Featuring the most advanced offerings for roof waterproofing.

Why Waterproof Roofs?
In any construction, the longevity of the building depends to a great extent on the waterproofing of the roof. One should bear in mind that the roof accounts for 30 per cent of the structure’s surface, so it pays to have it correctly waterproofed to keep the rest of the structure safe from damage due to water seepage. If a new roof is waterproofed correctly, it will increase the life of the structure, thus be a great convenience to the residents and also add to the reputation of the builder.

Dr. Sanjay Bahadur-Global CEO, Construction Chemical Division, Pidilite Industries, states, “The issue of waterproofing the roof has to be dealt with care and one must ensure that the right products are being used in the right manner. Conventionally, the concrete roof slab is covered with Brick Bat Coba (BBC), Mud phuska, China mosaic, tiles or screed to provide a slope to drain rain water. While most believe that this waterproofs, with time this top layer cracks, allowing ingress of water into the roof slab. This leads to leakage and corrosion of the steel, thereby weakening the roof slab and causing dampness inside the house.”

Waterproofing that lasts
To give longevity to one’s roof and ensure that the waterproofing lasts atleast twice as long as conventional methods, Dr. Fixit has developed waterproof coatings which create an impervious barrier between the concrete slab and the layer above. He adds, “Dr. Fixit Waterproof coatings being elastic in nature can withstand temperature variations and can bridge micro-cracks thus preventing ingress of water.”

Dr. Fixit Blueseal
The advantages of these new roof waterproofing products are many, including faster application and less labour intensive. In fact, when it comes to ease of application, nothing can beat the spray applied waterproofing products like the Dr. Fixit Blueseal, which is 5 times faster application than that of Brick Bat Coba and offers 3 times more life expectancy. Moreover, it is without joints, making it a strong and seamless barrier against water seepage. Bahadur adds, “Dr. Fixit Roofseal is another excellent brush applied product that is recommended for new roofs. It should be directly applied on the concrete slab and it creates an impermeable layer under the conventional system like Brickbat coba (BBC), Mud phuska and China mosaic.

Dr. Fixit Roofseal Flex
Another heavy duty cementitious waterproof coating for new roofs is the Dr. Fixit Roofseal Flex. Bahadur opines, “It is a two component product, consisting of a powder component and polymer. The slurry thus formed by mixing the two, is applied on new roofs and it forms a seamless, highly elastic, non-toxic waterproofing layer on the roof with a life expectancy of 7 years.”

Dr. Fixit Torchshield
For flat roofs, Dr. Fixit also recommends Dr. Fixit Torchshield, which is an APP based polyester reinforced membrane, which is an easy-to-lay, torch-on membrane with a system life expectancy of more than 5 years.

Dr. Fixit Newcoat Coool
Such products have been researched and designed especially for the Indian climatic conditions by Dr. Fixit. Infact, Dr. Fixit has also come up with a product called the Dr. Fixit Newcoat Coool that not only waterproofs the roof but also insulates it, thus keeping the building cool during the hot days. In fact, it can reduce the building surface temperature by 8°!

Bahadur observed roofs waterproofed with these modern systems are less labour intensive and therefore are quick. He further explains, “These waterproofing systems are flexible enough to accommodate the movements in the surface and bridge the cracks that appear over a period of time. They can thus last for a minimum of 7 years without need of repairs.”

Hence, as one can see, no matter what the roofing style or requirements may be, Dr. Fixit has a waterproofing solution for all of them. Dr. Fixit not only has the best products for every surface area, but also provides guidance from professional consultants on right application methods and detailing. When one work with the best, one gets the best!

Krystol T1 – Crystalline surface applied waterproofing
Ajay Kudesia, Vice President – Sales, Kryton Buildmat Co Pvt Ltd, informs, “For waterproofing of roofs we offer our crystalline coating product Krystol T1. This specially designed coating penetrates to the depth of the concrete and reacts with unhydrated cement and water to form needle type crystals that seal the porosity in the concrete and makes the concrete waterproof. It forms an integral part of concrete. Once the concrete has cured, the crystalline chemicals sit dormant until another dose of water (such as through a new crack) causes the chemical reaction to begin again. The ability to reactivate in the presence of water gives Krystol-treated concrete the ability to “self-seal”.

When cracks form due to curing shrinkage, settling, seismic activity, etc., water entering through them causes new crystals to form and grow, blocking and filling the cracks. This ability to self-seal can help to dramatically reduce the long-term maintenance and repair costs of a concrete structure. An additional benefit is that Krystol Technology doesn’t need absolutely dry conditions to apply and can be used during rains. As long as there is construction on the site, waterproofing can be done. Kudesia adds, “This system is also a lot more economical than the conventional waterproofing systems as it saves on time, labour and even space. And, even though the system is externally applied it is not prone to any damage caused by abrasion or impact as it works from the inside as opposed to conventional barrier-based systems that only block water from the outside.”

Crack bridging waterproofing – KOSTER Elastic Roof
M N Ramesh, Director, Talrak Construction Chemicals Pvt Ltd, says, “Crack bridging waterproofing means that the waterproofing system remains intact even though the substrate has cracked. Often, “crack bridging” is confused with “elastic”. A material may be elastic but not waterproof when stretched. It may also be waterproof at first but not able to withstand water pressure.”

Corners and pipe penetrations are among the areas which are considered to be at high risk of cracking. When a substrate cracks, the flanks of the crack move against each other, and stress the waterproofing layer.

Even elastic waterproofing materials can reach the limits of their elasticity if the crack width becomes too great or crack movement is frequent enough. Therefore, it makes sense to take preventive measures in such areas to avoid damage to the waterproofing.

When working with KÖSTER Elastic Roof, KÖSTER Glass Fibre Mesh can be embedded into the first fresh layer of the waterproofing. Ramesh adds, “This ensures that the waterproofing layer is not damaged even if the substrate cracks. If the substrate cracks, the mesh will keep the waterproofing layer over the crack from tearing.”

Ramesh explains the product is simple to apply, seamless liquid waterproofing material that has all the important properties a typical roof waterproofing material should possess with the following advantages:
• Crack bridging capability
• Highly flexible and water vapour permeable
• White colour reflects sunlight and heat
• Free of VOC´s (Volatile Organic Compounds), free of polyurethanes, Isocyanates and bitumen hence and environmentally friendly
• Resistant against ageing, hydrolysis and UV-rays
• Suitable for dry and slightly damp substrates
• Very good adhesion to various substrates and to itself.

Waterproofing solutions
Hasan Rizvi, Vice President, STP Ltd, says, “The concept of liquid waterproofing has existed since centuries, when natural bitumen was combined with jute, straw, rag felt and other man made materials to provide a waterproofing solution.”

He adds, “Apart from liquid waterproofing membranes there are other different kinds of waterproofing system they can be preformed membranes like APP membrane (SuperThermolay), 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.

Their 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. Apart from other brands, STP Ltd is one of the pioneer company for waterproofing which was established well back in 1935 Trusted for generations, STP has the largest range of new generation and traditional waterproofing products in India.

Two-component 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 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 also very versatile because they allow one 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 ShaliCryl 215 single component UV Resistant Elastomeric coating.

Dr. Fixit Waterproof coatings being elastic in nature can withstand temperature variations and can bridge micro-cracks thus preventing ingress of water.
Dr. Sanjay Bahadur-Global CEO, Construction Chemical Division, Pidilite Industries

The ability to reactivate in the presence of water gives Krystol-treated concrete the ability to “self-seal”.
Ajay Kudesia, Vice President – Sales, Kryton Buildmat Co Pvt Ltd

A material may be elastic but not waterproof when stretched. It may also be waterproof at first but not able to withstand water pressure.
M N Ramesh, Director, Talrak Construction Chemicals Pvt Ltd

ShaliUrethane LHM and ShaliUrethane BTD can be used for all types of waterproofing, applied by roller or airless spray to waterproof balconies.
Hasan Rizvi, Vice President, STP Ltd