Table of Contents
- What are bitumen waterproofing, its advantages, and disadvantages
- The main classification of bitumen waterproofing:
- Types of waterproofing mastics based on bitumen
- Bitumen waterproofing installation — step-by-step instructions
- Safety measures for the preparation and application of hot and cold bitumen mastics
- Prices for works on the installation of bitumen waterproofing
- Calculator for self-calculation of the cost
Today bitumen waterproofing — is one of the most common types of waterproofing. Bitumen waterproofing is based on bitumen and various additives, the quality of which directly affects the quality of the waterproofing coating.
What are bitumen waterproofing, its advantages, and disadvantages
Bitumen waterproofing is a homogeneous thick mass of bitumen and various additives. This material is designed to protect buildings and their elements from harmful effects on the environment. The material is made on the basis of organic synthetic resin with the addition of various substances, such as resins, oxidants, asphaltenes, carbides, etc. High-quality bitumen-based mastic contains reinforcing fibers that prevent cracks due to temperature changes.
Most often, bitumen waterproofing is represented by a black coating mastic. This building material is very elastic and with the help of a waterproof layer is created on the surfaces of structures.
Bitumen compositions differ in the presence of various additives in the form of improving polymers that contribute to the formed bitumen coating being more elastic and resistant to heat or frost.
Advantages:
- The price of bitumen waterproofing is lower than for other building materials that protect structures from moisture.
- After applying this material, there are no visible seams, waterproofing covers the surface with an even layer without microcracks and holes.
- Bitumen waterproofing is easy to work with, regardless of where it is used.
- The material is universal, it can be used for completely different purposes. It is usually used when laying the foundation, but it is also perfect for waterproofing the basement, walls, blind areas, and other buried structures.
- High-quality waterproofing is characterized by high elasticity and strength, ensuring the durability of the coating. During operation, the material does not crack, which ensures complete water-resistance of the building.
- Bitumen waterproofing has a low density, which makes it easy to transport due to its low weight relative to a given volume.
Disadvantages:
- The basis of the ordinary mastic is always resin, which causes its main drawback — its fragility. After 2-5 years of use, it begins to dry out, hardens, and begins to crack. Usually, this property is characteristic of cheap bitumen mastic, expensive contain polymers and impurities of substances that prevent cracks and rapid aging of the coating.
- The next drawback of mastic is also related to the characteristics of the resin. Whatever impurities are added to the waterproofing, the applied coating will be susceptible to environmental factors. Thus, high temperatures, frosts, salts, and minerals have a detrimental effect on cheap bitumen mastic.
- There is a high probability of repair of such coating or its complete replacement in 2-5 years.
- Due to the low cost of bitumen, this type of waterproofing is in high demand among contractors, which sometimes affects the quality of the insulating coating. You should be attentive to the materials that builders use and do not forget the well-known proverb “It does not happen cheap”.
Important: When using cheap bitumen-based coating mastic, you may encounter the following: After curing, the mastic drains even at a slope of 30°; The composition dries for more than a week and still remains sticky; The coating needs to be renewed every year; The resulting base is toxic and has a terrible smell; If desired, apply a better composition, the existing one will have to be scraped manually to zero; Lack of adhesion (adhesion) can lead to zero protective effect.
Where it can be used?
Various bitumen compositions intended for waterproofing arrangement can be used in the following structures:
- Foundation slabs
- Foundations
- Ribbon foundations
- FBS blocks and other blocks
- Walls
- Floors
- Floor slabs
- Roofs
- Underground parts of buildings and structures
- Blind areas
- Tanks
Bitumen coatings can also be applied to the bases made of:
- Concrete;
- Brick;
- Metal;
- Bitumen roll membranes;
- Bases and other waterproofing coatings based on bitumen.
The main classification of bitumen waterproofing:
Bitumen products are divided into several main types, the difference of which is mainly due to the method of their installation and application.
- Hot
- Cold
Hot bitumen waterproofing
When working with hot bitumen, it needs to be heated in a bitumen cooker so that the mixture can be spread evenly or applied to the surface. The substance is applied to a clean surface without dust and dirt using brushes and rollers. The layer consisting of hot bitumen dries quickly and does not shrink when setting.
Despite the lost cost of the material, the surface is seamless. When preparing the material, you should be careful, burns are not uncommon in this case. And it is also possible to emit smoke and soot settling during preparatory measures. Rapid drying can be a disadvantage of such compositions since you have to work quickly, otherwise, the mass will become too viscous.
In order to maintain hot bitumen in a liquid state, a special platform or special equipment is required. This kind of coating quickly becomes viscous, and the transition to a solid and more durable state lasts relatively longer. The use of this material is not economical, to work with one meter of surface, a large amount of mastic is required, about 2 kg.
Important: When preparing for work with hot bitumen, as well as when performing the work itself, it is necessary to follow the safety and labor protection requirements, otherwise such work may result in burns, severe injuries and death both for the work producer himself and for the people around him.
Cold bitumen waterproofing
Cold bitumen waterproofing is called mastic, before using which does not need to be heated.
Cold compositions are divided into 2 types:
- Solvent-based – Before use, it is enough to add a little solvent and the composition is ready for use.
- Water-based (so-called emulsions) –These coatings are more environmentally friendly and less flammable, that is why they are more often used to work with residential premises, for example, basements, basement walls, and floors.
In general, the advantages of cold bitumen over hot are:
- Cold bitumen does not require much time to prepare;
- Materials of this kind are characterized by adhesion to all types of surfaces, besides they are very plastic and elastic, which makes the process of working with them much easier and more pleasant;
- The compounds harden quickly, but they do not become so thick so quickly that it is difficult to work with them;
- Such materials are more mechanically durable, and also better tolerate temperature changes, that is, in general, more reliable and strong.
One of the main disadvantages of mastics of this kind compared to hot ones is their higher cost.
Comparison table between cold and hot mastics
| Characteristics | Cold solvent-based | Cold water-based | Hot |
| Layer thickness in mm | 0,5-1 | 0,5-1 | 1,5-2 |
| Consumption kg\m2 for 1 layer installation | 1-2 | 1-1,5 | 2-3 |
| Drying time at a temperature of +15С and above in hours | 12-24 | 3-6 | 2-4 |
| Withstands external temperature | -15 up to +45 | +0 up to +45 | -5 up to +45 |
| Spray arrangement | Not available | Available | Available |
| Arrangement without live fire | Available | Available | Not available |
Types of waterproofing mastics based on bitumen
Mastics can be divided among themselves according to the main added component:
- Bituminous;
- Bitumen-polymer – With the addition of various polymers;
- Bitumen-rubber – With the addition of polymers and latex, resulting in the so-called elastic and seamless “Liquid rubber”;
- Bitumen-rubber – With the addition of rubber;
- Bitumen-emulsion;
- Polymer.
The properties of a particular material depend on its composition and on what substances were added to it at the production stage. The constituent elements are most often mineral salts, resins, carbides, and paraffin. There are single-component and double-component compositions.
Coating bitumen products can also be divided by the number of components:
- Single-component;
- Double-component;
- Multicomponent.
Bitumen-polymer
They have a thixotropic property, that is, the ability to increase viscosity at rest and reduce viscosity when exposed to external factors. This property allows the coating not to drain from vertical surfaces. Materials of this composition are very durable and are not subject to corrosion, which allows them to be used on a surface such as metal.
This is the most stable and reliable type of bitumen mastic, which does not crack in the cold or at high temperatures. Mastic with the addition of polymers is able to tighten its own cracks, provided that they are not more than 5 mm.
Characteristics:
| Installation method | Coating |
| Consumption kg / m2 | 0,5-0,8 |
| Drying time in hours | 3-12 |
| The main component | Bitumen |
| The material is suitable for | Concrete, brick, Metal, Gypsum, Wood, Cement |
| Adhesion strength to concrete (MPa) | 0.1 |
| Adhesion strength to metal (МPа) | 0.1 |
| Application temperature (°C) | -20 up to +45 |
| Mass fraction of non-volatile substances (%) | 40-80 |
| Heat-resistance | 40-80 |
| Container | Bucket |
Bitumen-rubber
There are no solvents in the composition. Due to its density, it can be used for waterproofing different surfaces. Elasticity allows the composition to compensate for surface movements. By its appearance, this type of waterproofing material is similar to a thick coating mass.
Characteristics:
| Installation method | Coating |
| Consumption kg / m2 | 0,8-1,5 |
| Drying time in hours | 2-24 |
| The main component | Bitumen |
| The material is suitable for | Concrete, brick, Metal, Gypsum, Wood, Cement |
| Adhesion strength to concrete (MPa) | 0.1 |
| Adhesion strength to metal (МPа) | 0.1 |
| Application temperature (°C) | +0 up to +45 |
| Mass fraction of non-volatile substances (%) | 70-80 |
| Heat-resistance | 50-90 |
| Container | Bucket |
Bitumen-rubber
After application, the resulting coating looks like rubber, that is why it was popularly nicknamed – “liquid rubber”. Liquid rubber consists of modified bitumen with the addition of latex, which helps to increase the elasticity of the material. Waterproofing with liquid rubber is ideal for the installation of the protective coating of various parts of buildings and structures located underground, as it has the following properties:
- Seamlessness;
- Elasticity;
- Environmental friendliness;
- 100% adhesion to the base;
- Resistance to minerals and salts.
You can read more about the arrangement of this coating and sprayed insulation in the article – “Waterproofing with liquid rubber“.
Bitumen waterproofing installation — step-by-step instructions
The installation of coating or sprayed waterproofing on a bitumen basis should be carried out in a certain order and clearly following the instructions:
- Surface preparation.
Cracks and bulges should be leveled with the main web, if there are concrete joints, they need to be compacted in advance.
Before the insulation installation, it is necessary to clean the base thoroughly on which the coating insulation will be applied. The base should be cleaned of sharp stones, plaque, dirt, and dust. High-quality preparation will allow the material to cover the base well and bond well with it in the future. Due attention should be paid to these operations since with their correct performance, a high-quality result is guaranteed. - The arrangement of filleted corners or transitional fillet.
To prevent the breakage of the future waterproofing coating at all transitions between the horizon and vertical, it is necessary to mount the so-called fillet. Fillet can be made from a cement-sand mortar of a grade not lower than m-150. - Priming the base (applying a primer).
Before the installation of bitumen sprayed or coating mastic, it is necessary to use a primer. The primer or base paint increases the adhesion of the waterproofing layer, before installing the primer, the surface on which it will be applied should be dried. If the primer will be used in a residential area, you can use an infrared heater. - Waterproofing installation made of various bitumen compounds. First, you need to select the right tool. The choice of working tool depends on the consistency of the applied composition. If bitumen mastic is liquid, then it should be applied by coating with a brush or roller.
The material is applied in several layers, while the thickness of the waterproofing should not exceed 1,5 mm, and each new layer is applied in a perpendicular direction to the old one. Before applying each new layer, make sure that the old one is completely dry, so it is important to choose the composition that will help you spend time on it.
Thicker mixtures, most similar to paste, are applied by coating with a spatula, conventional or toothed. Thick mixtures can be applied in several layers, although sometimes you can do with one. Each layer should be more than 3 cm thick. The second layer of mastic is applied to the dried first one. - After the installation of the coating insulation, the surface should be dry. During the setting of the composition, the settling of dust or any other small particles is unacceptable. After the complete drying of the building material, you can continue the repair.
Important: Each manufacturer has its own detailed instructions for the correct arrangement of its materials. When carrying out work, it is necessary to study carefully the manufacturer’s instructions and follow them during the entire process.
Safety measures for the preparation and application of hot and cold bitumen mastics
When working with coating materials, the preparation of which requires fire or high temperature, it is necessary to follow all safety rules when working with fire and all labor protection requirements during such work.
Basic rules:
- To ensure fire safety, it is necessary to have a box with dry sand with a capacity of 0,5 cubic meters, shovels, and fire extinguishers near the place of heating and preparation of combustible emulsions;
- The place of vulcanization and heating of bitumen should be located on the ground surface, no closer than 2 m from the edge of the pit and be protected by special sides made of non-combustible products with a height of at least 0,3 m;
- The heating container should have a tightly closed lid;
- Containers for vulcanization and heating bitumen should be equipped with a temperature measuring device;
- Filling of the boiler is allowed for no more than ¾;
- It is necessary to lower the bitumen pieces along the walls with care, avoiding splashing;
- It is possible to heat compositions indoors only in special containers with electric heating without an open fire;
- During vulcanization or heating, it is not allowed to leave the equipment unattended;
- It is unacceptable to use an open fire within a radius of 50 m from the place where bitumen is mixed with solvents;
- Do not heat up the solvent during the preparation of mastic;
- Combustible elements should be delivered to the construction site in closed metal barrels with tight lids that are not opened if the barrel falls;
- The supply of hot barrels into the pit is allowed exclusively through platforms with a width of at least 1m with protective fences without using ladders for the transfer;
- It is forbidden to transfer barrels from hand to hand.
Prices for works on the installation of bitumen waterproofing
| Description of works | Unit of measurement | Price in roubles |
| Works on the installation of bitumen waterproofing on the horizon in 1 layer | m2 | 100 |
| Works on the installation of bitumen waterproofing on the vertical in 1 layer | m2 | 200 |
| Works on the arrangement of mastic and coating waterproofing | m2 | 200 |
| Works on the arrangement of liquid rubber by spraying | m2 | 300 |
| Works on the arrangement of liquid rubber manually | m2 | 400 |
| Primer application | m2 | 100 |
All prices are preliminary and may change depending on the complexity of the installation and the type of material.
