Protection against ingress

Issues you may face

BS EN 1504 Principle 1 is protection against ingress by reducing or preventing the ingress of adverse agents such as: water, other liquids, vapour, gas, chemicals, and biological agents. Protection against ingress includes measures to reduce the porosity or permeability of the concrete surface by treatment using surface protection systems to BS EN 1504-2 or sealing cracks by injection or filling to BS EN 1504-5.

1A. Water ingress

Water ingress through rainfall in areas of high rainfall or severe exposure.

1B. Carbonation

Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can cause carbonation.

2. Non-structural cracks

Non-structural cracks appearing in the surface of the concrete can allow water to penetrate and set up corrosion of the rebar reinforcement.

3. Cracked and delaminated concrete

This can be the first sign that there is a corrosion problem. Left untreated this can cause further problems. These defects should be repaired using Repair Principles 3-11, BS EN 1504.

4. Water ingress ponding

Saturated concrete due to water ponding can lead to freeze-thaw damage to exposed concrete slabs or pavement. This leads to delamination of the concrete surface. De-icing salts can cause chloride-induced corrosion.

Solutions

Methods of protection based upon the BS EN 1504 Principle 1 is the use of the following:

• 1.1 Surface impregnation
• 1.2 Surface coating with and without crack bridging capability
• 1.3 Locally bandaged cracks
• 1.4 Transferring cracks into joints
• 1.5 Erecting external panels
• 1.6 Applying membranes

1A. Surface impregnation

Low-viscosity penetrating surface sealer. Use webertec aquapel créme.

1A/1B. Surface coating

Anti-carbonation coatings. Use webercote smooth.

2. Non-structural crack sealer

Low-viscosity acrylic co-polymer crack sealer. Use webertec mulsibond.

3. Erecting external panels: concrete repair and EWI

Use webercem HB30 and webertherm XP EWI.

4. Surface impregnation

Acrylic resin in-surface sealer. Use webertec aquapel créme.