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MATERIALS FOR WATER PROOFING

& DAMP-PROOFING
Water proofing materials & systems:-
Classified under following categories-
i) Water proofing with bitumen membranes
(plastomeric systems)
ii) Water proofing with elastomeric paints.
iii) Water proofing with epoxy formulations.
iv) Integral water proofing of cement plaster &
concrete.
v) Waterproofing by slurry coats by capillary &
crystallization system.

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i) WATER PROOFING WITH BITUMINOUS
SHEETS
Two types of plastic-based bitumen sheets are
available now-a-days in the market.
One like traditional felt , which is to be stuck to the
surface to be water-proofed with hot blown asphalt &
other one is designed, so that the underside of the
sheet is a thermo fusible film, which can be heated
by a gas flame torch & then stick to hot surface. The
later is more popular than former one.
This bituminous system is called the plastomeric
system. One of the major disadvantages of the
system is the problem of renewal. Most of the
membranes last five to six years. Further, it requires
extensive surface preparation like removal of old
treatment for their renewal & reinstallation at later
stage.
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ii) WATER-PROOFING BY ELASTOMERIC
PAINTS
A large number of ready-to-use cold applied elastic
(elastomeric) membrane-forming compounds are
available for water proofing, now-a-days. These
compounds are special paints & their elastomeric
feature distinguish from ordinary paints. These
coatings are normally applied in film thickness of 0.5
to 0.75 mm, using a roller, spray or brush. The
thickness is approximately ten times thicker of
traditional paints. They are basically 5 types:-
i) Acrylic based; ii) Polyurethane-based; iii) Hypalon-
based; iv) Polyvinyl acetate copolymer-based; v)
Polymerized elastomeric bitumen, penetrating oils &
other admixtures.
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iii) WATERPROOFING WITH EPOXY
FORMULATIONS
Epoxy materials is a two-phase system of
araldite & hardener with or without filling
materials.
Used mainly for structural repairing of concrete
as well as waterproofing of terraces, toilet slabs
etc.
Two coats of epoxy mix consisting of araldite GY
257 & hardener HY 840 in equal proportions by
weight are found to give good results as a
waterproofing material.
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iv) INTEGRAL WATERPROOFING
Concrete having cement content of over 300kg/m3
(as in 1:2:4 mix) & water-cement ratio between 0.4 &
0.5 gives very good impermeable concrete.
In order to improve placeability with the above water-
cement ratio, plasticizers or super plasticizers can
be added. Other cheaper Chemicals called integral
waterproofing compounds are available in powder or
liquid form.
They are added to cement or cement concrete during
the time of mixing at the rate of one kg per bag of
cement. Their main action is to improve workability
with reduction in required quantity of water for
placement. This water reduction reduces the
permeability of concrete.
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DAMP-PROOF COURSE (DPC)
Damp-proofing of foundation is necessary to
prevent capillary rise of water in the wall & also in
ground floor. The following materials are
commonly used for damp-proofing:-
i) Hot bitumen, bituminous felts, plastic sheet, metal
sheet of lead, copper etc.
ii) Materials like mastic asphalt
iii) Rigid materials bricks, stones, slates etc.
iv) Mortar with water-proofing compounds
v) Cement concrete with water-proofing compounds
vi) Coarse sand layer under floors
vii) Continuous plastic sheets under floors.
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WATERPROOFING OF ROOFS
Methods of waterproofing of roofs depend on
the type of roofs & the details of construction.
The following four methods are mostly used:-
i) Lime concrete terracing for waterproofing of
concrete roofs.
ii) Waterproofing with bituminous sheets
iii) Waterproofing with elastomeric paints
iv) By using waterproofing slurry on the roof &
covering it with tiles.
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REFELECTIVE SURFACES FOR
ROOFS
Black surfaces absorb heat from the sun &
hence, light or white surfaces are
preferred for roofs.
For roofs with no traffic like sloping roofs,
domes etc., aluminum paint can be
applied.
Ordinary white washing of the roof surface
with lime in summer is claimed to reduce
the inside temperature by few degrees.