Foundation waterproofing with liquid glass

One of the inexpensive and simple ways to protect the foundation from wetting is waterproofing with liquid glass. Liquid glass is obtained as follows: the aqueous salt solution is mixed with quartz sand and soda, baked and water-soluble crystals of sodium silicate or calcium are obtained, which are dissolved in water to the required density.

The property of sodium silicate to improve the adhesion of concrete and fill the pores with insoluble crystals forms the basis of modern mixtures for penetrating waterproofing. It is also possible to use conventional liquid glass for these purposes.

Types of waterproofing with liquid glass

There are several ways to perform waterproofing with the use of liquid glass, and for each use a separate technology.

• Lubricating waterproofing for rolling and pasting waterproofing materials;
• Penetrating waterproofing on cement basis;
• Monolithic concrete foundation with the addition of liquid glass.

When using liquid glass as a waterproofing material, it is necessary to bear in mind the characteristics of sodium silicate:

• Liquid glass dissolves in water, so the basement's waterproofing and pressure hydrostatic loading is not reliable, and the concrete treated with liquid glass must be additionally protected with roll materials;
• When adding sodium silicate to cement mortars and concrete, their strength decreases, so the amount of liquid glass in the solution should not be more than 3%;
• The setting time of mortar or concrete with liquid glass is very small, and stirring of the mortar with the beginning setting process is prohibited, as the process stops at this time. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare the amount of solution that can be used quickly.

Technology of lubricating waterproofing with liquid glass

The basement is waterproofed with liquid glass when the use of bitumen-based solutions is undesirable, for example, using polymer roll materials that are not allowed to contact with petroleum products or solvents. The applied layer of sodium silicate is not protective, but during the interaction of liquid glass with concrete, its pores are filled with crystalline water-insoluble compounds. The thickness of the protective layer does not exceed a few millimeters. If this is sufficient for good hydroprotection, then the method of lubricating waterproofing with liquid glass is very convenient and cheap.

1. Prepare the surface for waterproofing: peel off dirt, dust, grease stains. Smooth concrete is lightly brushed to open its pores and increase the depth of penetration of the liquid glass.
2. Apply liquid glass with a wide brush, as the first layer dries, the second layer can be applied.
3. Dry the surface, then proceed to the pasting or roll waterproofing.

Technology of cement-silicate penetrating insulation

It is used for fast waterproofing of leaks, joints and seams of the block foundation. The solution is prepared on the basis of cement, diluting it with water with liquid glass added to it, the percentage of sodium silicate - up to 5% of the total volume. The solution quickly hardens, so prepare it in small portions.

1. Seams, joints, cracks or other damage to the foundation must be prepared for the application of a waterproofing mortar. To do this, they are expanded to solid concrete, remove dirt from them. For convenience, the cracks can be cut so that they acquire a U-shape.
2. The solution for permeable insulation is prepared as follows: mix the water glass with water in a ratio of approximately 1:10 - 1:15, after which the resulting solution is poured gradually into dry cement or a mixture based on cement and mixed once. The solution should be thick and plastic. Mixing the mixture several times is impossible, since in this case the bonds of the crystal formation that has begun are broken, and the solution loses its properties.
   

   Preparation of

solution Apply mortar to seams or cracks with a spatula. For better adhesion, the surface can be slightly dampened. Level the mixture over the surface and wait for complete drying.

spatula Use of liquid glass when casting a solid foundation

Addition of sodium silicate or calcium silicate to concrete mixtures used for pouring monolithic foundations improves its waterproofing properties, and the water resistance of concrete extends over the entire thickness of the foundation. At the same time, its fragility increases slightly and its tensile strength decreases, therefore, when using concrete with liquid glass, it is necessary to strengthen the reinforcement and increase the thickness of the sandy underfill, especially on the ragged soils.

1. Due to the fast setting of the modified concrete, it is necessary to prepare in advance all that is necessary: ​​perform marking, formwork preparation, reinforcement.
2. For preparation use water with the liquid glass dissolved in it. In order to maintain a balance between strength and hydro resistance, it is necessary to calculate the amount of liquid glass so that its share in the total volume does not exceed 5%.
3. Mix cement and sand, gradually pour in a solution of liquid glass, quickly mix and add filler - expanded clay, gravel. You can also add fiber.
   

   Mixing process in concrete mixer

4. The concrete solution is quickly poured into the formwork, leveled horizontally and waiting for it to dry. Unlike ordinary concrete, it is not recommended to mix such a solution with a deep vibrator, as the process of crystal formation and setting of concrete is disturbed.
   

   The process of pouring concrete into the foundation of

5. After full maturation of concrete it is insulated with polystyrene plates. The insulation function for such a foundation is not limited to thermal insulation - the heater also distributes the soil load evenly over the surface of the foundation walls and protects it from mechanical damage and cracking.

Waterproofing the foundation with liquid glass is a relatively cheap method with side defects. If the deterioration in strength of concrete is not permitted under the operating conditions of the building, modern solutions for penetrating waterproofing of the foundation can be used instead of liquid glass.