Bituminous waterproofing: types and characteristics

Bitumen is a material used in various types of construction. It is used in the civil, industrial and road sectors. However, the material became especially popular in the country building. It guarantees the high quality of the work carried out, which can be both basic and auxiliary.

Bitumen is used for waterproofing objects. It is the simplest material, while the quality of the work performed will be equivalent to those at which more expensive counterparts are used. Bitumen appears in the process of distillation of petroleum products. According to GOST, the material is suitable for waterproofing the foundation and underground structures, with its help, roofing work is carried out, as well as work to eliminate leaks at various sites.

In the production of coating and coating type insulation currently used polymer components. One of these materials, widely known, is the composition of "TechnoNIKOL." It is often used by consumers for various jobs and has a minimum consumption per m².

If no additives are present in the bitumen, it has a solid state. This distinguishes the material lack of elasticity and excessive fragility. These nuances can be eliminated by introducing into the composition of various impurities. They will give bitumen better characteristics. Before you start working with the material, it must be heated. Only when a certain temperature of bitumen is reached during its application will the maximum reliability of the waterproofing be achieved, the most important properties and qualities of the composition are revealed.

Even on a solid surface, cracks may appear over time. During construction, it is dangerous because of the penetration of moisture and its contact with metal fittings, there is a risk of formation of corrosive processes and other problems. And since the foundation carries a constant external load, you can face very serious troubles if you do not take care of waterproofing.

Waterproofing, having in its composition bitumen, have a huge demand in the modern construction market. This is because the vast majority of materials for waterproofing work created using this component. This can be called an important proof of the quality and reliability of bitumen. If a modern insulator contains this material in its composition, then it does not need to be heated, which cannot but be considered an additional advantage, since working time is saved considerably.

If we talk about the other advantages of bitumen materials, you can not do not mention their excellent waterproof properties, vapor permeability and affordable price category. In addition, the protective coating is elastic, which gives resistance to damage and the formation of cracks in the process of external mechanical action and subsequent work.

Bituminous waterproofing is resistant to external aggressive influences, it withstands even contact with chemical compounds. The coating is obtained seamless, which makes it possible to protect the structure from leaks during operation. In addition, if cold solutions are used, there is the possibility of independent work, as the application is simple and fast enough.

To use bitumen materials there is no need to provide a certain external temperature, which means that work can be carried out without focusing on a certain time of year. As well as consumers note the durability of the bitumen protective coating.

It should be noted and disadvantages of the product. Solutions of hot application have very high flammability indexes, for this reason they should be applied only professionally and with maximum accuracy.

In case of possible fire, the fire will spread very quickly. And also the material is toxic when burning and emits acrid smoke. In the case of hot application requires special equipment.If you do not follow the safety precautions, it is possible to obtain burns of a thermal or chemical nature. Burns can be quite serious and require thorough treatment.

Alternative materials to classic bitumen can be divided into 2 main types: mastic and bitumen sealant.

• Sealant it is applied to carrying out local works, such as a waterproofing of heating and air systems.
• Mastic has a wider range of applications, so it is worth considering in more detail. The material is distinguished by its plasticity and excellent quality characteristics. The area in which it will be used depends on the impurities and additives in the composition. The division into areas of application is quite clear, for example, the composition can be both for the treatment of the foundation, and for the waterproofing of the roof.

And also do not overlook the use of roll waterproofing. It is made on the basis of bitumen and is used when working with water supply, heating, gas supply and sewage systems. The difference is that the material is located in the ground.

It should be noted such material as bitumen tape. It is used during roofing to seal gaps and joints. The basis is a self-adhesive layer of bitumen with the addition of rubber and polymers. One of the sides has a protective film, the other - a glued protective layer, which is removed after completion of the work. In appearance, the tape resembles a building tape. It has excellent water repellency properties and is capable of adhering to surfaces such as stone, concrete, brick, wood, and others.

Bituminous mastic has a fairly large number of species. It can also be divided into groups. The main division of the material is considered according to the type of application and component composition. By the principle of applying mastic can be divided into two types of compositions.

• Mastic cold applied required to dilute with water or special solvents. Bitumen in such solutions is about half. Solutions have fire safety, they can be used for internal work on residential objects. Mixes do not require additional training, which helps to save working time when working with them.
• Solutions hot use heat treatment required. In order for the material to become plastic, it is required to achieve certain temperature indicators, only in this case the mixture can be applied to the substrate. This mastic does not shrink when cured, quickly seizes, forming a seamless coating. In addition, it is impossible not to note the lower price of such materials.

When choosing a bitumen waterproofing it is necessary to familiarize yourself with its composition. This will give the opportunity to choose the right solution for a particular type of work.

• First of all it should be noted rubber bitumen mastic. Today, the demand for it in the construction market is especially high. It incorporates a rubber crumb and a dispersed emulsion. Before use, you should carefully read the instructions, rubber mastics often require heating to a certain temperature.
• Mineral mastic incorporates cement, asbestos, chalk and ash. These natural substances endow the composition with additional qualities and properties.
• Rubber-bitumen Mastic has high elasticity and low viscosity. In addition, the mixture has excellent heat resistance, as well as anti-corrosion effect. This allows you to use it in specific works, where other materials may lose their properties.

• Polymer Mastics have the most complex composition, but with extensive use. The material is composed of polyurethane, rubber and mineral chips. The solution is used both in professional and in private construction, it is characterized by high strength and excellent ductility.
• Emulsion The compositions do an excellent job of preparing the base for the application of the main waterproofing material, that is, it is used as a primer. It is based on a mix of bitumen dust and water.
• And finally pure bitumen. The composition excludes impurities and additives. It is most difficult to use due to the fact that the material is required to heat up to +300 degrees. At the same time freezing occurs in a short period of time.

It is necessary to take into account that various factors influence the price indicator of bitumen waterproofing. This is the cost of the raw material from which the product is made, the complexity of manufacturing technology and application. At the same time, products must be certified, otherwise the purchase of low-quality material is possible. And in this case there is a risk of rapid destruction of the waterproofing coating, which may be a danger to the health of consumers and their additional costs.

The device of waterproofing with the help of bitumen materials does not have any particular difficulties, however, it is not always possible to do the work yourself. In general, the process is the application of the mixture and leaving it before the protective film is completely dry. However, one should not forget about the complete preparation of the coating, which is required to be preliminarily cleaned from dust and dirt, as well as to be thoroughly treated with special compounds that increase the adhesion of materials.

Rubber-bitumen compositions used for the treatment of roofs and floors can be applied in one or two layers, while the surface must be completely degreased.Bitumen for the foundation can be applied only in two rather thick layers. This will help avoid untreated areas and also eliminate the formation of bubbles.

The issue of material consumption can not be considered unequivocally. It depends on the purity and structure of the base and the required number of coating layers. If you decide to apply the composition yourself, you must clearly follow the instructions, and it is recommended to listen to the advice of experts. Only competent application process will help to obtain high-quality coating with the stated properties and qualities.

See more on bitumen waterproofing in the next video.