Foundation Waterproofing

FOUNDATION WATERPROOFING

The foundation’s waterproofing is crucial to the overall building’s strength. The water rises from the soil to the structure due to the water’s capillary flow. It rises as it goes through the foundation and reaches the walls. It is usual for foundations and basements to become damp since they are directly in contact with the earth’s surface and are prone to high moisture levels. Even an apparent leak could result from excessive moisture levels, making it difficult to identify the waterproofing problem in this location. When the following occurs, a professional opinion should be considered:

Floor/ walls:- leakages/ water stains

Windows – water condensation Floor – water puddles

Mould/foul smell

To prevent water from accessing the retaining walls, installing a waterproofing system at the plinth level is necessary.

Waterproofing should always be applied from the positive side, but if there is no access from that side, treatment from the negative side can also be utilised.

The solution suggested by Suganthtech

Crystalline-based cementitious system (can be used from either the positive or negative side) – These systems are active and can be employed from either the positive or negative side of the structure. The crystalline system consists of standard Portland cement, specifically processed quartz, and an active chemical component.

When applied to a concrete surface, the active chemicals react with moisture and unhydrated cement particles to form an insoluble, crystalline structure via a catalytic reaction. These crystals cover the concrete’s pores and tiny shrinkage fractures to prevent further water infiltration (even under pressure).

Yet, the mechanism will still permit vapour passage through the structure, allowing the concrete to “breathe.” The mechanism will reactivate in the presence of moisture to close capillary tracts and hairline fractures, even after the concrete has hardened. In addition to waterproofing the structure, it protects the concrete from salt water, sewage, aggressive groundwater, and numerous other aggressive chemical solutions.

The system is approved for contact with potable water, making it appropriate for use in water storage tanks, reservoirs, water treatment facilities, etc.

Before deploying these systems, the Surface must be clean and sound according to the checklist, meaning any cracks, honeycombs, and voids must be filled with crystalline/repair mortar. At all weak spots/zones, apply pressure grouting with PRAH (Permeability Reduction Admix for Hydrostatic Conditions). A minimum 50*50mm angle fillet must be created at the beginning joint using PMM. The Surface must be in SSD at all times.

Post-treatment: Treated areas must be kept moist for ten days and sheltered from direct sunlight, wind, and frost by covering them with polyethene sheeting, damp burlap, or something similar.

Polymer-based Elastomeric Cementitious coating systems are high-performance elastomeric cementitious coatings used for waterproofing and protecting atmospherically exposed reinforced concrete structures against attack by acid gases, chloride ions, oxygen & water.

These solutions are suited for new and existing structures, as they may be applied to concrete, brick, and block surfaces. The solution is intended to resurface and level concrete and masonry surfaces and bridge shrinkage fractures. It produces a seamless, flexible, waterproof coating appropriate for water tanks, reservoirs, drainage ditches, basements, and roofs. The product produces a water-resistant, lasting covering. These systems are favoured for use as undercoats because they are not UV-stable.

Before application of these systems, all joints, honeycombs, and voids must be filled with PMM (Polymer Modified Mortar)/Non-Shrink repair mortar. At all weak spots/zones, pressure grouting with PRAN (Permeability Reducing Admix for Non-Hydrostatic Conditions). A minimum 50*50mm angle fillet must be created at the beginning joint using PMM. The state of the Surface must be SSD.

Moreover, depending on the porosity of the concrete, a silicon-based sealer such as Zycosil or an acrylic-based sealer such as La Brush seal may be applied before the cementitious waterproofing system.