Waterproofing is a fundamental aspect designed to prevent damage caused by rain, moisture, and leaks. While developing any project, we ensure that we use the best techniques and quality materials to waterproof every surface. For example, for Esmeralda and Eminence, our residential project in Goa and Pune respectively, we used the ‘KEMPEROL 1K’ system for waterproofing. In Esmerelda, we used this system for the swimming pool to ensure the highest quality waterproofing. Kemperol 1K-PUR is a polyurethane-based, single pack system that forms a permanently elastic, seamless, yet highly permeable membrane. Extremely durable and tear-resistant, it can accommodate structural details and penetrations without the need for additional mechanical fixings. It offers various advantages like:
These are just a few examples that explain how we incorporate different techniques depending on the project requirements. The pointers mentioned below will help you get a better understanding of how we use such systems and why.
1) Surface Preparation - Surface preparation is the first activity undertaken while carrying out any waterproofing work. This activity primarily consists of the following tasks:
a) Finalizing the sleeve hole/ core cut hole location - The positions of all sleeve pipes should be checked well before starting waterproofing work and if at all necessary the core-cut holes should be made before beginning cleaning works.
b) Surface Cleaning - Surface which is to receive chemical coat is first cleaned by chipping and grinding off loose concrete, and then the remaining dust is blown away with a blower. It should be seen that the surface which is to receive treatment should be free of oil, grease or any other material that might affect the adhesion.
c) Honeycomb finishing or grouting work- After surface cleaning the exposed cracks, honeycombs or small voids present in the sunken area must be finished with polymer modified mortar which is prepared by adding about 200 ml of Dr Fixit’s Pidicrete URP to the regular mortar.
d) Ponding test - Once all the sunken areas are cleaned and repaired, water will be filled in these sunken areas and left for a period of 24 hrs after which these areas are checked for any leakage or dampness. If any dampness is found, then the cause of dampness should be found and repaired suitably.
e) Angle fillet making - The angle fillets of about 3” – 4” are made along the wall slab joints so as to provide a continuous surface for a chemical coat to sit on. These angle fillets are made from polymer-modified mortar, which is prepared by adding 200 ml of Dr Fixit’s Pidicrete URP to cement mortar of proportion 1:4 (Cement: Crush Sand).
2) Chemical Coating: The chemical coating is the core activity of chemical waterproofing, during which two coats of waterproofing chemical is applied over the sunken area and is extended additionally over the surrounding area. The chemical coating is carried using Dr Fixit’s Pidifin 2k out in the following steps.
a) Laying of fiber mesh over angle fillet- Before applying a chemical coat over sunken area surface, a fibre mesh about 4” wide is placed over the angle fillets made along the wall-slab junction to prevent them from cracking.
Applying fibre mesh over the angle fillets using Pidifin 2k
b) First coat of Dr Fixit’s Pidifin 2k- Levels or specified height from the sunken slab up to which chemical coating is to be applied is marked first and then Pidifin 2k is prepared by mixing its two components in the proportion of 1:2 (Chemical additive: Powder). A mechanical stirrer is used for mixing the components and the mixing is done until a uniform and consistent mix is achieved. Before starting application of Pidifin 2k the surface must be wetted and brought to saturated surface dry condition and the coating must be applied first over the fibre mesh and later on over the sunken area surface. A time gap of 8 hrs must be maintained before applying the second coat.
First coat of Dr Fixit’s Pidifin 2k being applied within the constrained area marked by a white line.
c) Second coat of Dr Fixit’s Pidifin 2k- Second coat of Pidifin 2k is applied similarly to the first coat. During the second coat, it must be seen that the fibre mesh is completely invisible under a chemical coat.
Second coat of Dr Fixit’s Pidifin 2k being applied.
d) Ponding test - After applying two coats of Pidifin 2k, the sunken areas for testing is filled with water. A further process of waterproofing begins if there is no leakage found. If leakage is found, then the area is scrapped of faulty chemical coat and new chemical coat is applied.
3) Vertical Sleeve Treatment: The junction of plumbing pipes and concrete is the major source of leakage. Hence, these junctions need proper treatment. There are essentially two types of junctions:
The Vertical / Slab sleeve junction is considered to be more critical of the two and hence, it is essential to provide it with proper treatment. The Vertical sleeve treatment consists of the following steps,
a) Plumbing fittings: Once testing of chemical coating is completed; all the necessary plumbing fittings are placed. Before the fittings, a portion of the pipe is embedded in concrete, roughened, and crush sand is applied. This is done with the help of adhesives to create a mechanical key for better grip.
b) Microcrete filling: Usually sleeves of relatively bigger sizes than the pipe diameter are placed in concrete to provide sufficient space for placing pipes comfortably. The gap that remains between the concrete and pipes are filled with microcrete.
c) Kemperol 022 treatment: Before applying Kemperol 022 around the vertical junction, a fleece cloth is cut out in two different shapes as shown below and placed around the junction. Only after placing this fleece cloth, the Kemperol 022 is applied, and after it dries up the ponding test is done.
Plumbing is another critical aspect to ensure efficient water supply, heating, and sanitation in a building. For instance, in Eminence, our residential project in Pune, we used the ‘Geberit HDPE- Drainage System’.
Geberit HDPE is the complete solution for all types of drainage, both above and below ground. It has high thermal and chemical resistance. The pipes and fittings are manufactured from high-density polyethylene and offer numerous advantages compared to conventional piping systems. Geberit HDPE has a high impact and abrasion resistance, is flexible and offers multiple connection options. These combined properties make it ideal for prefabrication, high traffic areas and trade waste applications where quality and reliability are important.