Liquid rubber for waterproofing today is widespread in many sectors of construction. It is a new generation of material based on bitumen. Liquid rubber is elastic, resilient and durable. It is poorly exfoliated from the areas on which it is applied.
The liquid rubber membrane coating is used on a variety of surfaces, such as concrete, steel, roofing material and many others. This material is also called polymer-bitumen mastic. In some cases, even waterproofing the pond with liquid rubber.
The main differences between liquid rubber and other waterproofing materials
The composition of liquid rubber is close in composition to traditional bituminous mastic, but its field of application is limited due to the characteristics of components that are destroyed by ultraviolet radiation. That is, it can not be used on open surfaces.
Advantages of liquid rubber
- Liquid rubber for waterproofing is able to reliably connect surfaces from virtually any material. The quality of the resulting clutch does not depend on the "age" of the coatings.
- Polymer-bitumen mastic penetrates into cracks and damage of any form, hermetically filling them and accurately repeating the form. This distinguishes it from other insulating materials, which are more dense.
- Liquid rubber perfectly protects the treated surfaces from corrosion, as it has no seams and joints.
- High elasticity allows the applied rubber to serve for a long time without tearing and deformation.
- Waterproofing with liquid rubber is absolutely non-toxic. Even in hot weather, the material does not evaporate harmful essential oils. Basement waterproofing with liquid rubber in an apartment building is possible without temporary eviction of residents.
Material flaws
- To work with liquid rubber, special equipment is necessary which, if used improperly, can be dangerous. Therefore, only a qualified specialist should handle the material. Do-it-yourself waterproofing with liquid rubber is problematic and dangerous.
- The emulsion is quite expensive. Its use pays off with a number of advantages and a long service life, but not all customers can pay out a large amount of money at a time.
- Additional protection for the roof or pool may include rubber coating with paint. It must be remembered that only silicone-based or water-based compounds are suitable for such work.
- Waterproofing with liquid rubber has an unattractive appearance. Therefore, it is rarely used in private construction.
Methods for applying liquid rubber
- Bicomponent rubber is sprayed airless. To perform this operation, special settings are needed.
- One component formulations are sprayed from high pressure units.
- A special one-component rubber can be applied manually.
For the convenience of consumers, some manufacturers have developed universal formulations that can be distributed on the surface in various ways.
Scope of liquid rubber
Features of the application of the material allow it to be used for waterproofing foundations, pools, ponds, roofs and floors.
Using liquid rubber, specialists repair and partially update elements of various designs. During the construction of roads, the surface of hatches can be treated with emulsion.
In parking lots and large garages, liquid rubber is excellent for waterproofing the floor . It is also used in shipbuilding to create a protective layer on sea and river vessels.
Testimonials of builders on the use of liquid rubber for waterproofing objects to be immersed in water
Manufacturers of sprayed mastics no longer need to prove to builders the importance of waterproofing objects. Companies that are able to accurately correlate all income, expenses, labor and time are now moving to liquid rubber. They explain this by the fact that the material meets all their requirements. It is especially convenient to work with him during the isolation of pile foundations.
It is important for large developers to process a large surface area in the shortest possible time. With proper use of the equipment, a specialist can cover with waterproofing 600-1000 m 2 in 8 hours.
The required monolithic coating is achieved by using a two-contact mixing device. After applying the composition to the surface, the formation of the primary monolithic layer takes about 10 seconds, this occurs due to the natural evaporation of water.
All these parameters of liquid rubber make it popular among builders involved in the construction of buildings on difficult and wet soils.
Residents of brick houses about waterproofing masonry with liquid rubber
Manufacturers claim that the material they produce has excellent adhesion to different surfaces, brick is no exception. But builders warn about the existing features when working with this type of foundation.
When using liquid rubber for waterproofing basements of buildings, it must be borne in mind that the masonry must be dry and free from contamination. If the wall is wet, then the insulation applied to it will close the steam outlet, and the brick will always freeze very much. Condensation can often be seen at the corners of such a basement. When using double-sided waterproofing, a wet brick after several freezing and thawing cycles can begin to collapse. It will also impair adhesion.
Therefore, it is important to apply a coating layer on the outside of the building, which is explained by the features of moisture absorption of the brick. Waterproofing the foundation with liquid rubber from the inside makes little sense, since the wall will be constantly wet. Such a measure will protect only the basement itself from dampness. In this case, the adhesion of the composition is only enough for a few winters.
For masonry, it is better to use material that is applied manually. With the correct distribution of the waterproofing layer, it will last more than 10 years.
Reviews of builders on the device and operation of roofs with waterproofing liquid rubber
In all areas of construction, waterproofing is an urgent issue. Liquid rubber, reviews of which in most cases are positive, refers to the popular materials used for such purposes.
In private construction, this composition is rarely used. Due to its unattractive appearance and high cost. Liquid rubber for waterproofing a flat roof is used mainly in industrial facilities, for example, in garages, workshops, sewage treatment plants and other structures. When working with material, a specialist must have personal protective equipment and insurance.
Some builders do not recommend using liquid rubber as the only coating for a flat roof. On top of the waterproofing, another composition must be applied to protect its integrity during mechanical stresses, such as strong hail or planned snow removal. The edge of the shovel can instantly shift part of the layer and leave behind an empty space.
Manufacturers claim that liquid rubber for waterproofing can last more than 10 years. This is true only for situations where it is coated on top with solvent-free paint. Otherwise, its service life is approximately 5 years.
Reviews on working with liquid rubber in different climatic conditions
When evenly distributed over the surface, the liquid rubber hardens almost instantly. Manufacturers claim that it is possible to work with the composition up to -5 ° C. In the summer, there are no temperature restrictions during use.
The harsh Russian climate is not an obstacle to the preservation of material properties. It can be used in open areas, if the temperature in winter does not drop below -35 ° C.
Reviews of liquid rubber for waterproofing outdoor pools
Workers note the convenience of spraying liquid composition on embossed surfaces. Builders need to pay attention to the weather forecast. If there is a risk of rain, it is better to postpone work with waterproofing in open areas.
Thus, today in the market of building materials you can find many compositions for various purposes. Liquid rubber for waterproofing is popular due to its exceptional properties and application speed. It is perfect for different surfaces. This is confirmed by numerous positive reviews about this material.