TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Intro) Various Waterproofing Methods
Liquid Applied Bituminous Waterproofing
Roll-type Bituminous Waterproofing
Self-Adhered Bituminous Products
Cold Applied Waterproofing Products
Polyethylene Waterproofing Membranes
Crystalline Waterproofing Mix-Additive
EPDM Membrane on Concrete
SBS Membrane on Concrete
(Bonus) Drainage Matt for Waterproofing Systems
Summary
Waterproofing Methods
There are various application methods in addition to overall waterproofing methods for concrete waterproofing products. These include liquid applied / trowel on products, spray applied products, roll-on products, and physical membrane installation products. Methods for liquid applied trowel on / pour-on are typical for horizontal surfaces, such as a roof slab with a concrete parapet surrounding the roof. Most products like this can be applied for vertical surfaces too with the right application methods.
Alternatively, for a more guaranteed even dispersion of product onto concrete, spray-applied methodologies can also be used, pumping pressurized waterproofing product for spray application. This method is fine for horizontal or vertical surfaces, or even overhead where needed.
A roll-on application method utilizes a roller to install the waterproofing product onto concrete surfaces. Roll-on application methods again are fine for horizontal or vertical surfaces.
Finally a physical membrane can be installed onto the surface of a concrete element such as a foundation wall. This could be a self-adhered product or self-applied product. Manufacturer specific installation instructions may dictate.
There are also products that can be utilized as an admixture within concrete to provide sealing and waterproofing characteristics. These can be utilized in sump pits, or elevator pits for example, incorporated into the mix-design itself.
Liquid Applied Bituminous Waterproofing
Bituminous waterproofing as the name implies, is a Bitumen based type of waterproofing product. They can also be known as asphalt. This is a sticky liquid applied product used for roofs, foundations walls, and other sub-surface concrete structures.
A hot applied product will come as a block that is heated and applied onto the substrate to create the waterproofing methodology. Some liquid applied products are not advisable for serious water-retention in deep foundations.
Roll-type Bituminous Waterproofing Membrane
Roll-type bituminous waterproofing membrane is a combination product of bituminous product and various layers of reinforcing and finishing layers. These products are rolled onto the surface that needs to be protected, whether that be a concrete parapet, concrete foundation wall, or sub-grade slab. They typically require heating for proper installation and adherence.
Self-adhered Bituminous Products
Some self-adhered bituminous products from manufactures can be sheet applied (roll-applied) onto surfaces to provide waterproofing protection.
They already come with the necessary adhering qualities and adhesives to allow quick and easy installation to various concrete elements. These products are great for smaller applications such as transitions in concrete elements, cracks/joints in concrete structures and other material transitions.
Cold Applied Products
A category of waterproofing products that can be applied through spray or roll-on methods. Cold applied waterproofing products come ready to use, and can be applied straight from the can. Typically a single component product, of a bitumen / polyurethane mixture, they are ideal for quick installations, and ease-of-use.
Polyethylene Waterproofing Membrane ( Roll-type)
Roll type waterproofing membranes that can be utilized in a showers or washrooms as a sub-floor membrane for waterproofing protection. Some products are specifically designed for utilization underneath tiles with grooves and designs for mortar and tile setting accurately in addition to being compatible with crack-resistant membranes (tiles).
Crystalline Waterproofing Mix-Additive
A crystalline waterproofing admixture, can be used in concrete mix designs to create a more water-proof characteristic for the concrete element at hand. This sort of product is effective in elevator pits, concrete sump pits, or even foundation walls.
The product effectively creates a crystalline structure within the concrete that fills voids and prevents migration of water through the concrete element. In this way a crystalline admixture for waterproofing protects the exterior of the concrete, but also protects the interior, because the product is present throughout the entire concrete element. This is not a surface applied product, or penetrating product, rather it is integral to the mix design of the concrete element itself, and can even increase the compressive MPa(megapascal) strength of concrete in some cases.
EPDM Membrane on Concrete
A product typical in roofing applications. EPDM (ethylene propyulene diene monomer) is a rubber product that can be used for concrete waterproofing and is also common in roofing systems.
These products can be installed directly on the concrete to meet building code requirements in lieu of a roll-on or spray-applied product. The roll on application makes these easy to install, often just a concrete nailer and manufacturer specific instruction are required.
In roofing applications these products come as flat sheets, and for foundation waterproofing, dimples are common/typical.
SBS on Concrete
A product typical in roofing applications. SBS is Styrene Butadiene-Styrene which is a synthetic rubber product. These products can withstand allot of water pressure so for concrete foundations are generally adequate for commercial/high-rise/mixed-use buildings. This is a roll-type product that is applied with heat and has great elastic and abrasion-resistance properties.
Remember, concrete waterproofing methodologies vary from concrete element to concrete element, such as patios, slabs, roof slabs, foundation walls, footing and more!
Drainage Matt/Membrane
In addition to waterproofing membranes and products, drainage matts and membranes can be utilized for added waterproofing protection. These matts are applied directly to he foundation wall to allows off the water runoff from the house that comes down the foundation wall to effectively drain to the bottom of the foundation.
Summary
Concrete waterproofing methods and means vary from use-case to use-case, and from product to product. Many of the products listed above have a number of sub-products within each category. For instance, some bituminous self-adhered products are perfect for small touch up work and crack waterproofing. There are also a category of crack injection products that help with foundation crack repair waterproofing for instance.
Depending on project requirements, from residential to commercial, the specified waterproofing product may change. For example, SBS products may be more suitable for higher hydro-static pressure waterproofing applications, where, liquid applied bituminous products might be suitable for a smaller area in a large building, or just a residential foundation.
Picking the right product comes down to taking into consideration professional advice from a reputable concrete contractor near you or waterproofing professionals. Always trust the services of a professional when in doubt.
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