Waterproofing
, creates a barrier to prevent water from passing through surfaces that have frequent contact with water, such as foundations, roofs, and walls. So waterproofing materials are one of the most important elements of a building project, increasing the durability of many different surfaces in construction.
First of all, let's define the difference between dampproofing and waterproofing.
According to American Concrete Institute Dampproofing is the treatment of a surface or structure to resist the passage of water in the absence of hydrostatic pressure. Another definition is the treatment of concrete or mortar to retard the passage or absorption of water, or water vapor.
While Waterproofing is a treatment of a surface or structure to prevent the passage of water under hydrostatic pressure.
Both damp proofing and waterproofing prevent moisture penetration. The primary difference between the two is that waterproofing can withstand hydrostatic pressure in addition to moisture control. Damproofing, on the other hand, is not an effective barrier for water under pressure.
Waterproofing Different Technologies in the Market
There is a variety of waterproofing materials in the market. According to the Sealant, Waterproofing, and Restoration Institue, these are the main waterproofing categories:
- Cementitious mortars
- Liquid Applied Membranes
- Bituminous Membranes
- Sheet membranes
- Integral
And will focus on the most common types used today in the market.
1. Cement-Based Waterproofing Products
- The easiest waterproofing method used in construction projects today. It is easy to apply.
- Used to seal against damp soil, seepage, and percolating water. Waterproofing mortars are often applied in water reservoirs, water retaining structures, basements, and other engineering structures as well as beneath tiling for swimming pools, balconies, bathrooms, and kitchens where a subsequent protecting layer on top of the cementitious coating, is required.
- Can be a one-component or two-component product, for positive and negative water pressure such as 2K Plus, rigid or flexible to tolerate fine cracks such as 2K flexi, in addition to being suitable for contact with drinking water.
2. Liquid Waterproofing Membrane Products
- Monolithic, fully bonded, liquid-based coating suitable for many waterproofing applications. The coating cures to form elastomeric waterproof membranes and may be applied over many substrates, including bitumen, metal, and concrete.
- It offers more flexibility than cement-based waterproofing products. It has high UV resistance, a variety of color options, and a high solar reflectance index when applied in white color, for these reasons, it is used more intensively today.
- The liquid waterproofing membrane may be Water-based such as HB, HB Topcoat, or One-component polyurethane-based with high mechanical properties and flexibility such as Uniguard PU 1K.
3. Bituminous Membrane products
Bitumen is a sticky, black, and highly viscous liquid form of petroleum. it is widely used in construction. Bituminous membranes are available within different application methods (torch, self-adhered, mechanically fixed, hot or cold applied).
In this article will talk about one of these technologies which is liquid-applied bitumen/rubber latex emulsions such as Bituguard. Which dried to a tough black seamless, flexible membrane used for the protection and damp proofing of concrete & and blocks, retaining walls, and basements in addition to the protection of concrete structures against sulfates in soils with an easy, fast installation with excellent adhesion to the concrete surface.
If You Want to choose the right waterproofing products, we have a couple of recommendations.
Factors to consider include whether your project is above grade or below grade and the area where waterproofing is needed.
The different areas where waterproofing usually is Needed.
- Concrete Foundations, where System 111 & and System 112 from Uniguard Range are recommended for concrete foundations waterproofing.
- The basement of the building, where negative water pressure waterproofing mortar such as 2K Plus is recommended for raising dampness issues faced in Basements.
- Wet rooms such as the Kitchen and toilets, where System 107 from Uniguard recommends a suitable waterproofing mortar to be used under tiling.
- Roofs, where waterproofing shall be adaptable to a range of temperatures, resistant to UV light and you can view recommended systems from Uniguard for exposed roofs.
- Swimming Pools and water retaining structures, where waterproofing shall protect the substrate from water pressure. And you can view recommended systems from Uniguard for Tanks and Swimming Pools.
