Learning how to waterproof your concrete keeps your employees and visitors to your premises safe. Concrete exposed to water over time will begin to degrade and crumble away.
If the concrete surface is a basement wall, this can lead to serious structural issues. Even if it is a floor with no structural impact, water is highly detrimental as the moisture allows mold to thrive. The spores can cause allergic reactions and damage the respiratory system, leading to serious health complications for employees.
As both mold remediation and structural repairs are expensive, it makes sense to seal concrete using the appropriate waterproofing sealer. It may even be essential in terms of building codes.
Below we’ll discuss the most popular waterproofing systems.
Epoxy Coatings
TAGG Concrete Coatings uses a combination of a polyurea base and polyaspartic topcoat to seal concrete effectively. Such coatings are distinctly superior to every other waterproofing product we discuss below for floors because they are less prone to wear and tear.
They are:
- Durable
- Chip resistant
- Scratch resistant
- Able to withstand harsh, high-traffic conditions
- Versatile in terms of decor
- Able to cover dirty or damaged floors
Unlike the other systems we discuss, you can select several additives to customize the look. When waterproofing a facility that clients visit, this is an ideal opportunity to reinforce your brand with custom flooring.
Liquid Waterproofing Application
This rubber-like coating begins as a gel, and you can apply it to cured cement as long as the surface is clean. It is a good option for foundations and walls below ground in a new building, as any dirt will prevent proper adhesion. You typically place it on the outside of the building.
The application requires a specialist roller or mop, and the technique takes a little experience to develop. However, it dries relatively quickly, and as soon as this happens, you use soil to ensure it remains in position.
Crystalline Slurry Compound
This is a compound that chemically bonds with the concrete by forming crystals. These crystals fill the pores and slight cracks within the surface, sealing them to water and other liquids. As the compound reacts with water, any further moisture that comes into contact activates the crystalization process.
You can apply this product over new concrete or use it in older buildings to prevent further water damage. It is an ideal solution to use in waterproofing plaster and areas where you require a higher-strength finish, as it also reinforces the surface.
Rubberized Sheets
Learning how to waterproof concrete in this manner is relatively simple. You use big sheets of a rubber-like substance with adhesive on the back and adhere these to the foundation or wall during construction.
The sheets are popular because they:
- Are easy to apply
- Provide even coverage
- Are a uniform size and width
- Will not pull away once in place
The downside when it comes to how to waterproof your concrete this way is that water can seep through the seams if you apply the sheets poorly. Another disadvantage is that you pay a premium for the convenience of using these, and they are typically more expensive than liquid measures.
Cementitious Waterproofing
When it comes to how waterproofing your concrete, this is as simple as applying a layer of plaster or mortar. The key is to create a uniform surface thick enough to keep water out. It dries much like concrete and has a similar texture.
The downside here is the lack of flexibility. As the temperature changes, the material cannot expand as well as the rubberized options. It will therefore crack over time and requires more maintenance.
Bentonite Sheets
Betonite sheets contain waterproofing clay between layers. Similar in structure to cardboard, this option is unlike the others as it does not provide a barrier to moisture until it gets wet. When it comes to how waterproofing your concrete, this is not the most popular method.
When water hits the surface, the clay within the sheets expands to several times what it originally was. It soaks up the moisture like a sponge, with multiple layers preventing the water from breaking through to the wall.
However, many companies today would rather invest in rubber-like or crystalline compounds that seal the concrete completely. There is little way to tell how effective the Betonite will be until you install it.
Contact Tagg Concrete Coatings for More Information
Would you like more information on how to waterproof your concrete in your industrial complex or commercial property? Contact the team at TAGG Concrete Coatings by calling (919) 439-8879 and find out if epoxy coatings could work for you.
