Supplement:New Trends in Construction Waterproofing
Waterproofing is the formation of an impervious barrier which is designed to prevent water entering or escaping from various sections of building structures. In simple terms, waterproofing is the science of keeping water out or in depending on
your application. Internal areas that are waterproofed include bathrooms, shower recesses, laundries and toilets. External areas waterproofed extend to roofs, planter boxes, podiums, balconies, retaining walls and swimming pools.
Waterproofing can be applied to various substrates and backgrounds such as: concrete, cement render, fibre cement sheets, gypsum boards, and timber. However this comes with a price. Do it- yourself kits run from 250 USD for enough materials to cover twenty feet to around 1,000 USD for ninety-six feet. That comes out to 10.50 to 12.50 USD per foot, plus your time and energy.
Professional installation will be about twice the cost. The first real need for waterproofing dates back to the days of Noah’s Ark. The 40 days of incessant rain inspired people to take some course of action to prevent water from entering their habitat. In the early days, people relied upon thatch, such as straw, reed, leaves and other dried vegetable matter as a barrier
against water entering their homes.
Waterproofing has come a long way since Noah's day. The discovery of oil, coupled with the advances of chemistry saw the arrival of numerous petroleum derived waterproofing products such as bituminous, butyl rubber, neoprene rubber, hypalon etc. Technological improvements and breakthroughs are occurring on a daily basis.
In recent times the construction market has witnessed a spurt in newer products and solutions in waterproofing to provide greater durability to construction rehabilitation and retro-fitment. There has been growth in demand for quality products due to the acknowledged hazards posed by water leakage. These products are providing longer life to structures and are evidently cost effective. Last year construction review covered the various waterproofing applications this year we look at the new trends in waterproofing
According to Akhil Kakkar, General Manager, South Asia, Kryton Buildmat Company Pvt. Ltd, the increasing cost of construction, led by escalating raw materials and labour costs, are driving project developers and owners both belonging to high-end, real estate and individual residential construction towards cost-effective waterproofing products.Water which enters from buildings can have immediate and long term undesired effects. Apart from damage to the buildings contents, structural damage is unavoidable if the problem persists. Water damage is second only to fire as a cause of building deterioration. Damp areas are a breeding ground for waterborne contaminants such as black mold. All kinds of mold can grow between walls and under padding of wet carpets; the worst kinds are the black molds. They are toxic and can cause death.
The newer products are being sought after for the sustained support of their waterproofing remedy initiatives in order to increase the shelf life of concrete, and hence, good returns on investment.
Accordingly, manufacturers are providing an assorted range of waterproofing products and solutions with competitive characteristics – both on quality and
pricing - for a range of applications.
There is an increasing need among project developers and owners to have long lasting quality concrete structures. This is making them to increasingly opt for waterproofing chemicals with advanced characteristics such as gels that expand and adhere to any leaking area upon contact with water. The increased demand for the products is also being led by more awareness to have a better quality living, arising out of the fact that water contains certain contaminant characteristics involving chlorine and sulphur. These chemicals can contaminate and corrode concrete reinforcement through prolonged leakage.
Water leakage hazards
There are multiple hazards that could be posed by water leakage. Drinking water facilities, wastewater treatment plants and water reservoirs are vital to communities they serve. The migration of water or contaminants in or out of these structures can have a significant impact on a community. Waterborne chemicals can contaminate a town’s entire water supply. Leakage from a wastewater treatment plant can pose an environmental risk, particularly if the tank is below ground where cracks can be difficult to detect. In areas with water shortage problems (or areas where water is scarce), even a small amount of leakage from a reservoir can be costly.
Innovative Waterproofing Products
Globalisation and increase in demand for quality products, has led to innovative solutions such as durable waterproofing membranes based on atactic polypropylene (APP), styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), ethylene propylene diene monomer( EPDM), crystalline waterproofing, polyurethane coatings and lastly, acrylic polymer-based cement coatings. Plasticisers used in concrete make the concrete dense, thus it contributes in making the concrete impervious.
Many products are available in the market and the essential requirements waterproofing materials should address are:
· Resistance it can impart to water absorption
· Preventing of water soluble salts, particularly chloride salts
· Penetration of waterproofing treatment to a measurable depth
· Non-staining of treated surface areas
· Long-term stability in an alkaline environment
· Low environmental and health risk
Ethylene propylene diene monomer( EPDM)
EPDM rubber (ethylene propylene diene Monomer (M-class) rubber), a type of synthetic rubber, is an elastomer which is characterised by a wide range of applications. The E refers to Ethylene, P to Propylene, D to diene and M refers to its classification in ASTM standard D-1418. It is also used as a medium for water resistance in high-voltage polymeric cable jointing installations, roofing membrane, geo membranes, rubber mechanical goods, plastic impact modification, thermoplastic, vulcanisates, as a motor oil additive, pond liner, electrical cable-jointing, RV roofs, and in chainmail applications.
Polyurethane coatings
Two-component polyurethane coating is a fluid applied polymeric waterproof coating which consists of two reaction components. One component is polyurethane monomer made from polyether and isocyanate through fasculation. The other component is a colourful liquid made up of a plasticising agent, solidified agent, thickener, coagulant and bulking agent. Prior to application, the two components should be mixed at a certain percentage. After fully mixing, the coat is applied by brushing on the substrate, which will solidify and become elastic, tenacious, and a lasting waterproof.
Crystalline Waterproofing
The revolutionary technology of integral crystalline waterproofing is changing the way concrete structures around the world are protected from the elements.
Kryton's Krystol® waterproofing systems rely on a revolutionary crystalline technology that turns porous concrete into an impermeable barrier. The result is a structure with reduced cracking, self-sealing and waterproofing abilities which provides a powerful defense against water damage and corrosion of reinforcing steel.
Acrylic polymer-based cement coatings
It is a consistently flexible acrylic polymer Portland cement coating composition that has an unusual shear bond (adhesive) characteristic and an unusually high abrasion and heat resistance capable of safe and economic manufacture and can be conveniently mixed to a desired consistency with water and used in coating many materials to provide a highly desirable weather, wear, and heat resistant coating that remains bonded to the substrate material despite flexing of the same. It incorporates sand, Portland cement, acrylic polymer, propylene glycol and a defoamer.
Concept of Waterproofing
According to Supradip Das, General Manager-Marketing, Buildtech Products India Pvt. Ltd, initially, the concept of waterproofing was not taken seriously by both contractors and clients. However, with the emergence of innovative and quality products, present-day costs are practically on a minimal.Buildtech manufactures a wide variety of construction chemicals and markets a range of waterproofing and construction chemical products. Their product range is quite wide. This includes acrylic (Buildcrete) and polyurethane coatings, chemicals for grouting, crystalline waterproofing, water reactive grouting materials and many others.
While mentioning the advanced characteristics of the products, Akhil Kakkar, General Manager, South Asia, Kryton Buildmat Company Pvt, informs “An innovative product line is also offered by Kryton Buildmat. Kryton International has developed a crystalline waterproofing system that transforms porous concrete into an impermeable barrier.” While Kryton is not the only company to provide integral waterproofing products, it is responsible for creating the world's first integral crystalline concrete waterproofing admixture and has been developing and improving its technology for over 35 years.
Kryton's Krystol™ Concrete Waterproofing System includes the company's flagship product, Krystol Internal Membrane (KIM®). KIM is a chemical admixture in a dry powdered form that creates waterproof concrete and protects against steel reinforcement corrosion. When combined with water and concrete, Krystol reacts with un-hydrated cement particles to form millions of needle-like crystals. These crystals grow and fill the naturally occurring pores and voids in concrete, permanently blocking water flow. If cracks form due to settling or shrinkage, incoming water triggers the crystallisation process again, even years after the concrete has set. More crystals grow, filling the new cracks and ensuring the waterproof barrier is maintained and protected.
Advanced waterproofing products are also produced by Asian Laboratories. The company produces integral water-proofers from concrete mortar, integral waterproofing polymer-based compound, heavy duty water-repellent compound, waterproofing and anti-corrosion coating system, and a polymer-based waterproofing coating.
Advanced waterproofing products are also provided by Apaar Enterprises which markets Xypex waterproofing solutions in India.
Apaar makes Xypex products available under the brand names, Xypex Concentrate, Xypex Admix C2000, Xypex Patch-n-Plug, Xypex FCM 60 and Xypex Xycrylic admix. According to Ashwini Kumar, the Managing Partner of Apaar Enterprises, “The Xypex products can be applied fast compared to other products, which makes construction schedule economical”
LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS
- Asian Laboratories
Dr Nidhish
Phone: 011- 26386063, 26386507, 26386392.
Email: asianlab@vsnl.net
www.asianlaboratories.com
2. Apaar Enterprises
Ashwini Kumar
Phone: 91-120-4090900
kumar@apaarenterprises.com
3. Kryton Buildmat Co. Pvt. Ltd.
Telefax: 0124 - 4381140-42
Email: info@krytonbuildmat.com, sales@krytonbuildmat.com
www.kryton.com
