Cipy: More Awareness & Applicator Training Required for Effective Waterproofing

Dr. Subhash Cipy, M.D, Cipy Polyurethanes, shares his insights with Maria R on the evolving technological trends & development in the waterproofing industry, importance of applicator training, and right product & practice for durable waterproofing.

What are the innovative trends evolving in Waterproofing Industry?

Waterproofing of concrete roofs has always been a great challenge to engineers and specifiers. With the increased complexity of structural movements, growing concern for leakages in the concrete structures has carved the needs for diverse waterproofing systems since ages. Numerous technologies have emerged since then, but many went into oblivion, obviously because of the field failures. In our country, most of the waterproofing products are cementitious admixtures, which tend to get ruptured because of their poor tensile and flexural strengths. It is our relentless endeavor to develop time-tested waterproofing solutions to combat water seepages. The innovative trends currently involved in this segment are liquid applied PU membranes (1K & 2K), plural spray applied polyurethane and polyurea membranes, which are tough, flexible and impermeable. Cool roofs are also gathering momentum in the country. These are LEED compliant roof waterproofing systems where both thermal insulation and waterproofing are achieved through a combination of rigid PU foam and polyurea coating.

What waterproofing products would you suggest for different areas?

An effective and durable waterproofing system is absolutely critical to ensure the long-term durability of the concrete slabs and to keep the maintenance costs low by avoiding costly repairs. So, it is pertinent to choose the right product for the right type of intended uses, or it will lead to field failures. For indoor areas where there are no structural movements, modified cementitious products may function for certain periods. But for areas exposed to sunlight, you need to go for elastomeric polyurethane membranes rather than a rigid cementitious products. Crystalline products or injection grouts would be the precise solutions for basement waterproofing. For podiums and garden roofs, plural spray applied polyurea coating that is resistant to punctures and intensive roots, would be the appropriate solution.

Although, waterproofing products are available in plenty but in most cases the system fails due to wrong product selection or application. Based on your experience, can you outline the main reasons for waterproofing failure and your suggestion for the right procedure?

There are myriad technologies employed in this segment, right from cement-based admixtures and crystalline products to polyurethanes and polyureas. The end-user has to study the chemical and physical parameters of the product he picks. We should comprehend the fact that concrete inclines to crack due to its poor tensile strength and so needs protection by coatings having the crack bridging ability. Cementitious products too have the identical insufficiencies of concrete, and so it is perilous to use such products for mitigating water seepages. I feel that this is the rudimentary reason for waterproofing failures in the country. Another prevalent waterproofing treatment, the preformed bituminous sheet membrane, is either torch applied or stuck with adhesives. The key advantage is its consistent thickness (1.5-2mm) and good elongation, but the major deterrent is that it contains many welded seams, so there is the likelihood of water seepage through these intersections. Against the deficiencies of these commonly employed waterproofing products, I would endorse polyurethane-based elastomeric membranes for exposed roofs, which are flexible, seamless and tough enough to withstand water ingress.

Do we have systems in place to ensure quality standards in waterproofing materials and solutions?

There are many ASTM standards available with us to specify waterproofing products and their applications. ASTM D 7832 is the standard guide for performance attributes of waterproofing membranes, while ASTM D 6622 is for application of hot applied reinforced waterproofing systems. ASTM C836 M-15 describes the procedure for application of liquid applied membranes along with a wearing course. ASTM C 1250 is the standard guide to determine the quality of waterproofing materials. ASTM D 5295 is the guide for preparation of concrete surfaces prior to coatings. To check whether the treatment provides 100% water tightness, ASTM D 5957 describes the method of flood test to be carried out.

What steps are being taken to bring awareness for the right practices and techniques?

In every forum that we participate in, we put across the significance of effective waterproofing solutions rather than the inexpensive cement-based conventional systems, which are predominantly used in the country. Cement, bitumen and tar-based waterproofing products have the major share in the waterproofing market, while the polymeric waterproof coatings hold a very insignificant share in the whole market. This earmarks the lack of awareness of the right waterproofing system to be used. We need more workshops and awareness programmes to demonstrate the concrete deficiencies and the remedial solutions to mitigate water seepage by engaging polyurethane elastomeric membranes.

"We need more workshops and awareness programmes to demonstrate the concrete deficiencies and the remedial solutions to mitigate water seepage by engaging polyurethane elastomeric membranes."

A word about the importance of applicator training.

It is reported that 70% of coating failures are due to application errors, which implies the significance of the role of applicators. Surface preparation is very vital in achieving the optimum performance of the coatings and quite similarly, parameters like mixing of components, sufficient induction time, and right mode of application to achieve the desired dry film thickness are all very significant. We conduct CATS (Cipy Applicator Training Seminar) regularly at Cipy Training Centre, inviting applicators from every corner of the country. CTC teaches the concrete chemistry, the topographies and shortfalls of concrete, numerous waterproofing product features, and the mechanism of how a coating mitigates water seepages by impermeable barriers. We always ensure that all of our waterproofing works are executed by CATS trained applicators only.