Waterproofing concrete is necessary in order to protect the material from the destructive effects of water. Recently, penetration waterproofing has been most common among all other varieties.
The need for waterproofing
Concrete only seems monolithic, but in fact it has pores through which water penetrates, destroying the elements of the reinforcement. A sign that the concrete was saturated with water is the peeling of the plaster and other decorative coatings, the occurrence of fungus and mold, as well as cracks. In order to avoid such phenomena, penetrating waterproofing is used.
The advantages of penetrating waterproofing
Penetrating concrete waterproofing has many advantages over other types of protection materials . If a comparison is made with gluing materials, they do not last long, in addition, water can penetrate the joints. And if you perform the work without observing the technology, then air may remain under the roll, which sooner or later will cause delamination and penetration of moisture. If we consider building bitumen, then it does not have sufficient ductility, which becomes the cause of cracks at the time of shrinkage of the base. Mastics, for example, although they have the necessary qualities of elasticity, but are subject to mechanical stress.
Penetrating waterproofing feature
Penetrating concrete waterproofing is unique in principle. Having a liquid consistency, it penetrates into the pores and fills small cracks.
The material is realized in dry form, it must be diluted with water, and then applied to the walls using a brush (you can replace the latter with a roller). However, if there is a desire to complete the work as soon as possible, it is recommended to use a spray gun.
After application, the liquid waterproofing merges with concrete, prolonging the life of the building. The material consists entirely of natural components, therefore it does not pose a health hazard. You can work with the composition both indoors and outdoors. Using it is extremely simple. After polymerization occurs, concrete acquires a single film, which is not afraid of mechanical effects. Excellent adhesive characteristics prevent the material from moving away from the base.
Among the positive features, the following abilities can be distinguished:
- protect concrete from moisture;
- extend the life of the structure;
- to strengthen the foundation that has just been erected;
- protect the fittings.
Area of use of penetrating waterproofing
Waterproofing concrete penetrating has found its wide distribution. In addition to external protection of the foundations of buildings, it can process the internal surfaces of the walls of the basement floors, waterproof the pools, process the concrete surfaces of bathrooms and kitchens.
Concrete preparation before waterproofing
The surface must be prepared, for this it must be freed from old paint, dirt, grease stains. It is definitely recommended to rid the base of the foci of the fungus, as well as mold, if any. If there is a weakly strengthened plaster on the surface, it is necessary to get rid of it, having processed it with a deep penetrating strengthening primer.
Liquid concrete waterproofing should be applied on a flat surface. Therefore, if there are cracks on the base, it is necessary to get rid of them, having initially carried out the jointing and treated with special penetrating formulations. Areas passing through the design of communication systems should be well sealed.
Application Features
If you have to work with a new concrete base, then the composition should be applied with a layer whose thickness is 1 mm. You can process communications that go out of the foundation and floor. It is recommended to use a brush in case of liquid composition. On sale there is such a waterproofing of concrete, which is intended for use with a spatula, which is advisable when the old foundation needs protection. It is necessary to apply a layer whose thickness is 2 mm.
There is a penetrating mixture designed to protect joints and also joints of concrete products. The material does not shrink. Before processing the seams, it is recommended to expand 2.5 cm in depth.
Penetrating concrete waterproofing can be represented by a repair mixture, which can eliminate faults and large cracks in the base of the house. It is necessary to use the composition in tandem with a reinforcing mesh. The thickness of the layer should be equal to about 10 mm, only then you can achieve a positive result.
Waterproofing Additive
In order to give concrete waterproofing qualities, special additives are sometimes used. They are presented as a dry composition. The consumption of the mixture is very small and equal to 1% of the mass of cement, which is used when mixing the solution. If you do not know the volume of cement, then you should use 4 kg per 1 m 3 of concrete.
The additive in concrete for waterproofing is used with a solution that is poured into after mixing with water. Initially, it is necessary to combine the additive with water, following the manufacturer's recommendations. As a rule, for 1 kg of the composition, it is necessary to use 0.75 liters of liquid. Mixing should be done within two minutes, using a drill set at low speed. Do not make such an amount of the mixture that you can not develop within 5 minutes. The prepared solution should be poured into the concrete mixer without stopping mixing for another 10 minutes. Only then can the mortar be poured into the formwork.
Such an additive in concrete for waterproofing, as a rule, can be used with other components, for example, plasticizing or antifrosty. You can choose the composition for waterproofing concrete with which it will be more convenient for you to work. Features of the main ones have been described above. But coating waterproofing of concrete, for example, does not have as many advantages as penetrating, therefore it is recommended to use the last of them.