a vicious cycle of degradation. On exposed decks and podiums, the effects are particularly harsh, especially when combined with UV radiation, temperature fluctuations and rainfall.

In colder climates, freeze–thaw damage becomes another serious issue. Water that infiltrates cracks can freeze during low temperatures, expanding by around nine percent in volume. As it thaws and refreezes repeatedly, the process widens cracks and spalls concrete, leaving surfaces uneven and unsafe.

These seemingly small defects compromise not just a walkway’s surface, but its structural performance. Left untreated, what begins as a minor leak can escalate into major repair works, leading to costly downtime, replacement and in extreme cases, partial closure of the area.

As well as the structural effects, failed waterproofing can have serious implications for user safety. Water pooling can create slippery or unstable conditions, especially where drainage is inadequate. This can lead to surface delamination, trip hazards and algae growth, all of which can increase the likelihood of accidents.

By contrast, a well-designed waterproofing system installed during construction or early refurbishment can extend the service life of a walkway by decades, preventing moisture ingress, minimising ongoing maintenance and preserving asset value.

In recent years, modern cold applied liquid-applied systems have transformed how walkways are protected. Unlike traditional hot applied membranes, cold-applied coatings remove the need for hot works, reducing health and safety risks on site. They are also seamless, eliminating joints where water could infiltrate and can be installed quickly with minimal disruption to users.

One example of such innovation is Pro-BW® Plus, a liquid-applied, rapid-curing protective coating from Proteus Waterproofing, designed specifically for balconies and walkways. It provides a colourfast, UV-stable and skid-inhibiting surface, ideal for both refurbishments and new builds. As a cold-applied system, it minimises installation risk while dramatically reducing programme time, transforming what could take days into a matter of hours.

Manufactured in the UK and BBA Certified, Pro-BW® Plus exemplifies how modern waterproofing can combine durability, safety and speed without compromising on environmental or aesthetic performance.

So we can see, that choosing the right system is important, for although waterproofing may be invisible once a project is complete, its impact is felt for decades. It safeguards the structure, ensures user safety and preserves the long-term value of an asset.