A distinctive feature of the tape type foundation lies in its very name. It is a closed circuit - a "tape" (a reinforced concrete strip laid under the bearing walls). Through the use of a strip foundation, the resistance to the forces of heaving soil increases, while the risk of warping or subsidence of the building is minimized.
Strip foundation - photo of a freshly poured structure
It is this foundation that is built on dry or heaving soils. Moreover, the greater the weight of the future structure, the deeper the foundation is laid (sometimes even up to 3 m, depending on the depth of soil freezing and the level of groundwater).
These and other characteristics are regulated by GOST 13580-85 and SNiP 2.02.01.83.
GOST 13580-85. REINFORCED CONCRETE PLATES OF BELT FOUNDATIONS. Specifications. Download file
SNiP 2.02.01-83. FOUNDATIONS OF BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES. Download file
During construction, special attention is paid to waterproofing, since the strength, quality and durability of the structure will depend on it. In the absence of protection, groundwater and precipitation can significantly damage concrete, and the consequences can be the saddest - from permanent dampness to subsidence and cracking of walls. For this reason, do-it-yourself waterproofing of the strip foundation is one of the most critical stages.
Waterproofed foundation - photo
Below is the average depth of soil freezing in different regions. If your region is not in the table, then you need to focus on the one that is closest to the others.
Regardless of the chosen method of isolation (they will be discussed a little later), a number of technical requirements must be followed in the work.
- Be sure to take into account the level of groundwater, because the type of insulation depends on it.
- It is also necessary to take into account the conditions for the future operation of the facility (if, for example, a warehouse is being built, then the requirements for waterproofing will be more stringent).
- It is also necessary to remember about the possibility of flooding during large floods or precipitation (this applies in particular to loose soil).
- The force of "swelling" of the soil during frost also plays an important role (during defrosting / freezing, the structure and volume of water change, which can lead not only to the rise of the soil, but also to the destruction of the foundation).
The main methods of waterproofing
Waterproofing can be of two types - vertical and horizontal. Let's consider each of the options.
Important information! When constructing the foundation, you do not need to save money and abandon the sand "cushion". Sand is needed not only to prevent leakage of concrete, but also to prevent washing out of the structure.
It is performed even during the construction of the foundation, and additional time (15-17 days) may be required for preparatory measures. The main function of such insulation is to protect the base in the horizontal plane (mainly from capillary groundwater). An important component of horizontal waterproofing is the drainage system, which is equipped with a high level of groundwater.
It is worth noting that under the "tape" there should be a sufficiently strong base, on top of which a waterproofing layer will be laid. Often, a “cushion” of a slightly larger width is cast for this than that of the future foundation. In the absence of a need for high quality (for example, if the foundation is being built for a bath), it is enough to prepare a screed of sand and cement in a 2: 1 ratio. In Soviet times, asphalt screed was made, but today this technology is practically not used.
The horizontal waterproofing procedure consists of several stages.
Stage 1. The bottom of the pit, dug under the base, is covered with a sandy "cushion" about 20-30 cm thick (clay can be used instead of sand) and carefully compacted.
Stage 3. When the screed dries (it takes about 12-14 days), it is covered with bituminous mastic and a layer of roofing material is fixed. Then the procedure is repeated: applying mastic - fastening the roofing material. On top of the second layer, another screed of the same thickness is poured.
Stage 4. When the concrete hardens, the construction of the foundation itself begins, the surfaces of which are additionally covered with vertical types of waterproofing (they will be discussed later).
Important information! If the building will be built from a log house, then it is necessary to waterproof the top of the foundation as well, since the first crown will be installed there. Otherwise, the wood may rot.
Drainage
Drainage may be required in two cases:
- if the permeability of the soil is low and water accumulates rather than being absorbed by it;
- if the depth of the foundation is lower or corresponds to the depth of the groundwater.
The algorithm of actions for the arrangement of the drainage system should be as follows.
Stage 1. Along the perimeter of the structure - about 80-100 cm from the foundation - a small pit 25-30 cm wide is dug. The depth should exceed the depth of pouring the base by 20-25 cm. It is important that the pit has a slight slope in the direction of the water collector, where water will accumulate.
Stage 2. The bottom is covered with geotextile, while the edges of the material must be wrapped on the walls by at least 60 cm. After that, a 5-centimeter layer of gravel is poured.
Stage 3. A special drainage pipe is installed on top with a slope towards the water collector of 0.5 cm / 1 linear meter. m.
Laying pipes on geotextiles and backfilling crushed stone
Thanks to this design, water will flow into the drainage pipe, while it (pipe) will not become clogged. Moisture will be discharged into the water collector (it can be a well or a pit, and the dimensions depend on the inflow of water and are determined on an individual basis).
Prices for a drainage well
drainage well
Vertical waterproofing
Vertical type insulation is the processing of the walls of the finished foundation. There are several ways to protect the base, which are possible both during the construction of the building and after construction.
Table. Strengths and weaknesses of the most popular waterproofing options
| Material | Operational period | Ease of repair | Elasticity | Strength | Cost, per m² |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 to 10 years | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | About 680 rubles | |
| Polyurethane mastic | 50 to 100 years old | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ | About 745 rubles |
| Rolled bituminous materials | 20 to 50 years old | ★☆☆☆☆ | - | ★☆☆☆☆ | About 670 rubles |
| Polymer membranes (PVC, TPO, etc.) | 50 to 100 years old | - | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | About 1300 rubles |
Inexpensive and simple, and therefore the most popular way to waterproof the foundation. It implies complete processing with bituminous mastic, penetrating into all cracks and voids and preventing moisture from entering the house.
Important information! When choosing one or another bituminous mastic, pay attention to the marking - this will help you find out the heat resistance of the material. For example, mastic marked MBK-G-65 has a heat resistance (for five hours) of 65°C, and MBK-G-100 - 100°C, respectively.
Advantages of bituminous mastic:
- ease of use (can be done alone);
- affordable cost;
- elasticity.
Flaws:
- low speed of work (requires the application of several layers, which takes a lot of time);
- not the best water resistance (even high-quality application does not guarantee 100% protection);
- fragility (in 10 years you will have to re-treat the foundation).
The process of applying mastic is extremely simple and consists of several stages.
Stage 1. Surface preparation. Below are the basic requirements.
- The surface of the foundation must be solid, with chamfered or rounded (ø40-50 mm) edges and corners. Fillets are made at the transition points of the vertical to the horizontal - so the joined surfaces will be mated more smoothly.
- For bitumen, sharp protrusions are extremely dangerous, appearing where the formwork elements are joined. These protrusions are removed.
- Concrete areas covered with shells from air bubbles are rubbed with a fine-grained cement mortar based on a dry building mix. Otherwise, bubbles will appear in the freshly applied mastic, which will burst 10 minutes after application.
Also, dirt and dust should be removed from the surface, and then dried thoroughly.
Important information! Substrate moisture is a very important indicator and should not exceed 4%. At a higher value, the mastic will swell or begin to flake off.
Testing the base for moisture is quite simple: you need to lay a piece of PE film measuring 1x1 m on the concrete surface. And if there is no condensation on the film in a day, then you can safely proceed to further work.
Stage 2. In order to increase adhesion, the prepared base is primed with a bituminous primer.
You can go the other way and prepare a bitumen primer yourself. To do this, BN70/30 grade bitumen must be diluted with a rapidly evaporating solvent (for example, gasoline) in a ratio of 1:3.
One layer of primer is applied over the entire surface, two at the junction. This can be done with either a brush or a roller. After the primer dries, the actual mastic is applied.
Stage 3. The bitumen bar is broken into small pieces and melted in a bucket over a fire.
It is recommended to add a small amount of “mining” there during heating. Then liquid bitumen is applied in 3-4 layers. It is important that the material does not cool down in the container, because with one more heating, it partially loses its properties.
The total thickness of the waterproofing layer depends on the depth of the base pour (see table).
Table. The ratio of the thickness of the bitumen layer to the depth of the foundation
Stage 4. After drying, the bitumen should be protected, since it can be damaged when backfilled with soil containing debris. To do this, you can use rolled geotextiles or EPPS insulation.
Prices for bituminous mastic
bituminous mastic
Video - Insulation of the EPPS foundation
Reinforcement
Bituminous insulation needs reinforcement on:
- cold seams;
- junction of surfaces;
- cracks in concrete, etc.
Often, fiberglass and fiberglass are used for reinforcement.
The fiberglass material must be sunk into the first layer of bitumen and rolled with a roller - this will provide a tighter abutment. As soon as the mastic dries, the next layer is applied. It is important that the fiberglass material is laid with an overlap of 10 cm on both sides.
Reinforcement will provide a more uniform distribution of the load on the entire insulating strip, minimize bitumen elongation in the places of opened cracks and, as a result, significantly extend the service life.
fiberglass prices
fiberglass
It can serve as both the main protection and addition to the applied bituminous mastic. Usually ruberoid is used for this.
Among the advantages of the method should be highlighted:
- low cost;
- availability;
- good service life (about 50 years).
As for the shortcomings, this can only be attributed to the fact that one cannot cope with the work alone. The algorithm of actions should be as follows.
Stage 1.
Unlike the previous method, there is no need to carefully apply the material, since the mastic is needed solely for attaching the rolled waterproofing to the base.
Stage 2. Using a burner, the roofing material is slightly heated from below, after which it is superimposed on a layer of hot bitumen. Sheets of roofing material are joined with an overlap of 10-15 cm, all joints are processed with a burner.
Stage 3. After fixing the roofing material, you can fill up the foundation, because additional protection is not required here.
Important information! Roofing material can be replaced with more modern materials that are welded onto the base. These can be polymer films or canvases with bitumen-polymer coating (for example, Izoelast, Technoelast, etc.).
Prices for roofing material
ruberoid
Video - Waterproofing with roofing material
This method is extremely simple to perform and is used for waterproofing and leveling the foundation surface. Here advantages of plaster waterproofing:
- simplicity;
- high speed of work;
- affordable cost of materials.
Flaws:
- low water resistance;
- short service life (about 15 years);
- possible cracks.
There is nothing complicated in the application process. First, a putty mesh is attached to the foundation with the help of dowels, then a plaster mixture with hydro-resistant components is prepared. The mixture is applied to the foundation with a spatula. After the plaster has dried, the soil is poured.
In fact, it is a dispersion of polymer-modified bitumen particles in water. The composition is sprayed onto the base, providing high-quality waterproofing. Advantages this method are as follows:
- high quality waterproofing;
- no need for special skills;
- durability.
But there is also flaws:
- high cost of the composition;
- low speed of operation in the absence of a sprayer.
In addition, liquid rubber is not available everywhere. For the foundation, the same type of composition, which can be of two types, is quite suitable.
- Elastomix - applied in 1 layer, hardens for about 2 hours. Further storage after opening the package is not subject to.
- Elastopaz is a cheaper option, but it is already applied in 2 layers. What is characteristic, Elastopaz is subject to storage even after opening the package.
Stage 1. The surface is cleaned of dirt and debris.
Stage 2. The foundation is covered with a special primer. Alternatively, a mixture of liquid rubber and water (1:1 ratio) can be used.
Stage 3. After an hour, when the primer dries, a waterproofing material is applied (one or two layers, depending on the type of composition). It is advisable to use a sprayer for this, but you can use a roller or brush instead.
liquid rubber prices
liquid rubber
Video - Processing the base with liquid rubber
Penetrating insulation
On the base, previously cleaned of dirt and slightly moistened with water, a special mixture (Penetron, Aquatro, etc.) is applied with a sprayer, penetrating into the structure by about 150 mm. It is important that the solution is applied in two or three layers.
Main advantages:
- effective protection;
- the possibility of processing surfaces inside the building;
- ease of operation;
- long operational period.
Flaws:
- low prevalence of such solutions;
- high price.
Making a clay castle
A simple, but at the same time effective way to protect the base from moisture. First, a foundation pit is dug around the foundation with a depth of 0.5-0.6 m, then the bottom is covered with a 5-centimeter gravel or crushed stone "cushion". After that, clay is poured in several stages (each layer is carefully compacted). The clay itself will act as a buffer against moisture.
The only advantage of the method is the ease of implementation.
Clay castle is suitable only for wells and household facilities. If, for example, we are talking about a residential building, then this method can only be used as an addition to the already existing waterproofing.
This method of protecting the base appeared relatively recently and is as follows: mats filled with clay are nailed to the cleaned surface of the foundation using a mounting gun or dowels. The laying of mats should overlap, by about 12-15 cm. Sometimes special clay concrete panels are used instead of mats, then the joints in this case must be further processed.
Overlap - photo
In principle, screen insulation is an improved version of a clay castle, therefore it can only be used for household structures.
Summing up. Which option to choose?
The optimal option for waterproofing a strip foundation should include both horizontal and vertical waterproofing. If, for one reason or another, horizontal insulation was not laid during construction, it is better to resort to bituminous mastic or special plaster. But, we repeat, it will be most effective only in combination with horizontal type protection.
The foundation is the foundation of the house. The durability of the entire structure as a whole depends on its strength and safety. The foundation is affected by rain, groundwater and capillary water, as a result of which it sags and deforms. Concrete tends to pick up moisture well, which, rising up through the capillaries, penetrates the walls and floor, providing ideal conditions for the growth of mold and other fungi. Also important is the problem associated with the operation of concrete foundations in a continental climate, where freezing and thawing of water occurs annually. Water penetrating into the pores of concrete, which freezes and thaws inside, leads to the destruction of the integrity of the foundation. To protect your structure from the destructive effects of water, timely waterproofing of the foundation is required. Waterproofing measures taken at the construction stage will ensure the safety of the house. If you are still tormented by doubts whether to do or not to do, keep in mind that in the future, repairing the foundation will cost more than building a box at home, and it’s not worth talking about the laboriousness and complexity of the work.
The main load-bearing element of the house requires extremely close attention at all stages of construction, from calculations and installation to work on hydro and thermal insulation. To say that do-it-yourself waterproofing of the foundation is a simple matter, it means to be cunning. The technology itself requires certain knowledge and understanding of the processes occurring in the soil and in concrete, as well as in various waterproofing materials. Experience is also of no small importance, therefore, before waterproofing the foundation, it does not hurt to consult a specialist and take into account his recommendations.
The first thing to do is to decide on a set of measures for waterproofing. For this, a number of starting conditions should be taken into account:
- The level of occurrence of groundwater;
- The force of "swelling" of the soil in the post-frost period;
- Soil heterogeneity;
- building conditions.
If the maximum groundwater level is more than 1 m below the base of the foundation, then it will be enough to perform a coating of vertical waterproofing and horizontal using roofing material.
If the groundwater level is higher than 1 m from the base of the foundation, but does not reach the level of the basement or reaches it extremely rarely, then for high-quality waterproofing the set of measures will have to be expanded. Perform horizontal waterproofing in two layers with mastic between them. For vertical insulation, both the coating method and the pasting with rolled materials should be used. Depending on the budget planned for materials for waterproofing the foundation, it is possible to additionally treat all concrete elements of the foundation and basement with penetrating waterproofing, which stops the movement of water through the capillaries.
If the groundwater level is above the base of the foundation and the level of the basement floor, or the area in which the house is built is famous for frequent and heavy rainfall, which seeps into the ground for a long time and is difficult, then in addition to the previous list of measures, it is necessary to equip a drainage system around the entire house.
For waterproofing the foundation, the price will depend on the surface area that needs to be processed, on the set of measures, the type and quantity of waterproofing materials. In the easiest case, you will have to spend money only on bitumen. And in the most difficult - at the same time on materials for coating, roll, penetrating waterproofing and on the arrangement of drainage or a pressure wall.
For a tape and monolithic (solid) foundation, horizontal waterproofing is carried out in two places:
- At the level or lower by 15 - 20 cm of the level of the basement floor;
- In the basement and at the junction of the foundation with the wall.
Important! Horizontal waterproofing can only be done at the stage of building a house, so take care of it in time.
Before starting all work on arranging the foundation and basement, it is necessary to fill the bottom of the pit with greasy clay with a layer of 20 - 30 cm, and then carefully compact it. Concrete is poured from above with a layer of 5 - 7 cm. It is necessary in order to equip the waterproofing under the foundation. Before laying the waterproofing, the concrete must be dry and well set for at least 10 to 15 days. Next, the concrete is carefully coated with bituminous mastic over the entire area, and the first layer of roofing material is laid on it. Then the surface is again coated with mastic and another layer of roofing material is laid. A 5-7 cm layer of concrete is poured on top, which must be leveled and ironed.
Important! Ironing also refers to measures that provide waterproofing. It is done according to this technology: after 2 - 3 hours, cement, sifted through a fine sieve, is poured on top of freshly poured concrete with a layer of 1 - 2 cm. Then it flattens out. After some time, the cement should get wet from the moisture contained in the concrete. Further, the surface is treated in the same way as with a conventional concrete screed - from time to time it is moistened with water until the concrete reaches strength and dries.
After completing the arrangement of the strip or pile foundation, it must also be waterproofed so that moisture does not rise up into the walls. To do this, the surface is opened with bituminous mastic, and roofing material or other rolled material is laid on top. The procedure is performed twice to get two layers. The edges of the roll material hanging from the foundation are not cut off, but wound down and then pressed against the vertical waterproofing.
Drainage system device
Depending on the level of groundwater and the structure of the soil, the foundation waterproofing device may require the mandatory presence of a drainage system that will collect and drain excess atmospheric and groundwater into a separate well. Basically, such a need arises with high groundwater and poor soil permeability.
To equip the drainage system, it is necessary to dig a trench along the perimeter of the object at a distance of at least 0.7 m from it. The depth depends on the level of the water table. Width - 30 - 40 cm. The trenches should be located with a slight slope towards the collecting well or pit. We lay geotextiles at the bottom, wrapping the edges on the sides of the trench by 80 - 90 cm. We fill in gravel or crushed stone with a layer of 5 cm along the entire length of the trench. Then we lay perforated drainage pipes with a slope of 0.5 cm for each linear m. We fill the gravel with a layer of 20 - 30 cm, after washing it so as not to clog the pipes. Then we wrap everything in the remaining edges of the geotextile. We bring the pipes into the collecting well. We fall asleep with soil.
The drainage system can be completed after the construction of the house is completed, or even after some time during operation, if such a need is identified.
Foundation vertical waterproofing
To perform waterproofing of the vertical surface of the foundation, you can use various materials, combining them with each other. From the options below, you can use one or more at once, depending on the individual conditions of construction.
The cheapest option to this day is the coating waterproofing of the foundation using bituminous resin. To do this, we buy bitumen, most often it is sold in bars.
Pour 30% used oil and 70% bitumen into a large container (pot, bucket, vat). The container must be heated, for this we make a fire under it or put it on a gas stove. When the bitumen is heated to the state of a liquid mixture, you can begin to apply it to the surface, which must be pre-leveled.
With a roller or brush, we apply bitumen to the surface of the foundation, trying to coat everything thoroughly. We begin to coat from the very sole of the foundation and finish at 15 - 20 cm above the soil surface. We apply 2 - 3 layers of bitumen so that the total thickness is 3 - 5 cm.
Important! All this time, the container with bitumen must be hot so that it does not freeze.
Bitumen penetrates and fills all the pores of concrete, preventing moisture from entering it. Will last 5 years - a relatively long time. Then it will begin to collapse and crack, letting water into the concrete.
To extend the service life of coating waterproofing, bitumen-polymer mastics can be used, they are devoid of the disadvantages of pure bitumen and are more durable. The market can offer both hot and cold applied mastics, as well as polymer solutions that have a rigid or liquid consistency. The methods of applying such materials can be different: using a roller, spatula, float or sprayer.
Pasting waterproofing of the foundation with rolled materials
Roll waterproofing materials can be used both separately and in addition to the coating method.
The most common and relatively cheap material for gluing insulation is roofing material. Before fixing it on the foundation surface, it must be treated with a bituminous primer or mastic, as in the previous method.
Then we heat the roofing material sheets with a gas burner and apply it to the vertical surface of the foundation with an overlap of 15 - 20 cm. This method is called fusing. But it is also possible to fix the roofing material with the help of special adhesive mastics. From above we again cover with bituminous mastic and glue another layer of roofing material.
Important! Before fusing the roofing material, it is necessary to turn the edges of the horizontal waterproofing down and press down, fusing the roll material from above.
Instead of roofing material, you can use more modern roll materials: TechnoNIKOL, Stekloizol, Rubitex, Hydrostekloizol, Technoelast or others. Their polymer base is polyester, which increases elasticity, wear resistance and improves performance. Despite the higher price compared to roofing material, these materials are recommended to be used for foundation waterproofing. But they will not be able to provide sufficient coating strength without mastic treatment, since they do not penetrate into the pores.
Instead of pasting waterproofing, you can use liquid rubber, which has good adhesion to the base, is durable and non-flammable. And most importantly, the surface is seamless, which provides better protection. If the waterproofing of the foundation is done manually, on your own, then one-component liquid rubber, for example, Elastopaz or Elastomiks, will do.
Material consumption per 1 m2 is 3 - 3.5 kg.
Elastopaz applied in layers, in two layers, drying will take at least 24 hours at a temperature of +20 °C. Sold in buckets of 18 kg, cheaper than Elastomiks. If the bucket is not completely used up, it can be sealed tightly and used later.
Elastomics applied in one layer, drying will take no more than 2 hours at a temperature of +15 ° C. Sold in buckets of 10 kg, more expensive than Elastopaz. If the bucket with Elastomix is not completely used, the mixture cannot be stored, as the adsorbent-activator, which is added to the mixture before use, will cause the contents of the bucket to turn into rubber within 2 hours.
Which of the materials to choose depends on the preferences of the owner and the time frame for execution. Before applying liquid rubber, the surface must be dedusted and treated with a primer. After an hour, apply liquid rubber with a roller, spatula or brush according to the instructions on the package.
A surface treated with liquid rubber may require protection from the elements if the backfill contains rocks or debris. In this case, the foundation must be covered with geotextile or a pressure wall must be equipped.
Penetrating foundation waterproofing
Penetrating waterproofing is called materials, the substances of which are able to penetrate into the structure of concrete by 100 - 200 mm and crystallize inside. Hydrophobic crystals prevent water from penetrating into the concrete structure and raising it through the capillaries. Concrete corrosion is also prevented and its frost resistance is increased.
Materials such as "Penetron", "Aquatron-6" and "Hydrotex" refer to penetrating anti-capillary waterproofing, differ in penetration depth and application method. Most often, internal concrete surfaces of the foundation, basement or basement are processed with such materials.
Penetrating waterproofing is best applied to wet concrete. To do this, the surface is first cleaned of dust, and then thoroughly moistened. We apply the material in several layers. After it is absorbed, the outer film can be removed.
For leveling and at the same time waterproofing the vertical surface of the foundation, you can use special plaster mixtures with the addition of moisture-resistant components: hydro concrete, polymer concrete or asphalt mastics.
Plastering is carried out using the same technology as plastering walls on lighthouses. To prevent cracks from appearing for a long time, it is recommended to apply it in a hot way. After drying, the plaster layer must be protected by performing a clay lock and backfilling with clay.
Screen waterproofing of the foundation
In fact, this method is a modern replacement for a clay castle. To protect the foundation from aggressive pressure water, bentonite mats are used, which are based on clay. By the way, they can be used in addition to other methods of waterproofing. Clay mats are fixed to the treated foundation with dowels. They are laid with an overlap of 15 cm. Then a pressure wall made of concrete is installed next to it, which will serve as an obstacle that does not allow the mats to swell.
During operation, the paper component of the mats is destroyed, and the clay is pressed into the surface of the foundation, performing a protective function.
The clay castle is also designed to prevent pressure water from reaching the foundation. To do this, a trench of 0.6 m is dug around it. A layer of rubble is poured into the bottom. Then the bottom and wall of the trench are rammed with greasy clay in several layers with breaks for drying. The remaining space is covered with either gravel or clay, and a blind area is equipped on top.
During spring floods, clay will not let water through to the foundation, and the lower moisture will leave through a layer of rubble.
Foundation waterproofing is a responsible business. In this article, we have considered only the most common methods. If you decide to do all the work yourself, remember that the main thing for the success of the business is to choose the right materials and the necessary activities. Then the foundation will last a long time and will not require costly repairs.
Drainage of the land plot is the most important stage in the preparation of the territory for construction. The use of drainage pipes significantly speeds up and simplifies the installation of drainage systems. Drainage pipes are necessary to drain water with a high level of groundwater.
As the practical experience of users shows, it is not enough to build a strong house. In order for your home to become truly comfortable and serve you faithfully for many years, it must be protected from the damaging effects of groundwater and precipitation. And this requires reliable waterproofing.
So let's try to figure it out:
- For what ?
- What can lead to the failure of waterproofing?
- What is included in the package of measures for waterproofing a house?
- What are the types of modern waterproofing materials?
- In what cases should one or another type of waterproofing be used?
- How to protect waterproofing during backfilling?
- What areas need waterproofing?
- What is roof waterproofing and how is it done?
What is waterproofing for?
The main purpose of waterproofing is to protect buildings and structures from the negative effects of water. The purpose of waterproofing is to increase the life of the house and improve the quality of its operation.
Company director "Kalmatron-SPb"Elena Merzlyakova:
- Waterproofing of a building cannot be done with any one material, even the best. Waterproofing is always a complex of measures.
For example, basement waterproofing might include:
- Waterproofing of floors and walls;
- Waterproofing of junction points;
- Waterproofing of technological seams of concreting;
- Waterproofing of expansion joints, places of input of communications and horizontal cut-off;
- The device of drainage ditches and blind areas.
The choice of technology and materials in each case is strictly individual and depends on the specific operating conditions of the object, its condition, location, and materials from which it is made.
Corporation Expert " TechnoNIKOL"Andrey Zubtsov:
- Water, penetrating into the underground part of the house, reduces its operational properties and worsens the microclimatic conditions in the premises located in the underground part of the structure.
In addition, water penetrating into building structures causes corrosion of reinforcement and destruction of concrete, which worsens the static properties of the structure and, ultimately, leads to its destruction.
Company technical specialist Sika Nikolai Mikhailov:
- Waterproofing, made only from the inside, removes the problem of dampness in the basement. But if the outer part of the structure remains in constant contact with water, this will lead to its premature destruction. Therefore, it is important to waterproof the outside as well.
The set of measures for waterproofing includes:
- Waterproofing of communication inputs;
- Wall or deep drainage device.
The need for certain measures is dictated by the type of soil, groundwater level, landscape features and other natural factors.
Foundation waterproofing is the basis of everything
The foundation is the foundation of any structure. The stronger and better, the more reliable and safer the structure or building itself. The main building material for the device is concrete. Many developers believe that since concrete is a strong enough material in itself, waterproofing is useless. But is it really so?
Elena Merzlyakova:
– It must be remembered that concrete is quite hygroscopic and absorbs moisture well, which leads to leaching over time. As a result of leaching, the porosity of the cement stone increases and its strength decreases. The process is accelerated if “soft” water or pressurized water acts on the cement stone.
The main means of combating the leaching of calcium hydroxide is the use of dense concrete and the introduction of active mineral additives into the cement. If problems with water permeability have arisen in an already constructed and operated structure, then the use of penetrating waterproofing will be an effective remedy.
The use of penetrating waterproofing compositions eliminates the possibility of water filtration through the body of the concrete structure.
Andrey Zubtsov:
- Concrete itself is a fairly good waterproofing material. But in order for concrete to show its waterproofing properties, it is necessary to follow a few simple, but, as practice shows, very difficult rules. Namely:
- The design of the foundation must not allow the formation of cracks under load.
- The entire volume of concrete must be poured in one technological cycle without "cold" seams.
Precast concrete from FBS blocks definitely needs additional protection.
- All technological seams must be sealed without fail using swelling cords, sealants, waterstops, etc.
- Working fittings must be installed in strict accordance with the project
- It is necessary to carefully vibrate the already laid concrete.
- It is important to take care of the concrete.
It is necessary to cover freshly laid concrete with wet burlap and spill it with water every 2-3 hours (even at night) for three to five, and in hot weather - seven days.
But is it possible in some cases to do without waterproofing the foundation?
Nikolai Mikhailov:
- You can, if you are not going to use the basement and do not count on the long life of the foundation. For example, a strip foundation for a garage or a barn can be done without waterproofing, nothing will happen to such a foundation in 10-15 years.
Types and types of modern waterproofing materials
Modern waterproofing materials can be divided into three large groups by origin - these are polymeric, bituminous and mineral materials.
According to the method of application, waterproofing materials are made on coated, rolled free-laying membranes, rolled welded and liquid applied materials.
Elena Merzlyakova:
– It is important to know that materials that provide waterproofing are designed to solve specific problems.
- Roll waterproofing.
Traditionally, rolls have a cardboard base impregnated with waterproofing materials (roofing material, glass roofing material).
- Mastics are adhesive plastic compositions based on organic binders and dispersion fillers.
The most famous are cold and hot mastics on oil bitumen.
- Powders.
Mixtures based on cement, synthetic resins and various additives (plasticizers, hardeners). They are sold dry and mixed directly at the work site.
Mixes based on silicones, ester compounds, silicic acids and organic solvents, which, unlike "ordinary" external waterproofing materials, are "absorbed" by concrete surfaces.
- Films.
Basically, they are divided into polyethylene films, polypropylene films and membranes.
- Injection waterproofing.
It is carried out by injecting a binder material into the seams, cracks of building structures or into the soil adjacent to them. They are usually used for repairs.
- Penetrating waterproofing.
The components applied to the concrete surface penetrate deep into the concrete through its pores and capillaries even against high hydrostatic pressure. These formations, densely filling all the pores and microvoids, compact the concrete structure, thus ensuring reliable water tightness.
The service life of the penetrating materials is equal to the life of the concrete itself.
materials "penetrating waterproofing" are best suited for the repair and waterproofing of concrete and reinforced concrete products and structures, as well as cement-sand plaster coatings.
But in what cases is it necessary to apply one or another type of waterproofing?
Elena Merzlyakova:
– The choice of material for waterproofing depends on a number of factors, for example:
- Characteristics of the aggressive environment affecting the building structure;
- Operating conditions of the structure;
- Type of construction;
- climatic conditions;
- Results of engineering-geological surveys;
- The probability of mechanical or thermal impact on the structure.
Andrey Zubtsov:
- If the structure is buried in the ground, then in any case it must be waterproofed. Even if your water table is low enough, there can be showers, floods and snowfalls. And groundwater levels can change over time.
Nikolai Mikhailov:
– Mineral waterproofing is suitable for simple-shaped structures that are not prone to cracking. In general, mineral and bituminous coating materials are suitable for waterproofing foundations up to two buried floors. For more serious structures, complex geological conditions and greater reliability, it is advisable to make waterproofing from polymer membranes.
But in addition to protecting the foundation, waterproofing is needed for rooms that are constantly in contact with water.
For example:
- Waterproofing of balconies and terraces is carried out using mineral waterproofing materials, on which tiles can be laid using mineral or polymer tile adhesives.
There are also polyurethane-based waterproofing materials that can combine the function of waterproofing and elastic bonding of tiles.
- For waterproofing wet rooms, first of all, it is necessary to first find out and eliminate the cause of water penetration. Most often, weak points of structures flow, such as concreting work joints, structural and expansion joints.
Seams are waterproofed by injection of polymeric materials or by waterproofing tapes glued to the surface of the concrete structure. After that, it is necessary to waterproof the floor and walls of the room using cement-based waterproofing.
Methods of laying and applying waterproofing
According to the method of application, waterproofing materials are divided into coating, rolled free-laying membranes, rolled welded, as well as liquid application materials.
Nikolai Mikhailov:
– Coating, spraying and welding materials require mandatory mechanical surface preparation. They can only be applied on substrates that have the necessary strength and, as a rule, at temperatures above +5 degrees.
Sandblasting, high-pressure water treatment or mechanical preparation using power tools are used as preparation of the base.
Andrey Zubtsov:
– Surface preparation before applying waterproofing membranes is one of the most important, and often the most complex and time-consuming technological operation.
Since concrete is the most common building material, surfaces made of concrete and reinforced concrete are most often subject to preparation, less often of brick and natural stone.
The quality of surface preparation depends on the material used as a waterproofing membrane. It is possible to single out the main requirements for the quality of preparation of concrete and reinforced concrete surfaces:
- Absence of loose easily exfoliating elements;
- The absence of cracks (especially parallel to expansion joints), chips and shells, areas of non-vibrated concrete;
- Smooth surface geometry;
- Removal of all contaminants and materials preventing adhesion (dirt, dust, cement laitance, formwork lubricant, etc.).
If the requirements for surface preparation are not met, the quality of the waterproofing membrane and the entire waterproofing system will be poor.
Waterproofing protection
Since waterproofing, as noted above, includes a whole range of measures, it is very important to protect the waterproofing layer when backfilling the foundation.
Elena Merzlyakova:
– The waterproofing layer, as a rule, must be protected from mechanical damage, chemical attack, ultraviolet radiation, etc.
First of all, mechanical protection of the waterproofing is necessary before backfilling the soil of the excavation, as there is a risk of damage to the waterproofing by mechanisms, stones and construction debris.
Various methods are used to protect waterproofing:
- The device of retaining or protective walls made of brick or reinforced concrete;
- Plastering or protective screeds from cement-sand mortar;
- Fastening or gluing various materials: profiled membrane, asbestos-cement sheets, extruded polystyrene foam boards, etc.
Penetrating waterproofing does not require protection, since its principle of operation is based on the penetration of the chemically active part of the composition deep into the concrete and the formation of sparingly soluble crystals in pores and microcracks, thereby forming a homogeneous, monolithic structure with the concrete itself.
Andrey Zubtsov:
– Flexible waterproofing membranes differ from rigid ones by the presence of such an indicator as flexibility, or relative elongation at break. It is expressed as a percentage and means that with various kinds of movements and deformations that may occur in the foundation, the flexible waterproofing membrane will retain its integrity. But flexible membranes additionally need to be protected. Rigid waterproofing membranes do not need additional protection, but they cannot maintain integrity during foundation movements and deformations.
Nikolai Mikhailov:
– It should be remembered that no protection will save the waterproofing from backfilling made with frozen soil and soil containing construction debris and stones.
Roof waterproofing
Roof waterproofing is an indispensable element in the construction of any building. In order to prevent the roof of your house from leaking, it must be waterproofed. But it has its own peculiarities and secrets.
Corporation Expert "TechnoNIKOL" Anastasia Pokachalova:
– When installing roof waterproofing, it is extremely important to pay attention not only to the quality of the material, but also to the quality of the installation of the waterproofing coating, and to the correct design of the roof.
Construction specialists from Germany received the following figures:
- 45% of problems with a roof are caused by its poor-quality installation;
- 34% of errors are due to bad design;
- 7% of problems are due to damage to the roof during construction;
But only
- 14% are due to deterioration of the material or the use of unsuitable roofing materials.
If the roof waterproofing is installed incorrectly, the developer risks losing all the advantages of the material he has chosen.
The choice of waterproofing material for the roof is influenced by the following factors:
- fire safety requirements.
Because waterproofing materials differ in fire hazard class.
- Roof area and type of foundation.
- Type of use - operated or non-operated roof, and the degree of its load.
- The frequency of operation and maintenance of the roof.
- roofing cost.
- Climatic features that affect the life of the roof.
To choose a waterproofing material that is suitable for your type of roof, you need to take into account the technical features and types of waterproofing.
Among the modern materials for roof waterproofing, the following can be distinguished:
- bituminous materials.
- Polymer materials based on PVC.
The basis is high-quality plasticized polyvinyl chloride, which includes plasticizers (up to 35%) and various additives (up to 8%).
- Polymer materials based on TPO.
- EPDM materials.
The base is synthetic rubber.
- Sprayed roofs.
Let's consider each of the materials separately.
Bituminous materials:
- Well suited for residential buildings where access to the roof is unlimited.
- Basically, they require laying in two layers, and this leads to an increase in the installation time of the roofing carpet.
Anastasia Pokachalova:
- It must be remembered that the combustibility group of this material is G3 / G4, which means that with roofs of a large area, fire belts or gravel backfill are required.
PVC membranes:
- The combustibility group is G1/G2, which means that it is possible to use PVC membranes with an area of up to 70,000 sq.m without additional fire prevention measures.
- Installation can be done quickly, regardless of the season and on roofs with any slope: from 0 to 90 degrees.
Anastasia Pokachalova:
- Among the features of this material, high vapor permeability can be distinguished - PVC membranes are able to remove excess steam pressure from under the roof space into the atmosphere.
This property of polymer membranes allows them to be widely used in the reconstruction of old roofs without dismantling the existing roofing pie.
EPDM membranes:
- They are highly resistant to aggressive chemicals.
The choice of EPDM membranes is justified if your home is located near a plant that produces chemicals.
And in order for the EPDM membrane to provide good waterproofing of the roof, the following features must be taken into account.
Anastasia Pokachalova:
– The service life of the carpet is determined by the quality of the seam, not the membrane itself. The average service life of glued joints does not exceed 10 years. It is possible to ensure reliable connection of sheets by vulcanization with a strip of raw rubber. At the same time, it is necessary to observe the continuity of the process, to ensure that there are no gaps in the application of reagents and contamination on the seam.
The temperature minimum for installation is +5 degrees, since this temperature is the working temperature for sealants, adhesives and adhesive tapes.
But when choosing such a roof waterproofing, you need to know that:
- EPDM membrane requires additional measures for the construction of a "breathing" roof.
- The EPDM membrane gets very hot in summer due to its black color.
Sprayed roofs
Anastasia Pokachalova:
- This is the most expensive way to waterproof the roof. But it allows you to waterproof the roof, containing a large number of penetrations on the surface.
The features of such waterproofing include:
- Increased requirements for the qualification of the master performing the installation work.
- The composition for spraying is prepared directly at the construction site.
And the quality of the sprayed material largely depends on weather conditions and compliance with the manufacturer's instructions for storage, transportation and preparation of the mixture.
- When spraying several layers, it is necessary to wait for the complete drying and polymerization of the previous layer, which increases the construction time.
- It is necessary to pre-prepare the base and clean it from dirt and moisture.
When applied to an unprepared surface, the service life of such a roof is rapidly reduced.
- When installing roofs of a large area, it is necessary to install fire belts or use gravel backfill.
Thus, when installing a waterproofing system, every detail must be taken into account, and the system itself includes a whole range of various installation and construction works and materials. And only taking into account all of the above factors, you can build a truly comfortable and reliable home.
Do you need waterproofing strip foundation? The answer to this question users can find our forum. You can read a detailed and visual story of our forum member about how he poured concrete under the foundation just into the ground. And in our forum there is a discussion of the correct pie of multilayer waterproofing of the foundation. A hot discussion: “Do I need waterproofing for a “cold” roof” is underway. In this video clearly shows all the stages of work on the quick repair of the roof of the garage with the help of bituminous waterproofing self-adhesive tapes. From this video you will learn everything about waterproofing, its types and application. And this video clearly demonstrates what nuances must be taken into account when installing waterproofing on a flat exploited roof.
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General tasks of waterproofing
Do-it-yourself floor waterproofing is required for:
A) protection of materials that lose their properties from water (for example, insulation) or are destroyed;
b) protection of adjacent premises from water ingress, incl. in case of an accident.
Why do you need floor waterproofing?
Waterproofing the floor in the bathroom and similar rooms performs a double task:
- Protection against moisture from structures, subfloor (screed), or ceiling (if the room is located in a multi-storey building).
- Protection of the room below, both from exposure to high humidity and from water ingress in the event of an accident.
The concrete of the ceiling or subfloor resists water quite well, which cannot be said about the reinforcement laid in its thickness, so the question of how to waterproof the floor before the screed is quite serious.
Being exposed to moisture, the metal begins to rust, gradually reducing its bearing capacity, in addition, the adhesion of reinforcement to concrete is lost, and the concrete itself begins to collapse.
Types of floor waterproofing, what materials and tools are needed
Do-it-yourself floor waterproofing, of course, cannot be done without insulating materials and tools for their application.
There are two main types of waterproofing coating.
It is represented by various kinds of mastics, compositions based on cement, magnesia, or bituminous binders, as well as the Penetron type.
Each material has its own characteristics and although, in most cases, concrete floor waterproofing can be carried out with any type of coating materials, their combinations give the best effect.
The work uses quite harmful substances based on bitumen, various kinds of synthetics, which first of all requires good ventilation, especially in small rooms that do not have windows.
The use of burners and even a relatively safe hair dryer requires the mandatory use of personal protective equipment: long-sleeved clothing, protective gloves, goggles.
Treat this responsibly, and the work will bring you pleasure from the result, and not injury and poisoning.
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Before running to the store for waterproofing material, you first need to clarify the so-called hydraulic characteristics of the soil in your area - this is the indicator that determines the selection of waterproofing for a particular type of soil.
1. Coating (painting)
This group includes "liquid" materials - bituminous mixtures and solutions, directly bitumen. Coating bituminous waterproofing of the foundation will “keep” on the surface of the concrete structure for a maximum of 6 years; after this period, the coating will lose its elasticity, “go” with cracks and become quite brittle (if frost hits, then such a coating will not be of much use).
True, bitumen-based includes components such as a polymer raw material (polymer mastic), which contains a filler with mineral additives.
And the percentage of cement gives the liquid composition additional adhesive properties - the solution “sets” well with the surface of the concrete foundation. Coating waterproofing is also excellent for very hard surfaces subject to vibration and deformation.
This type of waterproofing is used in cases where it is necessary to protect surfaces from groundwater flooding and for draining soils.
The thickness of the coating insulation layer can be from 1 to 3 mm - and the entire solution “settles” into the micropores of the concrete foundation structure and forms hermetic “plugs” that clog the pores.
When waterproofing the surface of the walls of the basement with bituminous mastic, all protective measures must be observed and ensure that the solution does not get on the skin of the hands and feet, into the respiratory tract. The liquid waterproofing of the foundation itself is applied with a spatula to a previously (and carefully) prepared surface.
In addition to bituminous materials, the modern market uses liquid glass foundation waterproofing - this is the same solution, which is based not on bitumen, but on liquid glass.
The advantages of coating waterproofing include:
- Availability (this is one of the most popular types of "liquid" insulation, which can be found in almost any construction market)
- Low cost compared to other types of materials and compositions for foundations
- Good application to the surface (for example, waterproofing the foundation with liquid rubber is quite light)
The disadvantages of this type of material include:
- Fragility (maximum service life - six years)
- Destruction of insulation in places of deformation joints during shrinkage of a concrete structure
- Brittleness of the cover layer in severe frosts (low tensile strength)
- Drying time (for this reason, waterproofing with a liquid material cannot be used in wet weather)
- The need for additional protection against the formation of fungi, mold and plant roots
As you can see, the relative cheapness of the coating material turns out to be imaginary.
2. Pasting (roll)
All roll materials for the foundation are one of the most inexpensive waterproofing materials.
For example, this is the same roofing material, roofing felt, film - all of them, of course, are considered good protectors from moisture, but the service life of these materials is even less than that of coating materials. So, waterproofing the foundation with roofing material (without reinforcement, of course) will last no longer than three years.
Today, however, manufacturers are striving to improve (if you can call it that) their products, and therefore they are being replaced by new materials - with increased strength indicators, reinforced with polyester and other polymer additives that increase the elasticity of the material. These include a variety of roll materials such as ecoflex, isoelast, fiberglass, etc.
The peculiarity of the use of such rolled waterproofing is that the foundation should be waterproofed twice - in two layers in layers.
Why is rolled waterproofing also called pasting? Because many of the modern polymer roll films for waterproofing have an adhesive base on the “inner” side, which is glued to the surface.
However, pasting waterproofing of foundations has its minus - in order to avoid possible damage to the material, it must either be carefully deposited or glued very carefully. In the case of surfacing, you will have to work with a construction burner - and this is an expensive pleasure for owners of private houses (you will either have to purchase equipment or rent it).
Another significant factor is the modification of polymer waterproofing. For example, there are membranes based on bitumen and polymer components - and the same product can be both low-modified and highly modified.
The latter leads to an increase in the cost of the material - and this is due to the quality of the product. And yet one of the cheapest waterproofing in this segment remains a film for waterproofing the foundation - "cheap and cheerful."
3.1. Penetrating
It is the same liquid mixture as the coating waterproofing mortar, however, with a slight difference in the principle of action: if the coating waterproofing of the foundation, as it were, “envelops” the concrete surface, then the penetrating one acts, as the name implies, by “penetration” - i.e. . , after applying it to the walls of the foundation, the composition passes into the pores of the structure, solidifying inside.
Today penetrating foundation waterproofing is one of the novelties in its segment. In appearance, it resembles a simple white primer or ceramic liquid, but in consistency it is a mixture of acrylic, polymeric substances and the smallest ceramic particles.
The particles are small vacuum capsules - it is they that help to reduce the heat transfer coefficient of a structure coated with a penetrating mixture.
Manufacturers have achieved unique properties - along with good elasticity, the mixture perfectly "lays" on the surface of the foundation walls, while protecting structures from moisture, and from the formation of fungi, and even from corrosion.
Today, penetrating waterproofing is used not only mainly to protect the foundations of buildings, but also for such structures, the location of which does not provide for the arrangement of ventilation systems.
Among the advantages can be noted:
- its efficiency - a thin layer is enough to protect the surface from moisture,
- light weight (a thin layer of less than 1 mm will not make the overall structure of the foundation heavier, unlike pasting),
- drying speed, ease of application, the ability to use both indoors and outdoors, durability.
- practically like the polymer waterproofing of the foundation, it can last up to 15 years.
However, like any material, penetrating waterproofing has its drawbacks.
One of these is the relative fragility of the material - for example, if the composition was applied to the surface of a concrete structure, which cracked due to the failure of the term for gaining brand strength, then the penetrating insulation will simply collapse.
3.2. Injection waterproofing
A variety of penetrating insulation can be considered injection: its mode of action is no less effective, and the advantages are obvious:
- Good service life.
- Excellent protection against moisture and temperature extremes.
- Good thermal insulation and anti-corrosion properties.
In most cases, injection foundation waterproofing is used in conjunction with liquid rubber (or liquid glass). Depending on the type of raw material composition, this type of waterproofing can have increased elastic properties, flexibility, and manufacturability. Injections are environmentally friendly, excellent adhesive properties are observed.
In addition to its main qualities, injection insulation has become popular due to its maintainability - it can be "repaired" in case of mechanical or thermal damage.
The application features include only a uniform distribution of the layer of waterproofing material - if the mixture is applied correctly, then the seams on the walls, small cracks in the plaster and minor irregularities (flaws, defects) will practically not be noticeable.
The disadvantages of this type of waterproofing include a relatively short service life - only five years, after which it is desirable to repeat the injection procedure.
4. Installed foundation waterproofing
This type of waterproofing is also not quite common, since for it. For example, the most "running" today is bentonite clay (or rather, mats based on it).
The principle of its device is as follows:
- bentonite mats are laid between cardboard or geotextile, which after a while decomposes directly in the ground.
- the mats themselves remain, resulting in a foundation lined with.
Note that the waterproofing of the foundation with clay is practically not suitable for application to the walls of the basement - that is, where the insulating material must be in contact with air. Therefore, it is desirable to use it only as a waterproofing material under the foundation slab.
5. Membrane
The membrane material is made from a special PVC sheet with the addition of plasticizers. Various polymer components increase the service life of the material up to 50 years.
The advantages that membrane waterproofing of the foundation has are as follows:
- Thermal resistance.
- Durability.
- Resistance to chemically aggressive environments and the effects of various microorganisms.
- High resistance to elevated temperature differences (membrane waterproofing does not change its quality indicators).
- Does not stick or stick to concrete surfaces.
- Elasticity - thanks to this property, it can be used for foundations that have not yet "passed" the shrinkage of the structure.
- Ease of installation - it is laid in almost the same way as the built-up waterproofing of the foundation.
Waterproofing the foundation with the help of membrane sheets is possible with the use of special equipment (a building hair dryer that welds the sheets).
Well, there is, perhaps, only one minus for such a waterproofing material - the high cost of consumables, the finished product, and welding.
6. Cut-off
The very name of this type of foundation waterproofing already speaks for itself: cut-off waterproofing of the foundation contributes to the “cut-off” of capillary moisture - it should be used at the points of contact between the lower parts of the walls and the upper surfaces of the foundation.
In most cases, horizontal cut-off insulation is used - these are roll materials, and bituminous mastic, and a polymer film.
In addition to horizontal, vertical cut-off waterproofing can also be used - the difference in surface insulation will be in the position of the material.
For vertical cut-off waterproofing, PVC insulating tapes can be used - judging by consumer reviews, more than half prefer to use insulation with a relief surface (it increases the adhesion forces of the material to the concrete surface).
However, cut-off waterproofing can be not only rolled, but also injection - this is especially required for those houses whose foundations are located in areas with a high level of groundwater (or in places of increased dampness).
In pre-drilled holes of small diameters, which fills the micropore structure of the foundation and prevents groundwater from entering the structure. Thus, this type of insulation protects the foundation from vertical suction of moisture contained in the soil.
7. Sprayable
This type of waterproofing refers to "liquid" - it is applied using special spray equipment. The advantages include:
- ease of use (a spray bottle is filled with a mixture, which is then sprayed onto the surface of the walls of the basement and foundation),
- no need for preparatory work (for example, if coating or gluing waterproofing should be applied to a previously cleaned and polished surface for better adhesion, then sprayed waterproofing of the foundation does not require special “measures”) - the maximum that may be needed is to sweep construction dust from surfaces.
- As a material for spraying, a conventional cement mortar with plasticizer additives that have a penetrating effect (quartz, cement and active additives) can serve.
- But the disadvantage is the need to reinforce the sprayed surface in order to fix the material. In addition, spraying will not eliminate or hide even small flaws (defects) on the foundation surface, so the slightest irregularities will still be “visible”. Therefore, there is another drawback of using this type of waterproofing - the impossibility of applying complex shapes to buildings (it is also impossible to use and gluing roll insulation).
8. Polyurea
This is not a very "tasty" name - not at all what you think. Polyurea is a polymer substance, which basically contains polyester components, which give good plasticity to the material due to their increased viscosity properties.
However, due to the high drying rate, the viscous material becomes plastic-like, turning into a protective plastic film, which is distinguished by its moisture resistance, resistance to mechanical damage and temperature extremes.
In essence, waterproofing a foundation with polyurea is nothing more than applying a coating layer to the surface of concrete structures. Due to its “solidity”, polyurea leaves no traces and seams on the surface at all, and the “continuity” structure prevents the formation of “cold bridges”, therefore, heat losses and moisture penetration into the structure are not terrible.