Cementitious Waterproofing System

Effective cementitious waterproofing system installation services rendered by Revo-seal can prevent water incursion in many rooms of your property, including crucial areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.

Cementitious waterproofing systems come in 4 forms:

1. Metallic
2. Crystalline
3. Chemical additive
4. Acrylic-modified

These systems are similar in performance and application, but prevent water infiltration in different ways.

Metallic cementitious waterproofing systems

A metallic cementitious waterproofing system incorporates fine iron particles, which oxidise with the addition of water. This oxidisation causes the waterproofing membrane to expand to effectively seal a surface and prevent water penetration.

Crystalline cementitious waterproofing systems

In crystalline cementitious waterproofing systems, liquid or dry chemicals are added to the cementitious waterproofing coating mix. These chemical additives penetrate into a concrete wall or floor to form crystalline structures within the substrate. They then prevent transmission of water through the substrate.

Chemical cementitious waterproofing systems

A chemical cementitious waterproofing system entails the addition of organic or inorganic chemicals. When applied to concrete or masonry substrates, these chemicals – typically silicate derivatives – become an integral part of the substrate to prevent water incursion.

Acrylic-modified cementitious waterproofing systems

Acrylic-modified cementitious waterproofing systems add acrylic emulsions to the basic mixture to improve its waterproofing capabilities and bridge any cracks. However, because these application systems bond resolutely to brick or concrete substrates, flexibility can be limited.

Advantages of cementitious waterproofing membranes

Flexible cementitious waterproofing membranes are formed from a combination of cement, with or without sand, a waterproofing agent, and a bonding material. These substances are mixed into a relatively thin liquid that can be applied onto surfaces by roller, spray, or brush. The coating then cures to form a watertight membrane.

A disadvantage of cementitious waterproofing in the past was inflexibility – cement doesn’t give or stretch much – resulting in cracking, especially around joints. However, this problem has been overcome with technological advances.

Flexible cementitious waterproofing with added elastomers – polymers with rubber-like elasticity – is often used to waterproof concrete and masonry walls and floors prone to cracking. The system can also be applied to green roofs and to seal water tanks.

Advantages of elastomeric cementitious waterproofing include:

• Ease of application – flooring typically needs just a single coating.
• Robust system that maintains its elastomeric properties even under harsh conditions.
• Excellent adhesion when applied to well-prepared brick or concrete substrates.

Advances in waterproofing technology have also seen the introduction of cementitious crystalline waterproofing to prevent water infiltration in concrete surfaces. This method avoids the limitations of sheet waterproofing membranes by incorporating an integrated crystalline admixture into the surface – turning the concrete itself into a water barrier.

An acrylic polymer cementitious coating is produced by adding an acrylic polymer emulsion to the mix for fast setting and to enhance performance, particularly when applied under tiles in wet areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.

Durability of a cementitious waterproofing system

Several factors determine how long a cementitious waterproofing system will last. These include:

• Quality of the materials
• Method of application
• Number of coatings applied
• Condition and preparation of the substrate

A silicate-based chemical cementitious waterproofing system can last a lifetime, as the calcium silicate hydrate barrier will never break down.

As for other cementitious waterproofing systems, they can last up to 10 years.

Cementitious waterproofing prices and warranty of Revo-seal

Many considerations influence our residential and commercial cementitious waterproofing prices. They include:

• The type of cementitious waterproofing applied.
• The number of coatings required.
• Size of the area.

Contact us for a free site assessment, and we’ll be able to tell you exactly how much your cementitious waterproofing will cost.

For your peace of mind, we provide a standard warranty of 5 years with our cementitious waterproofing services. We may also be able to extend this – at extra cost.

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