For the construction of the foundation of any type of building, concrete structures are widely used. Due to the porous structure, concrete passes moisture well, which in a short time will lead to swelling of wooden coatings and deformation of finishing materials. Concrete reinforcement will begin to collapse.

Therefore, concrete waterproofing is an important and necessary stage in the construction of a house, which must be approached competently and responsibly. As a result of such work, the hydrophobicity of the concrete structure increases.

General rules

Regardless of the method you choose to protect concrete structures from moisture penetration, you must:

1. determine the level of groundwater;
2. determine the degree of swelling of the soil during the cold period;
3. take into account the likelihood of flooding during a flood;
4. take into account the operating conditions (for warehouses, the level of waterproofing should be much higher).

Materials for waterproofing

Floor

Polymer bulk waterproofing is well suited for this. It is a mixture of sand, cement and binders.

When the layer dries, a reinforcing mesh is laid on it and poured with concrete. When the structure dries, after 4 - 5 days, you can start working with the walls.

Walls

For applying penetrating insulation. Seams should be filled with sealant. To do this, use a solution based on polymers and a sand-cement mixture. After complete drying, you can proceed to the final finish. Previously, liquid glass was used to waterproof a damp basement from the inside, but its service life is incomparably shorter than that of modern materials.

Properly performed waterproofing will increase the hydrophobicity of concrete, protect your home from dampness, fungus and mold, and save supporting structures from the effects of an external aggressive environment. This will increase the strength and durability of the building.

Concrete waterproofing is a fairly simple technological process, during which the hydrophobicity of a cast or block structure is increased. In addition, waterproofing affects the frost resistance of concrete and the duration of the "life" of objects built from this building material.

Therefore, in this article we will consider typical methods for arranging waterproofing of concrete structures, offering our readers, as a bonus, an overview of insulators, with an analysis of their advantages and disadvantages.

The classification of waterproofing materials is most often built on the basis of the technology of applying an insulator to the surface to be protected.

And according to this principle, the range of such products is divided into the following types of insulating materials:

• Penetrating substances that work at the capillary level, clogging even microscopic cracks.
• Additives to the cement-sand mixture that increase the hydrophobicity of a cast structure or concrete block.
• Liquid compositions that paint the surface to be protected. Moreover, after “coloring”, the liquid hardens, forming a solid film impervious to moisture.
• Viscous compositions applied to the surface of concrete in a heated form, using a spatula. After cooling, the viscous composition partially hardens, and an elastic film appears on the surface, up to 2-3 millimeters thick.
• Roll and tile coatings glued to concrete (or otherwise fixed).

Advantages and disadvantages of waterproofing

Due to their physical and chemical properties, all of the above materials for concrete waterproofing have a unique list of advantages and disadvantages.

penetrating compounds

So, penetrating materials are famous for their effectiveness. They protect concrete from ground moisture, and from atmospheric precipitation, and from pressure breakthroughs. And in any case, penetrating waterproofing for concrete "works" at the capillary level - active substances dissolved in water, applied to concrete by staining, penetrate into microscopic pores and grow in them, nourished by moisture and chemicals contained in concrete.

As a result, all capillaries and microscopic cracks are filled with strong crystals growing deep into the material by 10-20 centimeters! And such protection does not suffer from accidental mechanical damage: after all, it is located inside a concrete wall, which is very difficult to destroy. At the same time, penetrating insulators also increase the frost resistance of concrete, guaranteeing the longevity of the entire structure.

The only drawback of penetrating compounds is the slow process of forming a protective environment. Crystals grow very slowly in concrete.

Waterproofing additives

Additives and additives in concrete for waterproofing cast or block structures function on the same principle. Only this time, not a 10-20 cm layer near the surface is protected, but the entire concrete casting or reinforced concrete. However, waterproofing additives make it necessary to select the concrete formulation more responsibly.

However, neither penetrating insulation nor additives provide 100 percent protection. Both options are just "draft" means that it would be nice to apply before the main defense.

Liquid waterproofing

Liquid formulations are famous for their high efficiency and ease of application technology. After all, liquid waterproofing of concrete is applied to the protected surface with an ordinary brush. Moreover, such a "frivolous" approach to the application process does not affect the effectiveness of the insulating composition.

The range of liquid insulators can be divided into solvent based formulations and aqueous emulsions. The first option involves the introduction of a hydrophobic base into an organic solvent. After application to the surface, the solvent evaporates, and the hydrophobic base remains.

The second option - aqueous emulsions of hydrophobic materials - works on the same principle. Moreover, the aqueous emulsion is not subject to shrinkage during drying, hardens faster and practically does not smell. Therefore, most buyers purchase liquid emulsions.

Coating waterproofing of concrete

Viscous mastics and multicomponent polymers with a complex composition are applied to the protected surfaces, both in a "cold" and "hot" state. Moreover, in cold application it is very similar to painting, and in hot application it is very similar to plastering the surface to be protected.

However, in both cases, a multilayer coating is formed from the coating compositions, into the structure of which reinforcing fiberglass meshes are introduced. Therefore, in contrast to the results of the use of liquid insulators, coating compositions guarantee the formation of a truly strong barrier with a high degree of elasticity.

Such an insulator is not afraid of any blows or chips. After all, the thickness of the insulating layer can reach up to 40 millimeters.

However, such dimensions are typical only for horizontal or inclined planes. On the vertical, only a 20 mm layer can be formed from the coated waterproofing.

Pasting materials supplied in rolls and slabs make it possible to form a waterproofing layer of any thickness. Moreover, in addition to hydrophobic properties, the insulating plate can also be endowed with heat resistance. As a result, a multifunctional coating is obtained, with the help of which the performance characteristics of concrete walls and ceilings are improved.

That's just such a product is much more expensive than conventional waterproofing. Therefore, in the format of glued materials, in most cases, the consumer is offered either polymeric membranes with one-sided permeability, or roofing material. These materials increase the hydrophobicity of concrete for a period of 5-6 to 50 years.

Of course, the most effective materials are more expensive and mounted on the wall with great difficulty. Therefore, adhesive insulation is carried out either by amateurs who are interested in forming a temporary barrier, or by professionals who are able to offer reliable protection that can “survive” the protected surface itself.

Waterproofing technologies

Modern technologies of hydroprotection allow increasing the hydrophobicity of concrete in several ways at once.

But most often, the following technologies are used to equip waterproofing:

• Impregnation of concrete with penetrating compounds.
• Coloring concrete with liquid insulators.
• Application of coating compositions to concrete.

Penetrating concrete waterproofing - Penetron and its analogues

The composition of Penetron assumes the following scheme for arranging a waterproofing coating:

Moreover, such a sequence of actions is practiced when handling all impregnating compositions.

Waterproofing concrete with liquid glass

Liquid glass can be used both as a penetrating waterproofing, and as an additive in a sand-cement mixture, and as a basis for "rough" insulation of concrete, carried out before pasting with polymer films.

The process of applying penetrating insulation has been described above in the text. The introduction of "glass" into cement is a very simple operation, which consists in mixing the substance into the finished solution.

And the “rough” insulation with liquid glass is done as follows:

Bituminous concrete waterproofing

Mastics and other coating compositions based on bitumen are applied to concrete in hot or cold form. Moreover, liquid emulsions are applied cold, and softened bitumen is applied hot.

The process of waterproofing concrete with bituminous mastics is as follows:

• Hot mastics are applied to a dry wall, and emulsions to a wet surface. Therefore, depending on the temperature of the insulating composition, the protected surface is cleaned of dust and dried (for hot mastics) or moistened (for emulsions).
• After preparing the surface, it is primed with a highly diluted water or kerosene emulsion - a primer. The purpose of this operation is to increase the adhesion of the surface.
• After priming, the mastic itself is applied to the surface, distributing it with a brush or sprayer. And first, the first layer is applied, on top of which a reinforcing mesh is glued. And after 5-6 hours, a second layer is applied to the “seized” surface of the first layer, and so on, until the dimensions of the insulating coating reach the desired thickness.

A similar technology works both when arranging a horizontal insulating layer on the surface, when the mastic can simply be poured onto the surface to be protected and leveled with a spiked roller, and when forming a vertical waterproofing layer, when the mastic is applied to the wall with a spatula, spray or brush.

When repairing or restoring concrete or plaster coatings, a penetrating concrete waterproofing is used. This material improves the quality characteristics of concrete and makes it moisture resistant. We will consider how to choose where to buy penetrating concrete waterproofing below.

Penetrating waterproofing of concrete: features and characteristics

Penetrating waterproofing is called a material, which includes Portland cements, fillers and active chemical additives. Salt elements of alkalis, alkaline earth metals or polymers act as additives.

The main feature of penetrating waterproofing is the principle of action of the solution: chemical additives applied to the surface penetrate deep into the concrete, while moving through capillary pores filled with water.

The function of protection against moisture consists in the interaction of calcium compounds, which are the main component of cement, with penetrating waterproofing additives, while the pores that are on the cement surface are reduced and do not allow water to pass through.

The scope of penetrating waterproofing applies to:

• repair and waterproofing of concrete surfaces;
• restoration of reinforced concrete structures;
• restoration of coatings of cement-sand composition.

In addition, the use of penetrating waterproofing is associated with waterproofing:

• concrete or brick basements;
• cellars;
• foundations;
• pools;
• terraces;
• garages;
• viewing pits;
• civil defense objects;
• water tanks;
• wells.

Elements, the main components of which are foam concrete, expanded clay concrete and other types of porous concrete and asbestos-cement materials, are unsuitable for applying penetrating waterproofing.

The main difference between penetrating waterproofing and roll materials is that waterproofing acts over the entire area and thickness of the concrete structure, and roll materials protect concrete only at the place of their installation. In addition, rolled materials are not able to endure constant contact with water, so their installation in pools and water tanks is inefficient. Penetrating waterproofing has an unlimited duration, and performs its functions until the concrete coating itself collapses.

Limitations in the use of concrete waterproofing

The use of penetrating waterproofing is becoming quite a popular process, but there are times when, due to ignorance or lack of experience, these materials are used in cases where their use is inappropriate. Therefore, we propose to consider cases in which concrete waterproofing is necessary.

The use of penetrating compounds is reduced to their use as one of several waterproofing options or the main waterproofing material.

In the process of waterproofing the foundation, which is constantly in contact with water, the use of roll-type waterproofing is not always effective. To further enhance the waterproofing characteristics of such structures, it is recommended to use penetrating waterproofing, which can provide internal protection against moisture.

The fundamental difference between penetrating waterproofing and its alternative options is its ability to penetrate into the thickness of concrete. Some types of penetrating solutions are capable of waterproofing concrete up to forty centimeters deep.

It is recommended to use penetrating waterproofing materials to protect concrete or reinforced concrete structures, to waterproof surfaces that are constantly in contact with moisture, in the process of waterproofing foundations, if the groundwater level is too high.

The main advantages of buying penetrating waterproofing materials:

• increasing the water-repellent characteristics of concrete structures;
• formation of a durable waterproofing layer throughout the entire thickness of the concrete product;
• the ability to work on internal and external parts of the structure;
• possibility of application on wet surfaces;
• no need to dry the concrete.

The main advantage in buying penetrating materials is their ability to protect the inside of the structure from external moisture. This explains the widespread use of this material in the restoration of premises, such as basements, in which there is no possibility of external waterproofing.

In addition to a large number of advantages, penetrating waterproofing is characterized by such disadvantages:

• concrete structures that have or are subject to the formation of surface cracks will not be protected from moisture, therefore the use of penetrating waterproofing is associated only with crack-resistant structures;
• provides only surface protection of brick buildings, since the brick does not contain the substances necessary for the reaction;
• not suitable for waterproofing porous concrete bases;
• not applied to foundation blocks.

The principle of action of the admixture in concrete for waterproofing

First of all, the waterproofing mixture is mixed with water, and covers the wet surface of the concrete base. The waterproofing effect occurs due to the fact that the pores of the concrete are gradually filled with a waterproofing solution.

Due to the fact that the composition of the material contains a large number of active chemical additives, they begin to interact with the elements in the concrete composition, in this case, a crystallization process is obtained, and a continuous barrier is created that makes the concrete moisture resistant.

The flow of the process of compaction of the concrete solution occurs due to the presence of water. If there is no water in the solution, then the process stops, in the presence of water, it resumes.

The penetration of waterproofing into concrete reaches thirty to forty centimeters. The presence of micropores, capillaries and microcracks filled with crystals increases the water resistance of concrete several times. At the end of this process, a concrete base is obtained, in the form of a compacted waterproof coating.

Penetrating waterproofing is rightfully referred to as unique materials, since in the process of concrete processing, with the help of these solutions, interaction occurs between chemically active substances and cement stone. As a result, an insoluble filamentous crystal coating is formed, which is resistant not only to moisture, but also to aggressive substances.

Structures that have been treated with penetrating waterproofing are resistant to chemical reagents, aggressive irritants, saline solutions, waste water and other aggressive components from the environment.

The use of penetrating waterproofing has a positive effect on the frost resistance of concrete, provides its protection from the effects of wind, mechanical shock, precipitation and prevents the process of oxidation of reinforced concrete reinforcing sections.

Crystalline compounds are characterized by the presence of tiny pores through which water does not pass, but at the same time, concrete does not lose its air or vapor permeability characteristics. Thus, the concrete coating “breathes”, but does not allow moisture to pass through.

Moisture is required to form crystalline bonds on the concrete surface, so a freshly installed concrete base is ideal for penetrating waterproofing materials to work. When working with dry concrete, it requires pre-moistening.

In addition, among the main advantages of penetrating waterproofing is present:

• compaction of the concrete structure;
• sealing cracks up to four millimeters;
• no need to treat the concrete base with a primer;
• resistance to puncture, separation or separation from the surface;
• no need for protection during backfilling.

The most effective is the use of penetrating waterproofing at a temperature of application of concrete structures from -30 to +10 degrees.

The use of penetrating waterproofing protects concrete from chemical attack, chlorides, and metal corrosion. At the same time, concrete is not exposed to moisture and ultraviolet radiation. Also, penetrating materials have good resistance, are resistant to stress, compressive strength and radiation resistance.

Penetrating concrete waterproofing: materials, selection process

Before you buy a penetrating waterproofing for concrete, you should read the recommendations that will help you choose the right type of mortar suitable for a particular stage of the waterproofing process.

The use of cement-based penetrating waterproofing is relevant when treating external walls, floors, basements, foundations, liquid storage tanks, sewage systems, tanks, tunnels, mines, wells, parking lots, technical buildings, water dams, pools.

We offer to consider the main manufacturers of penetrating waterproofing products:

1. "Osmosil" - Italian penetrating waterproofing. The material looks like a ready-made mixture based on the use of osmotic waterproofing cement, with a high-strength protective composition and with special filler impurities.

The use of "Osmosil" is associated with the implementation of internal and external waterproofing work on the processing of the foundation, the foundations of the building. It is recommended to use the material in the premises of mines, elevators, when arranging a drainage system and water tanks, when repairing a shower or bathroom. Application of the material is possible both from the inside and from the outside. "Osmosil" is applied to the base of a stone, concrete or brick composition. The main feature is the preliminary plastering of the surface. It is not recommended to use waterproofing on surfaces that are subject to constant shrinkage or vibration. In this case, it is recommended to add additives based on latex to the solution. The coating treated with this waterproofing material is recommended to be used in the temperature range from -35 to +85 degrees. Waterproofing work is carried out at temperatures above five degrees Celsius. The finished coating is subjected to loading not earlier than after two days.

2. "Hydrotex" - penetrating waterproofing, which includes sand, cement and penetrating additives. There are two types of this waterproofing: "Hydrotex" B - used for internal waterproofing, "Hydrotex" U - for external.

Scope of material:

• concrete and stone structures;
• concrete buried or semi-buried bases;
• basements, garages;
• vaults;
• tunnels, mines;
• sewer, water systems;
• swimming pools, water tanks, etc.

The developers of Hydrotex products claim that their materials are able to penetrate concrete to a thickness of up to one meter. Hydrotex is not used on stone-concrete structures, which are characterized by the absence of capillaries.

Features of the use of penetrating waterproofing

1. Basements.

Protecting the basement from moisture accumulation implies not only the use of good waterproofing, but also the correct construction of the walls and their support in the form of a foundation. The positive effect of penetrating waterproofing will be achieved if there are a minimum number of joints on the walls, materials will be introduced directly into the concrete solution, and the application will be both internal and external.

2. Potato storage.

If you do not provide protection from moisture at this object, then it will be filled with water and the potatoes will deteriorate. Therefore, in order to ensure high-quality waterproofing of potato storage facilities, it is necessary, during the construction process, to use special concrete slabs that have waterproofing characteristics or to take care of the organization of water resistance using special waterproofing materials.

The use of dry mixes makes it possible to prevent the formation of a film on the coating, since they are used directly in the solution itself and act around the entire perimeter of the concrete. The use of dry mixes is the best option for waterproofing such structures. The main advantage of such waterproofing is the absence of the need to dry the surface before application. The mixture is applied to a wet coating.

Such waterproofing is applied with a brush, and immediately interacts with the surface of the concrete. In addition, the solution contributes to the filling of microcracks, while the wall does not allow moisture to pass through, but allows air to pass through.

3. Foundation.

Foundation waterproofing is a necessary part of building a house. Since it is the foundation that is most exposed to the environment. Therefore, this part of the building requires protection from the effects of melt and groundwater, as well as from harmful substances from groundwater. At the same time, penetrating materials are absolutely harmless to people, but very effective for the building. It is recommended to use such waterproofing in the construction of buildings for any purpose, from public and industrial to private and social. Since the building has been in operation for more than a dozen years, even if the groundwater level is low during the construction of its foundation, after a certain time, changes are possible that, with poor-quality waterproofing, will significantly affect the entire building and lead to its destruction.

4. Wells.

The use of penetrating waterproofing when carrying out work to improve the water-repellent characteristics of concrete in the well allows you to start work without surface preparation, while there is no need for wall scraping, concrete wetting and waterproofing maintenance.

Concrete structures are considered to be the standard of strength. This has affected not only the priorities of builders in many cases, but even popular culture. The problem is that no mechanical strength allows buildings made of artificial stone and their individual parts to withstand the destructive action of water.

Peculiarities

Concrete waterproofing is often carried out during repair, construction and renovation work. The goal is to improve the quality parameters of the building and increase its resistance to water of various origins.

Along with roll materials, penetrating waterproofing is widely used. It does not stop the liquid on the way, but makes the thickness of the material impervious to it. The advantage of this option is the protection of the entire surface at once, the ability to guarantee cover even with continuous action of water (in a pool, reservoir).

Roll material is not suitable for permanently wet surfaces. But it also has advantages compared to penetrating solutions, such as:

• the ability to protect those walls and parts that already have cracks or may have them in the future;
• covering brick parts not only in the surface layer;
• protection of porous concrete;
• suitability for finishing the foundation.

The penetrating material is mixed with water and applied to wet surfaces. Waterproofing is provided by the systematic penetration of the solution into the pores. Crystallization forms a continuous strip of cover, which guarantees the resistance of the building to water. The depth of penetration of waterproofing under favorable conditions can reach 0.3–0.4 m. If initially there are microscopic pores and capillaries, as well as microcracks saturated with crystals, the treatment reduces the penetration of water several times.

Kinds

Coated waterproofing is now being used more and more actively and successfully replaces older solutions based on bitumen. Its advantage is that the formed coating initially has high adhesion to concrete surfaces and actually becomes one with them.

The most advanced coating variations provide pressure and tear resistance - they are suitable for protecting the walls of pools and reservoirs. Other positives are the following:

• the possibility of using in a recessed and basement;
• resistance to cracking under dynamic loading;
• passing steam outside;
• ease of installation;
• Can be used on wet concrete.

Cement coating is divided into plaster and penetrating. Its average consumption is 3500 g per 1 sq. m. m with a layer of 0.2 cm. Such coatings can be used to protect both vertical and horizontal structures. But mineral mixtures often lack elasticity, the ability to withstand vibration.

The additive of liquid glass is used for waterproofing concrete no less than cement compositions.

Such processing allows you to form a monolithic contour without a single seam, confidently resisting not only liquids, but also mold and other fungi. The glass version is suitable for geometrically complex architectural details and hard-to-reach areas. A small light layer effectively replaces several heavy windings at once. There is no risk of ignition, poisoning. The coating will not collapse even at high temperatures.

Glass protection is so effective that it is used in tropical and arctic conditions, and for volumetric pools.

But still there are weaknesses. Thus, the film formed by liquid glass is fragile and must be covered from the outside with other materials. You need to work with the mixture quickly so that it does not freeze prematurely. Therefore, along with liquid glass, other deep penetration waterproofing compounds are often used.

They work for the most part on three principles:

• osmosis (implementation of molecules in a diffuse way);
• Brownian motion;
• surface tension of liquids entering the capillaries of concrete.

The desired effect is also achieved due to various chemical reactions occurring in the thickness of the stone. But all this is interesting mainly to specialists, and for ordinary builders and home owners, it is important that concrete impregnated with special mixtures remains permeable to steam. Practice shows that penetrating waterproofing is equally acceptable for prefabricated and monolithic structures. It does not really matter and resistance to cracks - if only the grade of the material was not lower than M100.

Experience has shown that penetrating treatment is effective for the following:

• hydrotechnical and port complexes;
• foundations, cellars and cellars;
• fire tanks;
• elevator shafts, balconies, parking complexes;
• air passages between buildings;
• tunnels and bunkers.

Penetrating insulation can be made from dry mixes, on the basis of which a one-component binder solution is kneaded, or using ready-made liquid reagents.

Strictly speaking, liquid glass and liquid rubber belong to the same category. Dry waterproofing attracts the attention of builders because it does not require complex equipment or sophisticated work skills. The only exception to this rule are roll coatings. Dry mix concrete easily adheres to any surface, but after drying it may become cracked.

The solution version is formed from fractions less than 0.5 cm. The chemical base is quartz sand and some other mineral substances with polymer additives. In addition to protecting against water, such compounds help to make walls stronger. Again, the steam regime of the structure is not disturbed. With the help of mortar waterproofing, it is possible to insulate foundations to the depth of soil freezing.

The impregnating waterproofing system is attractive in that it can be used selectively on those structural elements that experience particularly powerful loads. It can be used both on completely new and already used objects. Most often, bitumen or synthesized resins are used for impregnation.

Attention: despite the relative simplicity of the method, the best results are achieved when using finished products made at the factory. With all the desire to provide comparable performance, using a sealant directly on construction sites does not work.

Scope of application

Waterproofing of concrete floor surfaces is mandatory for such elements as:

• gaps separating the strip base from the pillar foundation;
• load-bearing parts of the foundation;
• ceiling tiles.

Waterproofing is applied either from below or along external walls. In most cases, deep penetration mixtures are chosen. Their purpose is not limited to blocking the capillary movements of water, it is also important to strengthen the technological seams. In a number of situations, polymeric plaster compositions are used. Sometimes it is technologically justified to combine the treatment with mastic and the laying of rolls poured over the surface and penetrating into the thickness of the material.

Important: penetrating waterproofing requires great care.

Any manipulation with it is permissible only when wearing personal protective equipment, namely:

• impenetrable glasses;
• respirators;
• rubber gloves.

The presence of dust particles and efflorescence on the surface is unacceptable. Loose concrete is supposed to be knocked down. All seams and cracked places are covered with strobes so that in these areas the penetration is even deeper than in the whole wall.

The penetrating mixture is applied in two steps, with the second treatment being carried out when the initial portion has set a little, but has not had time to dry yet. Further, the finished surface will have to be continuously moistened for 72 hours. The slightest mechanical impact on it or a decrease in temperature to negative values ​​\u200b\u200bis unacceptable.

Protection against water of aerated concrete blocks and structures during outdoor work has its own characteristics. Aerated concrete absorbs moisture extremely intensively, much more than the main building materials. On the walls, the necessary degree of insulation is provided by plaster with a thickness of 0.8 cm. As with the preparation of other surfaces, it is very important to remove all dirt and foreign deposits. Profile tongues are cleaned as thoroughly as possible.

Aerated concrete must be primed before hydrophobic treatment.

The choice of composition for this purpose is determined mainly by the possible costs and the climate of a particular area. The primer is always applied at a minimum of +2 degrees. A prerequisite for success is the protection of cold joints in concreting. It is these areas, both in aerated concrete and in other varieties of artificial stone, that are the weakest links.

The choice of seam waterproofing method is determined by the following features:

• category of underlying soil;
• the magnitude of temperature differences (seasonal and daily);
• chemical aggressiveness of water;
• the magnitude of the load;
• seam mobility option;
• the quality of the building materials used, and so on.

You can use acrylate composition boreholes, waterstop, acrylic-based gel and other injection mixtures. Many experts prefer to use several options at once, but each combination should be selected individually for all houses. After all, any method of isolating a seam from water has both positive and negative sides. So, the dowels do not tolerate high hydrostatic pressure; only fixed seams can be protected with non-shrink mixtures.

If it is required to correct the problems that arose during the construction of houses from aerated concrete, foam concrete, or to carry out repairs without dismantling, injection techniques are recommended.

A special technique is needed for waterproofing the joints of the floor slabs under the laminate. Typical solutions are:

• pouring liquid materials;
• formation of a screed from waterproof concrete;
• roll layout;
• placement of polyethylene (from 50 microns only as an addition to other protection options).

Concrete bases are covered mainly with isolon, polyethylene foam, cork (alone and in combination with bitumen) or XPS.

Initially, all joints, intersections with walls and slab borders are cleaned. It is categorically unacceptable to leave loosened plaster or the slightest deposits of debris. Waterproofing is preceded by the application of a deeply penetrating primer. The overlap of the roll blocks is exactly 100 mm. For leveling bitumen, polymers or asphalt, spatulas with a wide blade are used. The run of polyethylene films on each other is 150 mm, without a polyethylene addition, no protection can be considered complete.

All screeds on the street are subject to mandatory waterproofing, because they are open to the weather. In those places where the groundwater level is very high, it is imperative to divert them, and make the screed itself as powerful as possible. Compacted clay is usually placed under the waterproofing layer. Bituminous materials are laid in three layers, when using polymer coatings, you can limit yourself to one line.

So that the operation of the building does not cause any discomfort, even at the construction stage, it is worth taking care of the waterproofing of the foundation. What is needed for this? To limit, and it is better to completely eliminate the impact of moisture in the structure. For this purpose, special materials for concrete waterproofing are used.

A bit of history

As the initial waterproofing, fat was used, which people received from the insides of animals. But due to the high cost, this material had to be replaced: the ancient builders began to use vegetable fats. The low cost of production and receipt, coupled with high rates, did their job, this material began to be used everywhere. The brightest representatives of this type of insulators are bitumen and tar. For concrete, waterproofing materials of this kind are of no small importance. They laid the foundation for the creation of coating and roll waterproofing technology.

Due to its ease of creation and application, such insulation is still very popular, although it is, of course, hopelessly outdated. Its manufacture is quite simple: vegetable oil is boiled mixed with tar. Today, new, much more modern impregnations with excellent protection indicators are used: silicone, polymer, acrylic, and so on.

As an alternative to oil-based impregnations, oligomeric insulations have been developed. Their compositions are dominated by refined products, with which there have never been problems in Russia. The properties are similar to engine oil, the composition, by the way, too. Protection in this case is carried out by the fact that carbohydrates are practically not wetted. The downside is that such protection is applied only on dry surfaces. Buildings that have been saturated with moisture during operation are not suitable for this kind of insulation, and the smell from it is not the most pleasant - it's still organic.

To eliminate the smell from the solvent from the walls, emulsions were created: in them, wetting particles of organic substances were scattered evenly throughout the solution. The essence of the functional operation of emulsions is simple: when it hits a structure with a wet surface, water sends drops of fat deep into. Inside the concrete, organic parts stick together, as a result of which it becomes waterproof. The most popular emulsions are silicones and acrylics.

Materials based on acrylic can hardly be called impregnations. A little polymer still remains on the surfaces in the form of a film. Acrylic-styrenes, metacreeps are "pumped" acrylic impregnations. This category includes "Polyrem VD-2624", "Ceresit CT17" and some others.

Water repellents are similar in their properties to the previous types of impregnations, but in fact they penetrate deeper into concrete and their film is much thinner. Silicone impregnations include silanes and silicones similar in properties. They contain elements of silicon. The differences in composition are quite significant, but in terms of functional action they are very similar. Silicone quickly combines with sand, glass, varnishes and other building materials. These impregnations are best used when applied to a horizontal surface. The most important advantage of impregnations, which are based on silicone, is that, by filling up cracks, irregularities and pores in concrete and brick, they form one whole with the building materials.

To date, the main and frequently used materials for concrete waterproofing are mixtures with a penetrating effect. Types of such insulation can be both liquid and powder, or in the form of a paste. Water-soluble waterproofing mixtures penetrate the structure to a depth of 10-13 centimeters, and create a crystallized structure there after contact with lime, without which concrete simply cannot exist. As a result, hardly soluble elements appear in the solution, directed inside cracks and other defects. The liquid, under the action of the tension force, simply does not have the ability to spread between the bundles of these elements. Such crystals occupy a very small part inside the pore, but perfectly protect it from moisture penetration. Thanks to these insulation properties, the concrete dries very quickly and becomes resistant to further exposure to moisture.

Trademarks of this type of insulation: Hydrotex, Viatron and others. In order to absorb the effects of moisture on cracks, joints and other defects, it is customary to use the materials "Penetron" and consonant with it by the name "Penecrete": they consist of sand, chemical additives and cement.

Coating insulation: properties

It may seem that impregnating and coating type insulations are similar in their qualities. But the mechanics of how they work is actually different. The impregnating insulation has a hydrophobic effect on cracks and other deformations. Coating waterproofing works directly on the surface.

Such materials for concrete waterproofing are distinguished by the following properties:

• increased adhesion to the processed material;
• high rates of water resistance;

There are many requirements and often they contradict each other: this predetermined the emergence of a huge number of types of insulation and other mixtures.

There are two types of this kind of waterproofing: organic and mineral. If cement is the basis, then such insulations are supplied dry, packed in bags or buckets. The working state of such a mixture is pasty, and to obtain this base, the dry composition is simply mixed with water. After preparing the mixture, you can begin work on its application. Latex components are used to enhance the astringent properties. Such insulation is called "two-component", it is sold as a kit (in different containers). "Sealing compositions" are also used: their task is to prevent emergencies. A big plus of such mixtures is their rapid hardening.

Bitumen-based materials are also quite popular. It has moisture-repellent properties, so it is suitable for concrete. Waterproofing materials based on it contain rubber or latex compounds (these insulations are called "modified mastic").

Roll materials for concrete waterproofing are also held in high esteem. They are represented by a bitumen-polymer base applied to fiberglass or non-woven material. The upper part is usually covered with a protective mineral powder, sand or a simple polymer film, for the lower part one polymer film is sufficient. The fiberglass base is characterized by increased elasticity, which provides greater stability with slight deformations. For example, polyester can easily elongate by 40%, and roll waterproofing based on this material is often used in structures that can potentially be subject to severe deformations.

Before applying a waterproofing layer to a particular base, the source material should be primed. The total number of waterproofing layers depends on the possible strength of the water load. On the Russian market today you can find domestic waterproofing brands such as Technoplast, Steklobit, from foreign products it is recommended to use polyethylene geomembranes from NAUE.

In addition to popular water-repellent mixtures, a large number of additives for concrete are often used for waterproofing (waterproofing materials of this kind improve the water-repellent and general physiological properties of the base). High-quality waterproofing mixtures of polymers begin their "strengthening work" after they are added to the concrete liquid, filling small cracks formed during hardening and possible hydro-tunnels. When choosing such additives, you need to focus on the technology of waterproofing application. Some dry mixes are used in combination with additional modifiers that increase the functionality of the substance (plasticizers, frost-resistant additives, and so on).

Information on the ratio of the dry composition of the mixture to water is usually placed in the instructions attached to the product, so it is difficult to make a mistake when diluting.