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Types of waterproofing: features and scope

Waterproofing is a measure that is taken to make a structure, material, or item resistant to water, helping to protect it against moisture-related damage. This post outlines various types of waterproofing systems, their features, advantages, and scope. Cementitious and bituminous waterproofing are the two main types of systems. Cementitious waterproofing is made up of additives that help form a waterproof seal when mixed with concrete, rendering the surface or layer water-resistant. Bituminous waterproofing offers a durable and impenetrable barrier against water and is a form of flexible membrane waterproofing. Liquid membrane systems are also available, and these can be applied in multiple layers to provide greater waterproofing protection and stability. Whatever system is used, waterproofing helps extend the life of a construction project substantially.

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Correctly done waterproofing of the foundation is not only a guarantee of a dry basement, but also a guarantee of a long service life of the entire building. About what types of waterproofing are, and how they differ, is described in this article..

Types of waterproofing. Features and scope

Water wears away a stone – this proverb, like no other, reflects the main problem of the foundations of buildings – the foundations and associated basements and basements. They are especially susceptible to the harmful effects of moisture. Do not think that the problem is only in the presence of water in the basement, no, it can simply be pumped out. This is just the same inconvenience that you can put up with. The problem is that water washes away the support structures and destroys, especially when freezing, the concrete from which the foundation is made. That is why, despite the initially seeming insignificance of waterproofing works, these are fundamental works, if not done at the initial stage of construction, you can face serious problems, up to the destruction of the foundation, in the future.

In fact, any work on waterproofing foundations, and, consequently, basements of buildings, boils down to preventing water seepage into structures – creating a barrier. Ideally, such work is carried out outside, at the stage of laying the foundation. If everything is done correctly, then neither rain nor melt water will penetrate through the foundation into the basement. However, there are times when rain or melt water is not the only danger. A high water table, in which the ground, like a sponge, is saturated with moisture to a certain level, often higher than the level of the basement floor, creates a serious problem. There is water in the basement that cannot be pumped out – it is initially in the soil, and after a while it will accumulate again, and from which it is impossible to protect yourself by isolating only the foundation – moisture will come from below. In this case, the only way to avoid unwanted water is to make a waterproof barrier all over the inside of the basement, essentially a trough.

Types of waterproofing. Features and scope

There are several options for arranging waterproofing of foundations and basements, each of which has its own advantages over others and its own areas of application. These options will be discussed in the article.

Three types of waterproofing can be distinguished: coating, gluing and penetrating. Let’s consider each of them in more detail and try to figure out their strengths and weaknesses..

Coating waterproofing

Perhaps the oldest version of waterproofing work. Any waterproof material that can be applied directly to the walls, like paint or plaster, is the basis of the coating waterproofing. It was originally diluted clay. Subsequently, it was replaced by bitumen-based mastics. Currently, modern polymeric materials are used for these purposes..

Types of waterproofing. Features and scope

Application technology: a flat surface of the foundation with seams, if necessary, putty on the outside is painted with at least 3 layers of waterproofing mastic. Manufacturers assure that it is possible to paint from the inside, however, the mastic can peel off at high water pressure – in this case, it is held only by the adhesion forces of the mastic with concrete. It can be applied with any suitable tool – brush, roller or spatula, it all depends on the consistency of the material used. After the waterproofing layer has dried, the ditch along the foundation, in which the work was carried out, is filled up. It makes sense to cover the basement of the building with a waterproofing layer..

Price: depending on the materials used: from 100 rubles / m2 for compositions based on cement and from 150 rubles / m2 bitumen based.

Manufacturers: in fact, any large manufacturers of building materials have waterproofing mixtures in their catalog: Ivsil, Knauf, Technonikol, Prospectors, etc..

Types of waterproofing. Features and scope

Pros:

  • easy application – in fact, painting in several layers;
  • low price;
  • the plastic layer is resistant to mechanical damage.

Minuses:

  • effective application only from the outside, since during processing from the inside under the influence of water it can peel off;
  • at temperature drops, the waterproofing layer may crack.

Conclusion: this type is well suited for external waterproofing of vertical elements of foundations and plinths.

Gluing waterproofing

When solving one of the main problems of coating-type waterproofing – cracking, options have appeared in which the waterproofing layers are reinforced with one or more intermediate layers of tear-resistant materials. Typically sold in rolls.

Application technology: such waterproofing is applied by gluing to a flat insulated surface. Sticking can be carried out using special mastics, or, which is much more common, by thermal fusion. In this case, the inner layer is melted with a torch and, while it is in a semi-liquid viscous state, is glued to the surface. Application is carried out in at least two layers, waterproofing strips are glued with an overlap of about 10 cm.

Types of waterproofing. Features and scope

Price: from 120 rubles / m2.

Manufacturers: most manufacturers of flexible roofing materials also make glued waterproofing: Technonikol, Ruflex and others.

Pros:

  • a more durable waterproofing layer is obtained than a coating, resistant to cracking.

Minuses:

  • technologically more complex application method;
  • less strong adhesion of waterproofing to the surface, as a result, an increased risk of delamination;
  • higher price.

Conclusions: good option for external waterproofing, not suitable for internal insulation.

Penetrating waterproofing

The newest type of waterproofing. It consists in the processing of concrete elements of buildings with special compounds. The active substances of the composition penetrate into the pores of the concrete and enter into a chemical reaction with the cement. As a result, water-insoluble crystals are formed in the concrete structure, reliably plugging microcracks, pores and capillaries of the material, while water is forced out. The process of crystal formation and clogging of pores occurs simultaneously in all directions. The result is a material that is impervious to water. In the absence of moisture, the crystals stop growing, and when moisture appears, they begin again, penetrating deeper into concrete, that is, a single structure with a long service life is formed. The composition can be applied both externally and internally. The only limitation is application only on concrete surfaces. There are technologies that allow the use of penetrating waterproofing on brick foundations, but they are quite laborious and, therefore, not very applicable. In fairness, it should be noted that brick foundations are extremely rare..

Types of waterproofing. Features and scope

Application technology: if the foundation is monolithic, then the procedure is as follows – the dry mixture is diluted with water to a creamy state and applied to the concrete with a brush, brush, roller or spatula, after drying, the excess is swept away with a brush. If the foundation is made of concrete blocks, then it is necessary to first putty the joints and process them with penetrating waterproofing for the joints. If necessary, you can use the compound to seal the seams to a greater depth. Further work is similar to those described above..

Price: from 300 rubles / m2.

Producers: Penetron, Stream, Cerezit and others.

Pros:

  • based on the properties of the material, it is clear that the treatment with penetrating waterproofing not only creates a barrier to water, but also significantly strengthens the concrete base itself;
  • simple application technology;
  • can be applied from the inside, the end result will be almost the same quality as when applied outside.

Minuses:

  • you can only work on a concrete base;
  • very high price.

Conclusion: an excellent material for waterproofing both buildings under construction – in this case it makes sense to apply it outside, and already built, especially for insulating flooded basements, where work can only be carried out from the inside.

Types of waterproofing. Features and scope

So, each type of waterproofing has a place to be. Even such an “ancient” method as coating, through a small improvement – applying a reinforcing layer of building mesh between layers of waterproofing – can give an excellent result, and a combination – a hundred percent guarantee of the protection of foundations, basements and basements of buildings from water.

At the end, we will give a summary table for the types of waterproofing, their characteristics and areas of application:

Waterproofing type Price rub / m2 Durability Bond strength (on a scale of 1 to 5) Technology (on a scale of 1 to 5) Applications
Coating cement based from 100 10 years 3 4 Waterproofing of external walls, foundations and plinths, waterproofing from the inside of internal premises (bathroom, toilet), waterproofing from the inside of water tanks (pools, etc.)
based on plastic materials from 150 6-8 years old 2 five Waterproofing of external walls, foundations and plinths, waterproofing from the inside of water tanks (pools, etc.)
Okleechnaya from 120 15 years 1 2 Waterproofing exterior walls, foundations, plinths and roofs
Penetrating from 300 50 years five 4 Waterproofing of internal and external walls, foundations, plinths and basements, repair of waterproofing, waterproofing of internal premises (bathroom, toilet), waterproofing of water tanks (swimming pools, etc.)
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Comments: 1
  1. Scarlett Foster

    What are the different types of waterproofing available? Can you explain their distinctive features and what specific areas or applications they are best suited for?

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