WATERPROO

FING

WHAT IS
WATERPROOFING ?

WATERPROOFING
Waterproofingis

the
combination of materials used to
preventwaterintrusion into the
structural elements of a building
or its finished spaces. Its main
purpose is to resist hydrostatic
pressure exerted by moisture in
the liquid state.

MAIN PURPOSE OF ANY BUILDING

ENVELOPE

TO PROVIDE

PROTECTION FFROM
ALL ELEMENTS
INCLUDING WIND,
COLD, HEAT AND RAIN.

WATERTIGHT
ENVIRONMENTALLY
INTERIOR
1.

AND
SOUND

Understanding water sources likely

to be encountered.
2. Designing systems to prevent
leakage from these sources.
3. Finalizing the design by properly
detailing each individual envelope
component
into
adjacent
components.

WATER SOURCES
Water likely to penetrate building
envelopes is most commonly from
rainwater
on
abovegrade
components
and
groundwater
intrusion below-grade. Other sources
also should be considered as
appropriate, such as melting snow,
overspray from cooling towers, landscaping sprinklers, and redirected
water
from
such
sources
as

TYPES OF FORCES
Natural gravity
Surface tension
Wind/air currents
Capillary action
Hydrostatic pressure

DESIGNING TO PREVENT LEAKAGE

1. Barrier
2. Drainage
3. Diversions

BARRIER SYSTEMS
Barrier

systems are, as their

name implies, effective and
complete barriers to water
infiltration. They include actual
waterproofing systems such as
below-grade urethane membranes
and other envelope components
such as glass.

DRAINAGE SYSTEMS
(RAIN SCREEN SYSTEM)
Drainage systems are envelope
components that might permit
water
absorption
and
some
infiltration through the substrate
but provide a means to collect this
water and divert it back out to the
exterior before it causes leakage.

DIVERSIONS
Diversions

actually
redirect water being forced
against
envelope
components and divert it
elsewhere
before
it
infiltrates or absorbs into
the substrate.

COMPLETING THE
ENVELOPE
Once the sources of water have been

identified, the types of systems to

prevent leakage chosen, and the
materials
selected
to
provide
necessary aesthetics to the finished
product, the envelope design must be
carefully constructed and reviewed to
ensure successful performance of the
completed product.

BASIC ENVELOPE DESIGN

Roofing
Below-grade waterproofing
Above-grade waterproofing
Damp proofing
Flashing
Diversion
Building envelope

Roofing
That

portion of a building that

prevents water intrusion (usually from
gravitational forces) in horizontal or
slightly inclined elevations. Although
typically applied to the surface and
exposed to the elements, roofing
systems also can be internal, or
sandwiched, between other building
components.

Below-grade
waterproofing
Materials that prevent water

under hydrostatic pressure

from entering into a structure
or its components. These
systems are not exposed or
subjected to weathering such
as by ultraviolet rays.

Vulcanized rubbers

Vulcanized rubbers are available in butyl, ethylene propylene

diene monomer (EPDM), and neoprene rubber. These
materials are vulcanized by the addition of sulfur and heat to
achieve better elasticity and durability properties. Membrane
thickness for all rubber systems ranges from 3060 mil. These
materials are nonbreathable, and will disbond or blister if
negative vapor drive is present. As with thermoplastic
materials, vulcanized rubbers are available in rolls of varying
widths. Seam sealing is by a solvent-based adhesive, as heat
welding is not applicable. A separate adhesive application to
vertical areas is necessary before applying membranes.
Vulcanized rubber systems incorporate loosely laid
applications for horizontal installations.

Above-grade
waterproofing
A combination of materials or

systems that prevents water

intrusion into exposed structure
elements. These materials can be
subject to hydrostatic pressure
from wind conditions and are
exposed
to
weathering
and
pollutant attack.

Damp proofing
Materials resistant to water

vapor or minor amounts of

moisture that act as backup
systems to barrier systems or
an integral part of drainage
systems.

Flashing
Materials or systems installed to

redirect water entering through

the building skin back to the
exterior. Flashings are installed
as
integral
components
of
waterproofing, roofing, and damp
proofing systems. They also can
act as diversion systems.

Diversions
Diversions redirect water being

forced
against
envelope
components
and
divert
it
elsewhere before it infiltrates or
absorbs
into
the
substrate.
Examples
include
flashings,
downspouts,
sloped
concrete
decks, and drainage mats.

Building Envelope
The

combination
of
roofing,
waterproofing,
damp
proofing,
flashing, and diversion systems in
combination with all exterior facade
elements acting cohesively as a
complete barrier to natural forces
and elements, particularly water and
weather intrusion. These systems
envelop a building or structure from
top to bottom, from below grade to

MOST IMPORTANT
PRINCIPLE
The 90% / 1% principle:
90 percent of all water
intrusion problems occur
within 1 percent of the total
building
or
structure
exterior surface area.

SECOND MOST
IMPORTANT
The 99% principle:

Approximately 99 percent of
waterproofing
leaks
are
attributable to causes other
than material or system
failures.

Surface water control

Water present at below-grade surfaces is

available from two sourcessurface water

and groundwater. Beyond selection and
installation
of
proper
waterproofing
materials, all waterproof installations must
include methods for control and drainage
of both surface and groundwater.

Ground water control

Besides

protection
from
normal
groundwater levels, allowance is made for
temporary rises in groundwater levels to
protect interior areas. Groundwater levels
rise due to rain accumulations and natural
capillary action of soils. Waterproof
materials must be applied in heights
sufficient to prevent infiltration during
temporarily raised groundwater levels.

Water Stops
Whenever a construction joint occurs in a

below-grade concrete structure, a water

stop should be installed in the joint to
prevent the transmission of water
through the joint. Construction joints, also
referred to as cold-joints, occur when
one section of concrete placed and cured
or partially cured before the adjacent
concrete placement occurs.

Water stops

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Neoprene rubber

Thermoplastic rubber

Hydrophilic (modified chlorophene)

Bentonite clay

Asphalt plastic

Cementations system
Cementations waterproofing systems contain a

base of Portland cement, with or without sand,

and an active waterproofing agent. There are
four types of cementations systems: metallic,
capillary system, chemical additive systems,
and acrylic modified systems. Cementations
systems are effective in both positive and
negative applications, as well as in remedial
applications. These systems are brushed or
toweled to concrete or masonry surfaces and
become an integral part of a substrate.

Cementation system
Metallic System
Metallic materials contain a mixture of sand and
cement with finely graded iron aggregate or
filings. When mixed with water to form a slurry
for application, the water acts as an agent
permitting the iron filings to oxidize. These
materials expand due to this oxidizing, which
then effectively seals a substrate and prohibits
further transmission of water through

Cementation System
Capillary/crystalline systems are mixtures of cement and

sand in combination with proprietary chemical

derivatives in dry or liquid form. The systems are
applied in trowel, brush, or spray applications. Unlike
other cementations systems however, capillary have the
additional advantage of an application using only the
dry mix product that is broadcast directly over concrete
that has not yet reached final set and cure. This is
referred to as the dry-shake method, commonly used
on slab components as a vapor barrier, as additional
protection with below-grade slab waterproofing systems,
or as a stand-alone waterproofing system.

Cementation system
Chemical cementations systems are a mixture of

sand, cement, and proprietary chemicals (inorganic

or organic), which when applied to masonry or
concrete substrates provide a watertight substrate
by chemical action. Proprietary chemicals are
unique to each manufacturer, but typically include
silicate and siloxane derivatives in combination
with other chemicals. While the chemicals do not
penetrate the substrate like the other cementations
systems, chemical systems also effectively become
an integral part of the substrate after application.

Cementation System
Acrylic modified cementations systems add

acrylic emulsions to a basic cement-and-sand

mixture. These acrylics add waterproofing
characteristics and properties to in-place
materials. Acrylic systems are applied in two
trowel applications, with a reinforcing added into
the first layer immediately upon application. This
mesh adds some crack-bridging capabilities to
acrylic installations. However, since the systems
bond tenaciously to concrete or masonry
substrates, movement capability is limited.

Urethane

Urethane systems are available in one- or twocomponent materials. Black coloring is added only to
make those people who believe waterproofing is still
black mastic comfortable with the product. Urethanes
are solvent-based, requiring substrates to be completely
dry to avoid membrane blistering. These systems have
the highest elastomeric capabilities of fluid-applied
membranes,
averaging
500750
percent
by
standardized testing. Urethanes have good resistance to
all chemicals likely to be encountered in below-grade
conditions, as well as resistance against alkaline
conditions of masonry substrates.

Rubberized asphalts

Rubberized asphalt sheet systems originally

evolved for use in pipeline protection
applications. Sheet goods of rubberized
asphalt are available in self-adhering rolls with
a polyethylene film attached. Self-adhering
membranes adhere to themselves, eliminating
the need for a seam adhesive. Sheets are
manufactured in varying widths of 34 ft and
typically 50-ft lengths.

Fluid System
Fluid-applied waterproof materials are solventbased mixtures containing a base of
urethanes, rubbers, plastics, vinyls, polymeric
asphalts, or combinations thereof. Fluid
membranes are applied as a liquid and cure to
form a seamless sheet.

Rubber derivatives

Rubber derivative systems are compounds of

butyls, neoprenes, or hypalons in a solvent base.
Solvents make these materials flammable and
toxic. They have excellent elastomeric
capability, but less than that of urethane
membranes. Rubber systems are resistant to
environmental chemicals likely to be
encountered below grade. As with most fluid
membranes, toxicity requires safety training of
mechanics in their use and disposal.

Polymeric asphalt

A chemical polymerization of asphalts improves the

generic asphalt material qualities sufficiently to
allow their use as a below-grade waterproofing
material. Asphalt compounds not require drying and
curing of a masonry substrate, and some
manufacturers allow installation of their asphalt
membranes over uncured concrete. However,
asphalt materials are not resistant to chemical
attack as are other fluid systems. These membranes
have limited life-cycling and are used less frequently
than other available systems.

Polyvinyl chloride

Solvent-based PVC or plastics are not

extensively used in liquid-applied
waterproofing . These derivatives are more
often used as sheet membranes for roofing.
Their elastomeric capabilities are less than
other fluid systems and have higher material
costs. They do offer high resistance to
chemical attack for below-grade applications.

Coal tar and asphalt-modified urethane systems

lessen the cost of the material while still

performing effectively. Extenders of asphalt or
coal tar limit the elastomeric capabilities and
chemical resistance of these membranes. Coal
tar derivatives are especially toxic, and present
difficulties in installing in confined spaces such
as small planters. Coal tar can cause burns and
irritations to exposed skin areas. Field
mechanics should take necessary precautions to
protect themselves from the materials hazards.

Thermoplastics

Thermoplastic sheet-good systems are

available in three compositions: PVC,
chlorinated polyurethane (CPE), and
chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE), which
is referred to as hypalon. Materials are
manufactured in rolls of varying widths, but
difficulty with vertical applications makes
smaller widths more manageable.

Vulcanized rubbers

Vulcanized rubbers are available in butyl, ethylene propylene

diene monomer (EPDM), and neoprene rubber. These
materials are vulcanized by the addition of sulfur and heat to
achieve better elasticity and durability properties. Membrane
thickness for all rubber systems ranges from 3060 mil. These
materials are non-breathable, and will disband or blister if
negative vapor drive is present. As with thermoplastic
materials, vulcanized rubbers are available in rolls of varying
widths. Seam sealing is by a solvent-based adhesive, as heat
welding is not applicable. A separate adhesive application to
vertical areas is necessary before applying membranes.
Vulcanized
rubber
systems
incorporate
loosely
laid
applications for horizontal installations.

Bentonite clay
is an excellent waterproofing material, but it must
be hydrated properly for successful applications.
Clay hydration must occur just after installation and
backfilling, since the material must be fully hydrated
and swelled to become watertight. This hydration
and swelling must occur within a confined area after
backfill for the waterproofing properties to be
effective. Precaution must be taken to ensure the
confined space is adequate for clay to swell. If
insufficient, materials can raise floor slabs or cause
concrete cracking due to the swelling action.