Crystalline & Integral Waterproofing Admixtures

Crystalline waterproofing treats the concrete itself as the barrier. The active chemicals are added to the mix or applied to the surface, and in the presence of moisture they react within the concrete to grow crystals in capillaries, micro-cracks and pores. The result is concrete that resists water from the inside rather than relying on a coating on its face.

Integral admixtures are added at batching, so the protection is present through the full thickness of the element. That makes them suited to foundations, basements, retaining structures, water-retaining tanks and slabs where a surface membrane cannot be inspected or replaced later.

The limits matter. Crystalline systems need moisture to activate and a concrete mix that is compatible with the admixture. They do not replace joint design, waterstops or the detailing at penetrations, and they are not a repair for a structurally cracked or badly placed element. Crack width, dosage and curing all follow the manufacturer's data sheet.

On existing concrete, surface-applied crystalline coatings can be used on the negative side — the inside face — where excavation is not possible. The substrate must be clean, sound and able to absorb the material, and the application has to be kept wet and cured long enough for the crystals to form.

We specify crystalline systems against the current technical data sheet and the actual exposure, and we test the result where the structure allows. It is a strong tool, but it is not a substitute for getting the concrete, the joints and the drainage right.