About Liquid Integral waterproofing mechanism

1. About Integral Waterproofing
• What is Integral Waterproofing?
• Types of Integral Waterproofing
o Hydrophobic Admixtures
o Densifiers
• Applications for Integral Waterproofing
• How to Compare Integral Waterproofing Products
What is Integral Waterproofing?
Integral waterproofing goes INSIDE the concrete. Membrane waterproofing has several issues. It can be expensive, time-consuming,
and easy to damage. Most membranes are made using oil-based materials and are not sustainable. If they leak, it’s not obvious who
caused the problem and there can be a lot of finger-pointing. See risk reduction to learn more about the benefits of integral
waterproofing over membrane waterproofing.
Membranes are easily
damaged.
Integral waterproofing is inside the concrete and
protected by it.
Integral waterproofing can be a far better solution than membranes for a number of reasons:
• Faster construction
• Reduced cost
• Reduced risk with a performance warranty
• Greener construction
• Simple details
Integral waterproofing solutions all work by blocking water from being able to get into concrete, which is usually a
water-loving material that sucks up moisture. Not all integral waterproofing solutions are the same –
waterproofing admixtures vary in terms of performance, health and safety, service, and warranty.
Types of Integral Waterproofing
Hydrophobic Admixtures
Hydrophobic admixtures absorb less than 1% of water and give superior performance compared with densifying
admixtures. They considerably reduce the amount of water absorbed by dry concrete and also protect against
further water ingress when concrete is wet. They also protect against water ingress from hydrostatic pressure.
Water-Based Hydrophobic Permeability Reducing and Pore Blocking Admixture
These admixtures work by forming barriers in the concrete matrix, which stop water from getting in through
capillaries. They also coat reinforcing steel, protecting against corrosion.
• Water-based
• Low dosage required – 1-2 gallons per cubic yard
• Cradle to Cradle Certified
• It May be used in conjunction with fly ash and slag
• Directly protects against corrosion

2. Ammonia Emulsion Admixture – Caltite
These hydrophobic admixtures consist of tiny “rubber balls” held in suspension in an ammonia solution. The
rubber balls block the capillaries in the concrete, reducing the potential to absorb water.
• Ammonia-based
• High dosage required – 6 gallons per cubic yard
• Service and warranty provided by the manufacturer
• Does not directly protect against corrosion
Densifiers
Densifiers may reduce the permeability of concrete. They tend to work best in situations where the concrete is
permanently saturated, and less well where drying and rewetting may occur.
Supplementary Cementitious Materials
Fly ash, slag, and silica fume are industrial by-products: Fly ash comes from electricity production using coal as a
fuel; slag is a by-product of steel manufacture, and silica fume comes from silicon manufacture. They are all
ground very fine, and when they are used in concrete mixes they fill in gaps in the concrete structure to reduce
permeability.

3. Fly ash – from
electricity production using coal
Slag – from steel
manufacture
Silica
from silicon manufacture
• It May be used with other densifiers and hydrophobic admixtures
• Generic, non-branded materials, readily available
• Reduce permeability
• Will not (on their own) provide a waterproof structure
• No warranty or service
• Do not directly protect against corrosion
•
Treated Silicates – “Crystal Growth”
Crystalline waterproofing admixtures are composed of cement, treated silicates, and other unidentified chemicals.
These are generally already basic components of concrete, and work to “densify” concrete by reducing pore size.
They work by forming crystals within the concrete capillaries – these could be compared to a beaver dam made
out of sticks but no mud – limited effectiveness. In fact, it is possible that they may increase the absorption of
water because of capillary action in the narrower holes. Imagine sucking water up through a straw – it takes a lot
less pressure and effort to suck water through a thin straw than through a thick straw. For this reason, concrete
with crystalline admixtures may have higher absorption than control concrete. Manufacturers include Xypex,
Kryton, Ipanex, Penetron and Aquafin.
By:- Aditya Kumar
Nuvoco Vistas Corp Ltd - Alwar (Raj.)