Penetrating waterproofing

Penetrating water insulation or penetrative water insulation describes a sealing process in which the materials, usually Portland cement , are stocked with a crystalline chemical compound and thus seal the building material against moisture (active chemical additive). The additives include alkaline salts and alkaline earth metals , but polymeric additives can also be used.

principle

The crystalline formations in cement, which has been treated with penetrative hydro-insulation (colloquially: Penetron ), close pores and hairline cracks , into which moisture usually penetrates , and thus increase the resistance and life expectancy of the material. Penetron can currently be used effectively in two ways:

It is added to the raw material ( e.g. screed or building cement ) and is therefore evenly distributed throughout the material.
It is applied like paint to the finished, already hardened cement or concrete. In this application, the chemical or polymer complex penetrates (penetrates) the first layer, settles in it and fills it permanently. Subsequent application is therefore also possible.

The hydro-insulating effect in the material is due to the interaction of the chemical additives with calcium (the basis of cement ). The resulting structural change in the calcium on the surface leads to a reduction in the size of the pores and micro-scars , which hinders the penetration of moisture.

application areas

Penetron is mostly used to repair aged cement and concrete. Especially in civil engineering and naturally wet construction, various forms of penetron have been used for several decades to B. to seal tunnel systems and underground garages against groundwater and soil moisture. As materials research is constantly advancing, more and more new formulas are being developed. Modern penetron is also classified as chemically harmless in most countries and is therefore also approved for underground drinking water tanks and similar facilities.