The difference between sealant compounds and damp proof

It is necessary to know the difference between watertight and damp proof concrete to increase impenetrability since reducing concrete permeability with sealants is one of the important issues which is used in some concrete structures.

Some of the projects need this product and it is necessary to use these concrete admixtures depending on the condition of the project. It is noteworthy that these concrete admixtures vary therefore, the difference between these two products is studied regarding their function in building construction.

The difference between watertight and damp-proof concrete

The words “concrete sealant” and “concrete damp proof” are usually used interchangeably, while the word “damp proof” refers to the methods that make the concrete impermeable against steam of the concrete or water with very low pressure.

Vice versa, waterproofing is referred to the methods that make the concrete impermeable against water under high pressure. It is better to be familiar with these concrete admixtures to understand the difference between watertight damp proof concrete. These two products have been introduced in the following.

Waterproofing concrete admixtures of concrete

This concrete admixture reduces water penetration inside the concrete and prevents the water from moving inside the concrete as well as limiting the free water movement.

The damp-proofing admixtures of concrete

These concrete admixtures prevent the concrete from moisture as well as water movement in the capillary pores of the concrete.:

The mechanism of waterproof and damp-proof performance

The performance of the waterproof admixture has 2 ways:

The first type prevents water penetration by filling pores and making them small. The SilCoat CS590 is one of the concrete admixtures of this type which makes the concrete waterproof by this mechanism.

The second type will waterproof by blocking concrete pores. Concrete adhesion and other polymer resins that are in the concrete and the production stage of the concrete are included in this type of admixture.

The damp proof admixture of the concrete functions on the surface of the concrete. For example, the SilCoat W prevents water penetration by concrete by lubricating the concrete surface and the concrete will not be wet. 

The usage of the watertight and damp-proof concrete

The usage of the watertight concrete: the watertight concrete must be used wherever there is hydrostatic pressure. For example, concrete water tanks, bridges, dam and tunnel construction, swimming pool, etc.

The usage of the damp proof concrete: the damp proof concrete or the admixtures including SilCoat CS590, SilCoat W, and SilCoat S must be used in projects where there is no hydrostatic pressure and wetting concrete matters. The price of the products including SilCoat CS590, SilCoat W, and SilCoat S changes regarding the market volatility and you should purchase them according to market price.

The test method of the damp proof and determination of the adsorption percentage

The determination of the water content adsorption based on BS.566 Standard published in 1972 is in a way that the water content is obtained by measuring the changes in the weight of the floating specimen inside the water.

Since no specific value is considered in this test, the test will only be suitable if the comparative values are desired.

The preliminary surface adsorption test based on the BS.1881 Standard, published in 1970 also shows that this method is the water penetration inside the concrete in terms of the surface of the concrete and its amount will be obtained after a while.   

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The water content percentage test- based on the Australian Association Standard also shows that it is necessary to measure the amount of water penetration inside the concrete.

The Waterproof Standards

There is no specific standard in the field of the performance and the instruction of using watertight concrete admixtures due to problems that will occur when providing the penetration results.

Therefore, determining the effect of these materials will face some problems. Hence, the test methods and the manufacturer’s recommendations for the carried-out tests show that the adsorption or permeability in the observed specimens is highly dependent on the permeability.

The waterproof admixtures inside the concrete 

If the mixing ratios of concrete are obtained properly and the mixture is placed and maintained correctly, it becomes fully impermeable under pressures with a height of 30 m and it is not necessary to use complementary admixtures or other surface operations.

Some specific materials are complementary mixtures that have to be used with respect to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Since the complementary mixtures are not expected to compensate for the weakness of the original mixture, it is necessary to consider the extra expense that is paid for these materials. :

The complementary mixtures include:

• Water-soluble inorganic salts
• Calcium chloride
• Materials filling the pores, suspended in water
• Soap solutions with an evaporable solvent that reacts with Hydrated lime
• Soaps have fatty acids (like stearate)
• Finely grounded materials
• Combinations of solutions with successive usage that develop a chemical reaction
• Solid hydrocarbon solutions in oil or paraffin
• The Portland cement with water repellent substance
• Bituminous covers

The result of this work shows a set of the reported tests in which the filler materials have generally reduced permeability and had other various effects on the waterproofs. For example, some of these complementary materials will increase the permeability.

Surface waterproofs

1-   The materials penetrating the surface of the concrete.

The penetrating materials can be neutral that simply fill the pores or form compounds with larger volume and capacity during the chemical reaction with the components of the concrete. These materials will be used to prevent the concrete from disintegration.

2-   The materials filling the pores.

There are a lot of materials of this type and the amount of using them affects the waterproofing quality. The manufacturer’s recommendations should be followed to achieve the best results.

3-   The materials forming a surface layer.

The surface waterproofing materials affect the most when the concrete is in contact with water. This waterproofing method is highly expensive, but it leads to satisfactory results.

The test results show that the factors of concrete waterproofing have different effects on reducing concrete permeability. Meanwhile, the Portland mortars have been kept properly. The asphalt emulsions, the oil soluble in a volatile solvent, the insulation of the acrylic structures and big transparent covers with Chinese Tung Oil, and the Resincoat two-component insulator are the best material forming the surface layer.

It should be noted that sunlight, rainfall, and other natural factors reduce the effect of surface efficiency and are made by utilizing extra layers.

Conclusion.

This paper is aimed to explain the difference between concrete damp-proof and waterproofing. Using the Penetral S80 waterproof in the concrete is one of the most important uses of the waterproof which has been highly thrived with respect to the performance of these products such as crystals and the damp proof of this set. You can reinforce your concrete more and proceed to your work with more certainty.

The Hamgerayan Production Company (Capco) is one of the companies providing this product which has nearly 20 years of experience in providing and sending services as well as providing products such as heavy and light concrete. Therefore, you can call the Company at 021-189331 for your building products and visit www.capco.co.ir/en for more information.