Crystalline waterproofing is an advanced self-sealing process that is used for reinforcing, repairing and of course, waterproofing various surfaces across a wide range of industries. For example, the steel industry often utilizes the crystalline waterproofing process to reinforce alloys for increased durability and water resistance.
However, water treatment and storage facilities are the top consumers of crystalline waterproofing products because of their constant need to keep the large water storage containers in pristine condition. This leads us to an obvious question: what is it about crystalline waterproofing that makes it a better choice for waterproofing than alternative methods such as membranes or bentonite? Let’s find out.
Self-Sealing at a Granular Level
The crystalline waterproofing process repairs concrete from the inside by forming waterproof crystals within the small cracks and internal capillaries. These crystals start forming automatically as soon as they come into contact with moisture and free lime inside the concrete structure. This effect consequently allows crystalline waterproofing sealants to seal off internal cracks, pores, and capillaries, while turning the concrete structure waterproof from the inside with minimum effort.
Reinforced Walls
Post application of a suitable crystalline waterproofing agent, concrete walls become significantly more durable. This durability extends to not just the water storage unit’s capacity to resist moisture damage, but also to the structure’s physical endurance. However, mixing and applying of the self-sealing product must be on point for the concrete structure to receive maximum reinforcement against moisture and physical damage from the process. Check this guide on how to apply crystalline waterproofing sealants by W.R. Meadows to get an exact idea.
Improved Resistance Against Hydrostatic Pressure
Hydrostatic pressure is defined as the pressure exerted by any liquid at rest. As this pressure is a result of the local gravitational pull, it increases exponentially with depth and varies quite a bit. The crushing pressure underneath our oceans is a universal example of hydrostatic pressure.
Large water storage containers at water treatment and storage facilities must be made thick and strong enough to resist the hydrostatic pressure. As previously mentioned, the crystalline waterproofing process reinforces the compressive strength of concrete structures, making them significantly more resistant to direct physical pressure as well. Since hydrostatic pressure is physical in its nature, the reinforcement helps large water containment structures to easily resist the water pressure indefinitely.
Can be Used as an Admix
Note that there are ways to reinforce walls of a water container even if it has been manufactured from low quality concrete that has become highly porous with time. Nevertheless, new water storage facilities do not wait for cracks to appear on their containers. Instead, they ensure that the crystalline materials are mixed into the cement as an admix. The resulting concrete would be already reinforced and thus perfect for being molded into high-quality water storage containers.
Finally, perhaps the most underrated benefit of using crystalline waterproofing is its cost-effectiveness. When concrete is professionally created/treated with the right amount of crystalline waterproofing material, it continues to bring down expenses by making containers last longer and reducing maintenance expenses down to almost nothing over the years.
