Sustainable Solutions On External Facade Waterproofing & Anti-Carbonation

IMPORTANCE OF WATERPROOFING AND ANTI-CARBONATION

External façades, even though are covered by external cladding finishes, they still need proper protection as a barrier against water, moisture and other harmful substances that would deteriorate concrete structures or cause water seepage into the internal environment.

For many projects, the primary purpose of the barrier is to prevent water penetration.

Nowadays, with an emphasis on long term durability and sustainability, many projects are now going a step further with anti- carbonation protection for enhancing the longevity and reducing maintenance consumptions, wastages in repairs of concrete structures.

WATERPROOFING

Waterproofing is essential for protecting buildings from the impact of rain and wind. Wind driven rain create pressure differences that can drive water into the structure, increasing the risk of water penetrations. Water penetration can lead to various issues like dampness, mildew, and structural deterioration. To prevent these problems, a waterproofing barrier must be in place on the external façade.

ANTI-CARBONATION

Anti-carbonation protection is necessary for maintaining the durability of concrete structures. Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere reacts with concrete, reducing its alkalinity and weakening it. Once carbonation reaches the depth of the steel reinforcements, it would lead to corrosion of the reinforcing steel bars within the concrete, causing cracking, concrete spalling, and structural failures. To extend the design life of concrete structures and prevent these issues, anti-carbonation protection is crucial.

SOLUTIONS FOR EXTERNAL FAÇADE PROTECTION

Dependent on the levels of protection required, and the life expectancy of the design. Fosroc provides various grades of external façade protection as follows:

 1.   Damp-proofing membrane system for Closed Joint Cladding 

For projects with closed joint external cladding that need protection against water ingress. Nitoproof 30 is a cold applied rubberized bitumen coating system which provides the exact require function. As a more conventional and cost-effective system, Nitoproof 30 has been used extensively in external cladding projects in Hong Kong.

 2.   Acrylic waterproofing membrane system 

For projects require a high-performance waterproofing system, or projects with open joint cladding exposed to UV light and wind driven rain, the Nitoproof RS system is recommended. It is an acrylic- based waterproof membrane system with excellent waterproof property against wind driven rains and UV resistance.

 3.   Waterproofing & Anti-Carbonation System 

For projects with emphasis on long term durability and sustainability, with minimum repairs waste and long maintenance cycles design. Nitocote CM210 provides effective waterproofing combined with anti-carbonation properties.

Nitocote CM210, the acrylic cementitious waterproofing coating is specifically designed to resist carbon dioxide penetration and is easy to apply using a roller, brush, or trowel.

NITOCOTE CM210 CARBONATION RESISTANCE

Testing shown that applying Nitocote CM210 provides an anti-carbonation protection equal to extra 250mm of concrete cover. This would significantly improve the protection of the steel reinforcements against carbonation and increase concrete durability.