How to distinguish waterproof concrete from ordinary concrete? Types of waterproofing additives + Photo and Video

Waterproof concrete is a dense material. The composition of waterproof concrete has no voids, the seams between the sections are filled with a special waterproofing agent. Waterproof concrete has a number of specific characteristics, which are distinguished by great advantages and wide application.

What is waterproof concrete for? If you need to make sure that water does not seep through concrete, then concrete with waterproof properties is what you need. For example, if you need to pour a concrete floor, walls of a cellar, garage or basement, which isolate the room from ground moisture; Sump walls to prevent waste from entering the groundwater; The bottom of the decorative pond.

How to distinguish waterproof concrete from ordinary concrete?

General information

Waterproof concrete is designated by the letter W with ordinal honest numbers from two to twenty. What does it mean? This designation refers to the pressure level at which concrete with a waterproof composition can withstand the pressure of water and prevent moisture from forming.

The water resistance of concrete is a specific characteristic that a concrete solution has. This is influenced by a large number of factors, including:

• Environmental impact;
• Age of the composition. The older the concrete, the higher and better its waterproofing properties;
• Additives used.

  For example, adding aluminum sulfate to the concrete mix will increase the density of the concrete.

There are other ways to achieve the waterproofing of concrete, which builders use:

• Waterproof the surface of concrete structures;
• Mix additives to concrete in the preparation of the mixture.

The first method is very labor-intensive and not cheap. Plus, waterproof concrete made in this way is short-lived, because over time the insulating properties of such a material decompose and fail.

The second method is waterproofing additives.

Additives are added to the solution during its manufacture, and in this case, the concrete retains its waterproof properties throughout its entire life cycle.

When mixing concrete, pores always form. The more pores, the lower the water resistance of the concrete composition. After pouring, concrete must be compacted.

Attention.

Pores remain even in well-compacted concrete. Pores are the main and worst enemy of concrete construction. Through these pores, water penetrates inside and freezes at subzero temperatures, thereby expanding the pores - the volume reaches 90%. Because of this, great pressure begins to act on the pore walls, which leads to the formation of cracks.

Properties of waterproofing additives

Attention.

Waterproofing additives do not eliminate pores and cracks in the concrete structure. They create a water-repellent barrier.

This barrier prevents the penetration of water into the interior of the material. With such additives, concrete has the highest level of water resistance.

With this method, the shrinkage should be minimal.

To achieve this, builders do the following:

• Moisten fresh concrete for the first three days every three hours;
• Cover the area filled with concrete with wet burlap;
• A special agent is used that forms a film.

Disadvantages of waterproofing additives

A fat minus when adding a waterproofing additive to the concrete mixture is an increase in the thermal conductivity of the structure. This is due to the fact that the pores inside the concrete are like air bubbles.

Attention. The more pores, the higher the thermal conductivity of the material.

How to make waterproof concrete with your own hands?

There are several types of waterproofing additives for concrete on the market:

• Dry mix with expanding effect. They are introduced into the cracks of already hardened concrete, where they expand and become a single monolithic mass;
• Dry mixture with a penetrating effect - they are introduced into the solution at the manufacturing stage;
• Dry mixtures with an expanding effect for application on the surface of freshly poured concrete;
• Pressure sealant. This agent is not included in the concrete mix. They usually cover the surface in those places where the concrete has cracked.

What brands of waterproof concrete exist

The modern market presents a huge range of building materials.

It is quite difficult for an ordinary buyer to determine the brand he needs. To do this, you need to know the labeling and application of these mixtures in business.

There are requirements for brands according to GOST, which give a certain result. Each brand has its own limitations. It is according to the classification of brands that the builder understands what pressure a concrete structure can withstand.

Attention. Experienced builders use concrete grades with a water resistance level of at least W6.

Conclusion

It is important to be able to select the grade of concrete and its practical purpose, therefore it is better to entrust such an important stage in building a house as pouring the foundation to professionals.