The

Principles of
Waterproofing

Grace
Construction
Products

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Understanding the Critical Elements of Waterproofing
ƒ What is Waterproofing?
ƒ Why Waterproof?
ƒ Where
Wh to Apply
A l Waterproofing?
W fi ?
ƒ Types of Waterproofing

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What is Waterproofing?

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Waterproofing vs Damp-proofing

ƒ 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
li id water
liquid t iin th
the presence off h
hydrostatic
d t ti pressure.
• Damp-proofing is the treatment of a surface to retard the absorption of
moisture in the absence of hydrostatic pressure.

ƒ Virtually all building envelopes, particularly below-grade areas

and plaza decks, encounter hydrostatic pressure from water
during their lifetime.
lifetime

ƒ Therefore, the use of a quality

y waterproofing
g system
y is essential
to preserve the water-tightness of the building envelope.

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Waterproofing As Vapour Barrier
ƒ Is it important that a waterproofing membrane also be a vapour
barrier?
ƒ Many waterproofing products are vapour barriers. Some are not.
ƒ Unimpeded water vapour will pass through concrete.

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What Is A Quality Waterproofing System?
ƒ A waterproofing system which prevents the passage of liquid
water in the presence of hydrostatic pressure.

ƒ Protection as necessary.

ƒ A drainage system that reduces hydrostatic pressure.

ƒ Accessory products which complement, attach and detail the

waterproofing and drainage.

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Why Waterproof?

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Why Waterproof Your Structure?
ƒ 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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Water Ingress Mechanisms

Ground level

Water table

Seepage through
joint or crack 50% RH, 20oC
Wetting & drying Permeation
Permeation

Wick action

Salts in drainage

P
Permeation
ti

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How Water Can Penetrate Concrete Structures?

Honeycombs
Concrete Structure

Large
g voids Cracks Joints Capillary
p y action Hydrostatic
y
sucks water into pressure forces
pores water into pores

P
Penetration
t ti through
th h Openings
O i P
Penetration
t ti through
th h Concrete
C t

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Intrinsic Cracks
1 Plastic settlement
2
Plastic shrinkage
3 Early-age shrinkage

4 Crazing
3
5 Alkali aggregate
3 reaction
6 Shear
4 2 2
7 Flexural
9
3
1
8 Thermal Shock
7

5 9 Kickers
1
6 10 Tie Holes
10
3 3
8
3
2 9
3

7
3

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Why Waterproof Your Structure?
ƒ Liability issues
ƒ Structural integrity
ƒ Consequential damage
ƒ Provide additional usage space
ƒ 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 mayy result in lower performance
p standard.
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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Where to Apply
Waterproofing?

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Where To Apply Waterproofing
ƒ Positive Side Waterproofing
ƒ Negative Side Waterproofing
ƒ Blind Side Waterproofing Interior
applications
ƒ Interior Applications
ƒ Exterior Applications

External
applications

Positive / blind
side waterproofing

Negative side Positive side

waterproofing waterproofing

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Positive Side Waterproofing
ƒ Positive side is same side of the structure as the source of the
water.
ƒ Designed to stop water before it has a chance to enter the
structure and cause structural damage.
ƒ Typically the most effective solution.

®
Silcor Liquid Waterproofing
Preprufe® Pre-applied
Waterproofing

15
Negative Side Waterproofing
ƒ Interior side opposite the water
pressure side of the structure
ƒ Most commonly used in
• Remedial work
• Elevator pits
• Tank liners

Waterproofing
Membrane

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Blind Side Waterproofing
ƒ Positive side applied prior to installing the structural walls or
slabs.

ƒ Typically inaccessible once the structure is complete.

ƒ In many cases this is the only positive side waterproofing

option.

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Interior Applications

Positive Side Waterproofing Negative Side Waterproofing

• Split Slabs • Elevator pits
• Bathrooms
B th • Retrofit
R t fit
• Laboratories
• Mechanical rooms
• Kitchens
• Fountains
• Planters

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Exterior Applications

Positive Side Waterproofing Blind Side Waterproofing

• Foundation walls • Soil retention systems
• Plaza decks • Party
P t walls
ll
• Tunnels • Cut and cover tunnels
• Parking decks
• Under slab
• Balconies
• Elevator pits
• Bridge decks
• Underpinning
• Planters
• Roofing
R fi

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Types of Waterproofing

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Types of Waterproofing
ƒ Sheet Membrane Waterproofing
• Lose laid – PVC, HDPE, etc.
• Bonded – self-adhesive,, hot applied
pp
ƒ Liquid Waterproofing
• One or two component
• Applied
A li d bby h
hand,
d bby spray
• Hot applied, cold applied
ƒ Bentonite Waterproofing
ƒ Metal Oxide Waterproofing
ƒ Cementitious Waterproofing

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Waterproofing – Sheet Membrane or Liquid?

Advantages Disadvantages

Controlled, guaranteed
Laps
thickness

Robust, self-reinforced Complex detailing

Sheet Membrane
No mixing or specialist
equipment
q p

Trafficked immediately

Seamless Variable thickness

Good for complex geometries Cure time

Liquid
q
Quick
Q i k coverage with
ith spray
Mixing and spray equipment
application

Minimal substrate preparation

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Bentonite Waterproofing
ƒ Bentonite panels
ƒ Geotextile encapsulated
ƒ HDPE / Bentonite
ƒ Reactive systems
• Rely on water to activate and to
remain
i active
ti

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Metal Oxide and Cementitious
ƒ Primarily Portland cement-
based materials
ƒ Positive and negative side
applications
ƒ Inflexible, subject to cracking
ƒ Low cost

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Summary
ƒ What is Waterproofing?
• Prevention of water and vapour ingress
ƒ Why Waterproof?
• Structures crack and move
• Subject to water pressure at some time in life cycle
ƒ Where to Apply Waterproofing?
• Positive or negative
• Positive preferred
ƒ Types of Waterproofing
• Sheet membrane, liquid, Bentonite, cementitious

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Questions?
Contact asia.enq@grace.com
www.graceconstruction.com

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