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Generally, chemical waterproofing products are supplied as a dry, powdered mixture of Portland cement, silica sand, and special chemicals, which is mixed with water to form thick slurry. On brushing the slurry on to a prepared concrete surface, the chemicals contained in the waterproofing compound combine with water to initiate a chemical reaction. This results in the formation of long, narrow crystals, which grow in and through the pores, capillaries and hairline cracks of the concrete mass thereby sealing the passages and preventing the movement of water. The chemicals themselves are carried into the concrete by capillary action and diffusion. Capillary action is the natural wicking movement of liquids in a porous structure, while diffusion is the natural movement of chemical molecules. These processes cause the crystals to penetrate deep into the concrete. The crystals continue to grow as long as there is moisture, and can reach lengths of several feet through the concrete over a period of days, weeks, and months.
In the absence of moisture, the chemicals become dormant, waiting for the next dose of water to start the growth again. This ability of the chemicals to stay dormant and then become active again in the presence of water gives the treated concrete a self-healing ability, watertight and free corrosion concrete structure.
Sometimes new cracks will form in concrete from settling or some other cause. Water entering through these cracks will come into contact with the dormant chemicals of the chemical waterproofing and cause them to become active again.
Besides its self-healing properties, chemical waterproofing treated concrete has additional advantages when compared to conventional membranes. The biggest advantage is the ability to make the application to the negative side of the concrete (the side opposite the source of the water against the pressure). As opposed to chemical treatment, membrane treatment can be successful only if it is applied to the positive side of a leaking concrete structure. But in many cases, it is often impractical or even impossible to access the positive side. Since chemical waterproofing grows into, and becomes part of the concrete, it makes no difference which side of the concrete it is applied to, making it a viable waterproofing option.
Another important advantage of chemical waterproofing is its near immunity to damage. Membrane systems, unlike chemical systems, often fail when they become scraped, punctured,or torn. Also, because the chemical waterproofing acts within the concrete, the coating on the surface is not vital. Since the majority of the active chemical migrates into the concrete in the first 28 days, chemical waterproofing can actually be completely removed from the surface after this time with little effect. Chemical waterproofing has been used for many years for repairs and it was recently that the benefit of the use of the mixture in new construction projects was recognized. The dry powder product could be spread onto the setting concrete and trowelled into the surface - usually with a power trowel, when placing concrete slabs. This method of application has become known as the “dry shake method”. The dry shake method has several advantages over the brush-on method:
As the mixture is trowelled into the surface, the chemical penetration is immediate;
The fact that new concrete has a high moisture content accelerates the chemical reaction and crystal growth;
Since the mixture becomes a part of the concrete, the surface can be smoothened. Following the success of the dry shake method, a further innovation was made to chemical waterproofing in new construction. In the late 1970s, Kryton launched a version of integral crystalline waterproofing that can be added into the concrete mixture before it is placed. This method of application shares the self-sealing and immunity-from-damage properties of the slurry application, along with the advantages of the dry shake method. Most important, the admixture version eliminates the need to make any kind of surface application at all and it also has benefits in shrinkage reduction, placing and improvements in long-term performance. The additional cost added to the concrete gets offset by the savings gained by eliminating time and the labour that would otherwise have been required to apply a product to the surface. These benefits have seen the emergence of integral crystalline waterproofing as an accepted replacement to conventional membranes in new construction. Choosing the best product can be problematic, especially as the literature of one reads very much the same as the other. Chemical waterproofing products should not be confused with products that are simply concrete densifiers or pore blockers. Care should be maintained so that the user does not end up buying products that claim to grow crystals but in reality would only crystallize as they dry. Such products do not grow through the concrete, nor do they reactivate in the presence of water to fill cracks. Products, which contain silicates, stearates, or talc, are temporary waterproofing agents at best. With all systems in construction, good communication and co-ordination between the manufacturer, specifier and contractor are paramount for total success. KIM is the world’s only permanent Crystalline Concrete Waterproofing System. Krystol Permanent Waterproofing gives long life protection and benefits to your concrete structure as follows:
Permanent waterproofing system.
Requires NO maintenance.
Increases the quality of the concrete for structural performance, integrity and aesthetics.
Increases usage of infrastructure.
Eliminates downtime and costs associated with maintenance and repairs.
Eliminates application errors associated with installation of other systems.
Eliminates risk of membrane failures.
Eliminates construction delays due to elimination of conventional waiting period to install membranes on cured concrete.
Long-term manufacturer warranty, from 10 years to 25 years.
Does not require a sub-trade for application.
Reduced application errors associated with installation of other systems.
Improves pouring and placement of concrete.
Protects reinforcing steel from corrosion.
Withstands high hydrostatic pressure.
Does not contain stearates, sodiums or silicates.
Not a surface densification product.
Not a hydrophobic type product.
Assists concrete in the hydration process.
Reduces shrinkage cracking.
NSF approved for used in potable water containment structures.
Will re-activate in the presence of moisture even years after initial construction.
Self-heals any micro cracking and stop water ingress that may occur from subsequent damage to the structure.
Water reducer and plasticiser.
Protect sulphate and chloride penetration. For your record, KRYTON INTERNATIONAL INC. is Saudi Aramco Approved Vendor as Manufacturer and Supplier under the following Aramco Vendor ID Number: Kryton International Inc. - - - Aramco Vendor ID#: 10028616 For further information please contact ARTE office telephone numbers or 05-388-3287 or visit KRYTON website at www.kryton.com. Thank you very much for taking your time to read this information and we hope that our products would be of your interest in your future projects requirements. For more details, please call ABDULLAH AL-RASHID ESTABLISHMENTS (TRADING DIVISION) offices telephone numbers or the following mobiles numbers: 05-3888125; 05-3883287; 05-5804858; 05-3866697
