Sunday, October 15, 2017

Learn More About Concrete Waterproofing Admixture

By Stephen Nelson


They are also known as permeability reducing mixture and is a compound that is intended to protect solid building material made of gravel, sand, cement, and water from being logged by too much water. It, therefore, acts as a preventive mechanism that reduces the passage of water though the materials when they are under pressure. Water is essential in the creation of concrete and it is useful in its mixing and curing but once the materials are strong, gaining more water may cause damage. It is therefore advisable to use concrete waterproofing admixture.

The building component can deteriorate over time when proper waterproofing is not done hence allowing the passage of water that deposits impurities and chemical substances that cause its destruction. Advanced mixtures have been produced for use in waterproofing structural building materials and with continued enhancements to the products over the years. Since various mixtures that can be chosen from existing, one can opt for one that suits their needs.

In order to make the building material waterproof, there has to be a reduction in water passage as well as resistivity to hydrostatic pressure. Sheet membranes have been used in the past as a mechanism to waterproof and could either be done from within or without the structural component. However, they have been considered ineffective as they have many limitations. Recently, the use of crystalline mixtures and other high quality developed mixtures have been used in the construction. Unlike the sheet membranes, they do not protect the exterior of the material but make the component a water barrier itself.

The fundamental use of these high-quality mixtures is to react with the concrete in order to make it more water resistant. Generally, the densifiers that are found in the mixtures are able to chemically react with the calcium hydroxide to produce a new substance that makes the while mixture denser and reducing hydrostatic pressure which generally prevents any future damage.

The functionality of this given mix may vary in the following ways. If the mixture is a pore blocking one, it obstructs the pores of the mixture, therefore, reducing absorption through capillarity and thereby reducing water intake. Other hydrophobic, mixtures work to react with other elements in the building structural material to create an insoluble substance that hinders capillarity and effectively restricting water passage.

Crystalline technology is another new method. The crystalline mixtures can be introduced into construction materials by mixing or applying it on the material surface. The chemicals contained in the mixture usually restructure the construction material and causes non-permeability against water. It may also be utilized on older surfaces in order to achieve water impermeability.

It is important to know the percentage that is needed to be added to the structural construction material in order to obtain effective results. There should be a balance in the ratio of the water added to the cement added to obtain efficient results. The resistance to water is ultimately dependent on the quality of the structural building component and effectiveness of the added mixture.

Even though it is costly to buy these products used to make construction components waterproof and is a good method of lessening water seepage as well as overall damages to buildings. As a result, it is one good investment that aids in preventing future losses.




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