Liquid glass today is actively used in construction, this is due to the many positive features of this material, among them:
- moisture resistance;
- chemical inertness;
- fire resistance;
- low thermal conductivity;
- lack of toxicity.
Why choose liquid glass
Among other things, liquid glass has excellent adhesion to most surfaces. The material has an antiseptic effect and exhibits abrasion resistance during operation. This composition is characterized by anticorrosion characteristics and even wind resistance.
Liquid glass waterproofing is most common as using the composition as an ingredient. In its pure form, the material is used less often. In the production process, a mixture of quartz sand is fired with soda and crushed, this allows you to get a product, which then dissolves in water.
Foundation waterproofing
To form a reliable barrier against water, the surface is covered with liquid glass in two layers, each of them must dry well. This method is called coating and involves the further installation of waterproofing roll materials. Liquid glass waterproofing is often used when it is necessary to seal joints and cracks in concrete blocks and foundations. At the same time, sodium liquid glass is added to the cement mixture , and water and cement are additionally used for its preparation.
The composition of the waterproofing is used in a volume of 50 g per 1000 g of cement. For every 10 g of glass, approximately 150 g of water should be added. The mixture should be prepared in a small amount in order to use it out in a short time, because it freezes quite quickly.
Liquid glass waterproofing can be carried out on the basis of yet another technology, which involves adding a mixture to concrete for further pouring the foundation. To do this, prepare the following ingredients:
- cement;
- liquid glass;
- crushed stone;
- sand;
- water.
Specialist advice
Liquid glass is added in a volume of 5% of the total mass. Beforehand, everything should be prepared for pouring the foundation, for this excavation is carried out, formwork is installed and the reinforcing cage is laid. Sand is mixed with cement, water glass dissolves in water, and then the ingredients are combined and mixed. After adding crushed stone should immediately begin to fill the foundation.
Waterproofing of a well and pool
Liquid glass waterproofing may involve work in the area of wells and pools. The composition is suitable for external and internal waterproofing. In the latter case, the mixture is applied in several layers on the walls and floor of the pool. First you need to process all the recesses and joints. This approach allows for excellent sealing.
When conducting outdoor work, liquid glass acts as a component of concrete and reliably protects the pool from groundwater, ensuring the strength of the substrate. Waterproofing wells with liquid glass involves the preparation of a mixture of liquid glass, cement and sand, which are combined in equal parts. The resulting solution should process the joints and seams, and then the rest of the surface. In order to achieve a greater effect, previously the walls of the well are smeared with liquid glass.
Basement waterproofing
Owners of private houses with basements are faced with problems of water entering through the seams in the basement. An excellent solution to this problem is the use of liquid glass solution for waterproofing. If the seams are leaking, then at the first stage they must be cleaned of dust and debris. Next, a repair mixture of liquid glass and Portland cement is prepared in a ratio of 1 to 20. Water is added to the composition in such an amount that a thick sour cream is obtained.
The mixture is placed in seams and cracks, the surface is lubricated with water with a brush. After 24 hours, the treatment must be carried out with liquid glass. If the concrete walls are wet, then they are treated using the same technology, but the layer should be made thicker and denser. It is important to remember that the composition is prepared in small quantities so that it is possible to use it in the shortest possible time.
Additional instructions for using liquid glass
Waterproofing concrete with liquid glass can be done with a brush or roller. The first layer is left to dry for about 30 minutes. After you can proceed to the formation of the next layer. It is important to ensure uniformity of coverage - there should be no gaps. After that you can start applying the protective layer. To do this, prepare a solution of cement, which is used for plastering walls. Once the solution is ready, add glass to it and mix well.
In the next step, the surface is covered with a mixture. Today, the use of liquid glass is quite common, the instructions for its application by you must be studied. So, the solution, as an additive to which glass was used, there is no sense in re-diluting, since the material loses its properties. Application of the solution is usually carried out with a spatula with a sufficiently thin layer. The last step will be insulation, for this basalt wool or polystyrene is usually used.
Reviews on the properties of liquid glass
Before you start using the material described in the article, you need to become familiar with its characteristics. It is a potassium or sodium silicate. Lithium silicates are sometimes used, but this can be considered the exception rather. The characteristics of the final product will depend on the composition. According to consumers, potassium solutions have the quality of resistance to chemical and atmospheric effects.
But if the composition during operation will interact with minerals, it is better to choose a mixture based on sodium silicates. The latter will also contribute to the rapid hardening of cement. Interacting, these materials enter into a chemical reaction, during which sodium aluminate is formed. He acts as a catalyst for the hardening process.
Consumers emphasize that liquid glass, the application, the instructions for use of which are described in the article, has gained such popularity due to its high adhesive abilities. Thus, glass can be used to solve a wide range of problems. Contacting other materials, glass penetrates and fills the pores. The substance has fire-fighting characteristics, does not emit substances hazardous to health and has antiseptic properties. However, buyers emphasize that it is still important to avoid contact of the composition with the skin, because it has alkali among the ingredients. If you decide to use the material described in the article in the process, it is important to read reviews on waterproofing with liquid glass. From them you can find out that the mixture also has low thermal conductivity. This characteristic is relevant for thermal insulation in an industrial environment.
Consumption Information
Before you start applying the material to the surface, it should be diluted with water, using a ratio of 1 to 2. If you use this consistency, the approximate consumption of water glass for waterproofing will be 300 g per square meter. Using the Stekloizol mixture, you can process areas with weathered plaster or uneven concrete. This will create an antiseptic defense and strengthen the layer.
You can affect the concrete surface in different ways, using certain methods of applying the composition. Before applying liquid glass, it is necessary to prepare the surface, clean it, level it and degrease it. To impregnate concrete to a shallow depth within 2 mm, use a spray gun or brush. But if you plan to provide deep protection, then the glass is applied in several layers, in this case it will be possible to achieve an impregnation of up to 20 mm.
Conclusion
It is noteworthy that with the help of liquid glass it is possible to make a floor that will have an effective layer of waterproofing. Such goals can also be achieved by installing concrete as well as cement-sand screeds on floors and basements of the house. In this case, it will only be necessary to add glass to the solution, and the obtained composition can also be used for anticorrosion treatment. Such waterproofing is especially relevant in the case of pools, where the surface can be completely protected from leaks.