Where Is Crystalline Waterproofing Most Useful?
Certain concrete structures are naturally at greater risk of water ingress.
The highest-risk structures usually have one thing in common:
continuous or repeated exposure to water.
Examples include below-ground structures and structures designed to contain water.
Basement Waterproofing
Basement walls can be subjected to moisture and hydrostatic pressure from surrounding ground.
Potential entry points include:
- cracks;
- joints;
- tie holes;
- porous concrete;
- penetrations; and
- wall-to-slab interfaces.
Xypex crystalline products are marketed for foundations, basements and underground structures, including preventative admixture and remedial surface-applied treatments.
Water Tanks and Reservoirs
Water-retaining structures create the opposite challenge.
Instead of preventing groundwater from coming in, the structure must prevent stored water from escaping while maintaining the integrity of the concrete.
Waterproofing therefore has to address:
- concrete permeability;
- joints;
- cracks;
- pipe penetrations;
- defective concrete; and
- construction sequencing.
Xypex identifies reservoirs and other water-holding structures among the applications for both its admixture and coating systems.
Lift Pits
Lift pits are often among the lowest parts of a building.
They can consequently become collection points for groundwater leakage.
Even relatively small defects can cause persistent water accumulation.
Treatment may therefore involve crystalline coating, leak plugging, joint treatment or combinations of waterproofing technologies.
Retaining Walls and Foundations
Once retaining walls and foundations are backfilled, external access becomes difficult.
Waterproofing decisions should therefore ideally be made before backfilling.
For existing structures, internal remedial treatments may sometimes be considered after proper diagnosis.
This is why waterproofing needs to be planned as part of construction rather than treated simply as a finishing trade.
