Mastering Waterproofing in Construction
What is waterproofing?
Put simply, it is the process of keeping water in or out of structures to avoid loss or to minimize water damage.
Roof waterproofing, basement or below grade waterproofing, waterproofing systems in multistorey car parks are examples of where water must be kept out. On the other hand, water in tanks or similar structures for wastewater management in industrial plants are examples where liquids must be retained.
Waterproofing also contributes to sustainable construction because it increases the service life of structures by preventing water damage to concrete from freeze-thaw, alkali-aggregate reactions, sulphate attack, de-icer salt scaling and carbonation. Avoiding repairs or even demolition lowers the environmental impact through reduced material consumption.
At Master Builders Solutions, we have:
Over 100 years of experience since 1912
With a track record in construction technology that stretches back over a century, waterproofing is truly in the DNA of Master Builders Solutions. With over 100 years of history, we provide not only knowledge, but also experience.
Sustainable waterproofing solutions
Either for water, infrastructure, roofing or clean energy industry, MasterSeal systems contribute to sustainable construction, preventing damages to concrete and avoiding repairs and demolition, lowering the environmental impact through reduced material consumption.
A comprehensive portfolio of technologies applied by the best
Complementing each other for different applications, Master Builders Solutions waterproofing systems are always installed by the best specialists, combining outstanding technology with excellence in application.
Many types of membranes are used in waterproofing, and there is no winners here - all are suitable depending on the conditions and intended use. Firstly, there are liquid membranes, capable of forming a fully bonded, seamless waterproofing layer that avoids welds and seams which typically represent the weaker spots in any waterproofing system. When installed professionally, the versatility of liquid membranes makes them suitable for a wide range of structures, from roofs to cellars, including car parks, and from industrial plants to infrastructure such as bridges, dams or water treatment plants. Then, there are prefabricated membranes based on materials such as bitumen, PVC or EPDM.. By selecting the right waterproofing and protection products, we can also minimize the environmental impact of the construction project by reducing CO2 emissions in the process and along the whole service life of the structure.
Types of technologies for waterproofing in construction
We have mentioned the different types of waterproofing membrane but what technologies do they rely on to give them the features that we require? To begin with, we should understand that the technologies and solutions we apply must fulfill the requirements of the project including structure, concrete quality, surface quality, whether it is a new job or refurbishment.
The waterproofing common technologies are listed:
- Xolutec(R) - our unique technology developed for improved durability, to solve the problems of demanding environments.
- Polyurethane
- Polyurea
- Epoxy
- Cementitious
- Rigid coatings
- Flexible and Elastic coatings
Among these technologies, the application process of PUA membranes requires the material to be hot sprayed, allowing an extremely short curing time of only a few seconds. Once cured, they show very high crack bridging properties without mesh. In addition, Epoxy coatings are very common in the market and are available either with or without mesh. Although they show good chemical resistance, they do tend to have slow curing time and are sensitive to humidity during application. Cementitious coatings, however, could be used on humid substrates but show low chemical resistance. Rigid coatings show good resistance to negative pressure, which is something flexible coatings lack. And lastly, while flexible coatings have the aforementioned disadvantage, they do boast crack bridging properties like the PUA membranes.
Master Builders Solutions accompanies construction projects worldwide. Tell us your building requirements. Our experts will help you.
More waterproofing resources
Vitis our Water Management Industry Applications: drinking water tanks & water towers, urban waste water treatment plants, industrial waste water treatment plants, digesters & biogas plants, ...!
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