Experts from the industry talk about the various product innovations that will drive the waterproofing segment in 2016

  Waterproofing of any structure is an essential factor for long-term durability and performance. Structural design and construction are key elements of a project and it demands significant technical attention. Moisture infiltration and humidity can cause severe damage and if excess water is present the impact of the same can be catastrophic at times, it can lead to structural failure or it can become uninhabitable.

Following are the few product innovations that will drive the waterproofing segment in 2016:

1 Complete solution for waterproofng
Rapid urbanisation has led to growing problems of damp and saltpetre in most households. Nearly 80 per cent of Indian households are facing problems of damp, saltpetre, leakage, seepage, peeling of paints, etc.

Sanjib Parial, Managing Director, ADO Additives MFG Pvt Ltd says, “There was no complete and single solution available in the market prior to the launch of Convac Plus and Convac System. We are claiming with confidence and pride that Convac Plus does 100 per cent damp-proof and waterproof and stops saltpetre. Apart from the stated major claims of the product; Convac Plus has great adhesion strength and minimises rebound loss thus directly leading to savings of the consumer. Also it demonstrates higher compressive strength compared to market available products in similar category.”

Convac Plus’s benefits are as follows:
• 100 per cent damp-proof and waterproof
• Inhibits the development of efflorescence
• Stops penetration of damp which encourages the appearance of saltpetre
• It strengthens and consolidates the surface damaged by damp
• It has anti-termite and anti-fungal properties and helps to keep walls beautiful
• Easy to use
• Ideal for new construction as well as repair
• Healthy and durable solution
• Cost effective
• Suitable for both internal and external plastering.

An effective waterproofing system needs to be durable both during and after construction and need to be robust and durable for the life of the structure. Having a premature failure of a waterproofing system can be catastrophic and costly. Ideal waterproofing is a combination of quality product backed by excellent and trained application team; which now-a-days is not easily available in rural markets hence a cause of concern.

There is no single universal waterproofing system that can work in all situations. “Convac and Convac Plus are now available which as we claim is complete waterproofing and damp proofing solution,” claims Parial. When selecting this system, it is important to understand if the waterproofing system is considered to be on the positive side or negative side waterproofing system.  What does that mean? In general, negative side waterproofing means that the waterproofing layer is applied to that side of the construction member which is opposite to the side that is in direct contact with water. Reverse of the same is positive side waterproofing. “It is always advisable to do the waterproofing system from the positive side for better results. Only if the positive side is inaccessible negative side waterproofing is to be done,” Parial suggests.

Convac System is a waterproofing additive in semi-liquid form for mortars and concretes. It does not modify the setting time, the hardening time but increase the final strength of cement mixtures.
“Convac System, due to its unique and innovative formulationgives hardened mortars and concretes excellent impermeability to beating and counter thrusting water (more than four bars); therefore it is particularly suitable for internal and external plasters and concretes and to make foundations,” says Parial.

Convac System, an integral waterproofing product, it is possible to waterproof the whole thickness of the concrete, thus shielding it from attack of aggressive and polluted waters and protecting the steel reinforcements of the whole structure.

Convac System can be applied on both sides of waterproofing system wherever needed. There is application scope, suitability and ease of application with Convac System.

Convac System is one of the innovative solutions for concrete and masonry works. This system densifies the concrete or mortar matrix to an optimum level and permeability of liquid water which carries electrolytes is reduced to nil.

Typical waterproofing system is carried through the following procedures:
• Surface preparation
• Crack treatment
• Product application
• Protection plaster or screed
Operations like surface preparation and crack treatment, which saves both – cost and time can be avoided with Convac System. It is cost effective and chances of failure are reduced.

“The foundations of the buildings which form the walls of basements and garages do not require any further waterproof treatment if the concrete is made with the addition of Convac System. It is important to remember that to ensure good waterproofing, the concrete must be properly planned and has a dosage of cement not lower than 300 kg/m3, and then Convac System becomes highly effective. The intrusion of foreign bodies such as wood, soluble materials, porous materials and loose stones into the concrete may jeopardise the impermeability of the structure,” observes Parial.

Unlike many ready-to-useproducts available in the market, Convac System makes plasters easily applicable to further masonry work and its high adhesive nature lowers rebound loss.

Parial informs, “After a treatment with silicone solutions it never allows any subsequent treatment, the plasters done with Convac System allow any kind of surface treatment without any problems.”

2 Nanotechnology
“Nanotechnology is the most attractive and forging technology that permits us to develop materials with improved performance and new properties for everyday use,” states Arun Nandi, Technical Head, Rossari Biotech Ltd.

The final performance and life of any construction structure heavily depends on the construction materials and construction chemicals being used at micro and nanoscale including its protection.

XL Silicoat Nano is a liquid applied single component silicone coating which is an excellent product for versatile use in roof waterproofing applications. This type of elastic silicone coating has excellent applications over various types of roofing substrates like concrete, galvanised or coated metals, spray applied PU foam, water borne acrylic coatings, brick etc.

Nano engineering leads to unique method of weather proof protection of roof using nano silicon as one of the most advanced and highly efficient protective waterproof coating. The unique property of elastic water repellant silicone coating has excellent barrier property because it adheres to all types of mentioned roofing substrates and finally it forms durable, breathable, water tight and weather proof barrier which is very tough and elastic as well as it is extremely resistant to degradation from UV and natural weathering. Additionally this type of special coating has long term resistance to natural weathering of all four seasons at various temperature exposures, i.e. from freezing to high temperature, heavy rain, snow fall, wind and UV radation etc. This high performance water proofing coating can be applied with the help of rollers, brushes or spray equipment.

XL Silicoat Nano is flexible but tough having elongation of about 200 per cent, Shore A hardness of 30 to 35, tensile strength of 1.5 Mpa , highly durable with tear strength of 14 KN/m, shear thinning rheology, highly penetrating and superb wetting characteristics with moderate viscosity.

“XL Silicoat Nano is having excellent standing water resistance as compared to all types of normal acrylic based standard roof waterproofing membranes available in Indian and world market. Optimisation of coating thickness and judicious application process will help in both the desired characteristics of the waterproofing system, i.e., optimum film formation versus substrate penetration for adhesion and life expectancy of the final cured coating membrane on roof, terrace or balcony. The application temperature should be above 4 degree celcius; lower temperature will increase the skin formation, tack free and curing time. XL Silicoat Nano is unique in the nano technology driven waterproofing coating because it is having 100 per cent reactive organo silane nano sealer which is an integral part of the coating structure,” explains Nandi.

Comparative photographs of silicone versus acrylic coating are shown below:

3 Waterproofing with liquid membranes
The concept of liquid waterproofing has existed since the early 1800s, when natural bitumen was combined with jute, straw, rag felt and other man made materials to provide a waterproofing solution. Apart from liquid waterproofing membranes there are other different kinds of waterproofing system; they can be preformed membranes Like APP membrane (SuperThermolay), PVC membrane and integral waterproofing compounds.

Waterproofing with liquid membranes has gained popularity due to:
• Ease of application or user friendly
• It is a fully bonded system , thus ensures  greater security against infiltration or damages to liquid  membrane
• System is seamless, i.e. without joints
• They can be installed easily on any contour surface.

The liquid membranes (bitumen, resin, acrylic, polyurethane, water or solvent based, in one or two components) can be used in civil, industrial projects.

“The main application is waterproofing of roofs, balconies, terraces, roof-gardens and planters’ tubs, walls, parking lots and concrete structures, but also they can be used to waterproof surfaces and concrete walls, against-ground water. STP Ltd is one of the pioneer companies for waterproofing which was established well back in 1935 and is trusted for generations, STP has the largest range of new generation and traditional waterproofing products in India,” informs Hasan Rizvi, Vice President, STP Ltd. 

• Two-components cementitious elastomeric liquid applied waterproofing membrane: ShaliCem EWP of STP Ltd can be reinforced with glass fibers and is used for waterproofing roof, sunken, watertank, swimming pools, foundations, retaining walls etc.

• Liquid polyurethane materials: ShaliUrethane LHM and ShaliUrethane BTD, ShaliUrethane FCM 2001E can be used for all types of waterproofing, applied by roller or airless spray  to waterproof  balconies, roof deck, mechanical equipment rooms, wet rooms,  terraces garden system etc.

• Liquid applied tarfelt LM material: This category of product are versatile because they allow to repair old tarfelt waterproofing solutions without dismantling the existing system, can be used on asbestos roofing, metal sheets, concrete  and wood. This can be further coated with liquid applied waterproof paint ShaliCryl215 single component UV resistant elastomeric coating.

4 Quality assured products
Devrajsinh Gohil, Managing Director, CETCON Building Technologies Pvt Ltd. adds, “Our prime objective is to maintain quality in the products and to meet this we have established a in- house testing lab where all the products are tested on various parameters under the close vigil of our quality controllers. Also, the basic material we use in the processing is checked before it is sent in production plant. Furthermore, to ascertain secure transit of the products at clients’ end, we pack these in excellent quality packaging material.”

• Integral waterproofing liquid for Concrete
CETPROOF IWL 117: The product improves workability of concrete and reduces permeability through the depth of concrete, prevents segregation and bleeding and increases durability of concrete is maintained. It also prevents formation of cracks due to reduction in shrinkage.

• Styrene butadiene rubber based multipurpose adhesive
CETCRETE SBR 417: The product has improved tensile and flexural strength and it has high resistance to water penetration. It increases durability and toughness and has a good bonding old to new concrete.

• Elastomeric cementitious coating
CETCON 2K 517: Thermal expansion is similar to concrete. The product is non-toxic and weather resistant.

• Acrylic Latex based polymer component
CETCRETE Latex 1317: The product reduces water absorption, thus providing waterproofing properties and it has a good bond to concrete and masonry.

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Convac Plus has great adhesion strength and minimises rebound loss thus directly leading to savings of the consumer.

Sanjib Parial,
Managing Director,
ADO Additives MFG Pvt Ltd
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Nanotechnology is the most attractive and forging technology that permits us to develop materials with improved performance and new properties for everyday use.

Arun Nandi,
Technical Head,
Rossari Biotech Ltd
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STP has the largest range of new generation and traditional waterproofing products in India

Hasan Rizvi,
Vice President,
STP Ltd