Waterproofing prevents the passage of liquid water through structures and is important to apply where hydrostatic pressure may occur. It can be applied to the positive or negative side of structures. Common types include sheet membranes, liquid waterproofing, and bentonite or cementitious waterproofing. The document discusses definitions of waterproofing versus damp-proofing, why waterproofing is necessary to prevent structural damage, where and how water can enter structures, and appropriate locations and types of waterproofing applications.
2. Understanding the Critical Elements of Waterproofing
What is Waterproofing?
Why Waterproof?
Where to Apply Waterproofing?
Wh A l W fi ?
Types of Waterproofing
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4. Waterproofing vs Damp-proofing
Often the terms Waterproofing and Damp-proofing are
incorrectly interchanged. According to ASTM definitions:
• Waterproofing is the treatment of a surface to prevent the passage of
liquid
li id water i th presence of h d t ti pressure.
t in the f hydrostatic
• Damp-proofing is the treatment of a surface to retard the absorption of
moisture in the absence of hydrostatic pressure.
Virtually all building envelopes, particularly below-grade areas
and plaza decks, encounter hydrostatic pressure from water
during their lifetime.
lifetime
Therefore, the use of a quality waterproofing system is essential
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to preserve the water-tightness of the building envelope.
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5. Waterproofing As Vapour Barrier
Is it important that a waterproofing membrane also be a vapour
barrier?
Many waterproofing products are vapour barriers. Some are not.
Unimpeded water vapour will pass through concrete.
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6. What Is A Quality Waterproofing System?
A waterproofing system which prevents the passage of liquid
water in the presence of hydrostatic pressure.
Protection as necessary.
A drainage system that reduces hydrostatic pressure.
Accessory products which complement, attach and detail the
waterproofing and drainage.
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8. Why Waterproof Your Structure?
The problem – substrates shrink, move and crack.
Rain water or
building run-off
Soil
Gravel backfill
Foundation wall
High water table
Floor
Perimeter
P i t Base
drainage system
Footing
Normal water table
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9. Water Ingress Mechanisms
Ground level
Water table
Seepage through
joint or crack 50% RH, 20oC
Wetting & drying Permeation
Permeation
Wick action
Salts in drainage
Permeation
P ti
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10. How Water Can Penetrate Concrete Structures?
Honeycombs
Concrete Structure
Large voids
g Cracks Joints Capillary action
p y Hydrostatic
y
sucks water into pressure forces
pores water into pores
Penetration through Openings
P t ti th hO i Penetration through Concrete
P t ti th hC t
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12. Why Waterproof Your Structure?
Liability issues
Structural integrity
Consequential damage
Provide additional usage space
Unexpected water sources (grade, sewer lines)
There may be a tendency to select and install a waterproofing system that has
a lower initial cost. This may result in lower performance standard.
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In addition to initial cost, attention should be given to the cost of repairing or
replacing waterproof system failing prematurely and to other costs associated
with the failure.
Singapore Standard CP82:1999
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14. Where To Apply Waterproofing
Positive Side Waterproofing
Negative Side Waterproofing
Blind Side Waterproofing Interior
applications
Interior Applications
Exterior Applications
External
applications
Positive / blind
side waterproofing
Negative side Positive side
waterproofing waterproofing
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15. Positive Side Waterproofing
Positive side is same side of the structure as the source of the
water.
Designed to stop water before it has a chance to enter the
structure and cause structural damage.
Typically the most effective solution.
®
Silcor Liquid Waterproofing
Preprufe® Pre-applied
Waterproofing
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16. Negative Side Waterproofing
Interior side opposite the water
pressure side of the structure
Most commonly used in
• Remedial work
• Elevator pits
• Tank liners
Waterproofing
Membrane
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17. Blind Side Waterproofing
Positive side applied prior to installing the structural walls or
slabs.
Typically inaccessible once the structure is complete.
In many cases this is the only positive side waterproofing
option.
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18. Interior Applications
Positive Side Waterproofing Negative Side Waterproofing
• Split Slabs • Elevator pits
• B th
Bathrooms • R t fit
Retrofit
• Laboratories
• Mechanical rooms
• Kitchens
• Fountains
• Planters
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19. Exterior Applications
Positive Side Waterproofing Blind Side Waterproofing
• Foundation walls • Soil retention systems
• Plaza decks • P t walls
Party ll
• Tunnels • Cut and cover tunnels
• Parking decks
• Under slab
• Balconies
• Elevator pits
• Bridge decks
• Underpinning
• Planters
• R fi
Roofing
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21. Types of Waterproofing
Sheet Membrane Waterproofing
• Lose laid – PVC, HDPE, etc.
• Bonded – self-adhesive, hot applied
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Liquid Waterproofing
• One or two component
• A li d b h d b spray
Applied by hand, by
• Hot applied, cold applied
Bentonite Waterproofing
Metal Oxide Waterproofing
Cementitious Waterproofing
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22. Waterproofing – Sheet Membrane or Liquid?
Advantages Disadvantages
Controlled, guaranteed
Laps
thickness
Robust, self-reinforced Complex detailing
Sheet Membrane
No mixing or specialist
equipment
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Trafficked immediately
Seamless Variable thickness
Good for complex geometries Cure time
Liquid
q
Quick
Q i k coverage with spray
ith
Mixing and spray equipment
application
Minimal substrate preparation
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23. Bentonite Waterproofing
Bentonite panels
Geotextile encapsulated
HDPE / Bentonite
Reactive systems
• Rely on water to activate and to
remain active
i ti
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24. Metal Oxide and Cementitious
Primarily Portland cement-
based materials
Positive and negative side
applications
Inflexible, subject to cracking
Low cost
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25. Summary
What is Waterproofing?
• Prevention of water and vapour ingress
Why Waterproof?
• Structures crack and move
• Subject to water pressure at some time in life cycle
Where to Apply Waterproofing?
• Positive or negative
• Positive preferred
Types of Waterproofing
• Sheet membrane, liquid, Bentonite, cementitious
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