Is it necessary to protect the pavement with a water repellent. Giving hydrophobic properties to concrete products: water-repellent impregnations for paving slabs. Water repellent as a powerful protection against external influences

Ensuring full care for paving slabs provides for its additional processing with decorative varnishes or hydrophobic impregnations that protect the coating from rain and snow and create a beautiful matte surface of rich color. Such a water repellent will allow:

• increase the period of operation of paving pavement;
• improve the appearance of paving stones, giving the surface a more saturated color;
• get the original effect of a wet stone with a matte surface;
• increase resistance to abrasion;
• to achieve the appearance of an "anti-slip" effect;
• prevent white salt stains, mold and moss.

It is much easier and cheaper to take care of the issue of additional protection in time than to repair the cobbled coating after the destruction of the material or loss of appearance.

Ways to protect paving slabs

Solutions and substances for additional processing of paving slabs are divided into 4 main types:

1. - to increase the moisture resistance and frost resistance of paving stones;
2. decorative- for the general improvement of the type of paving stones;
3. cleansing- to remove dirty stains, salt deposits, grease, oil and others;
4. antifungal- to protect tile joints and blind areas.

Using these tools, you can create a universal coating that will provide multifunctional comprehensive protection for paving stones or any other type of paving slabs.

Technology for creating complex protection

The organization and implementation of work to create an effective comprehensive protection of the paving surface will ensure the presence of a durable protective film that simultaneously performs several important tasks. Its creation is best started even before.

First of all, using detergents, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the material from dust and dirt. If the track or platform has already been laid, then we carry out.

Next, you need to pour a hydrophobic composition into a wide container and put a tile in it for 5-7 minutes, then remove and dry it. The water repellent is applied to the laid coating with a roller, paint brush or sprayer. All subsequent operations are performed only after laying the tiles.

The third stage of work includes painting the paving surface with a special varnish, which allows you to get the original effect of "wet stone", emphasizing its color shade.

This treatment is often used for paving stones that have faded after prolonged use. It is recommended to pre-treat the new coating with a hydrophobic solution to increase the moisture resistance and frost resistance of the stone.

To protect the tile joints from the formation of fungus and mold, they must be filled with a frost-resistant sealant. This will not only avoid the occurrence of biological formations, but also protect the sidewalk surface from increased penetration of moisture into the bulk base material and subsequent swelling in the cold season.

Such a set of measures allows for a long time to avoid the accumulation of moisture in the tile material, erosion of joints, fading of tiles, sedimentation of dirt on the surface, destruction of concrete materials from the effects of alkaline and acid solutions. High-quality protection makes it possible to achieve a more attractive appearance and durability of paving surfacing.

Popular hydrophobic solutions

One of the widely used hydrophobic solutions is "Type M", which provides good protection of the material from the penetration of moisture and the formation of ice. This impregnation creates a "wet" effect for paving slabs, improving its appearance. Using this water repellent, you can refuse to cover with a protective layer of waterproof varnish.

Impregnation "Type M" can be used in places where there is no constant and frequent accumulation of water (for example, under a drain or on a drainage path).

Rain or snow, when using this solution, may fall on the track and the quality of the protective coating will not be affected. It is impossible to do processing in places of active draining of water and constant formation of puddles.

The same manufacturer produces a hydrophobic deep penetration impregnating solution specifically for wet areas - "Tiprom K LUX". Possessing all the qualities of the previous water repellent, this impregnation penetrates into the pores (to a depth of up to 20 mm) and can be used under any operating conditions of the road surface.

Of the imported developments of hydrophobic coatings for paving slabs, one can note: Ceresit CT10, Impregnat Dry and VOKA. All of them have good water-repellent qualities, but are much more expensive than domestic formulations, which hinders their widespread use.

Ceresit CT10- This is a water repellent based on organic silicone. Provides comprehensive protection of the paving surface, has the effect of "wet stone", from the first coating creates a strong protective film, has antibacterial and biological protection, eliminating the appearance of mold and fungus.

Impregnat Dry is a liquid specifically designed to protect concrete paving stones. Guaranteed penetration, increases frost resistance and improves the appearance of the pavement. Requires two coats.

Universal impregnation VOKA differs in the increased water-repellent properties. It is applied to the surface once and penetrates to a depth of 3 mm. The main advantage of this solution is the extended service life (more than 10 years).

Any, even the simplest, hydrophobic treatment of a paved surface provides protection for paving slabs, which will preserve its appearance and increase its service life. The creation of protection should not be delayed. The sooner you process, the higher the chance of maintaining the integrity and appearance of paving stones for a very long time.

For sidewalks and paths, consumers are increasingly choosing paving slabs, replacing asphalt or old concrete slabs with it. The tile attracts not only with a beautiful appearance, a variety of options, but also with ease of installation, the ability to cover non-standard areas, as well as ease of replacement if an area is damaged.

The basis of any tile is concrete, a material that is porous, absorbs moisture and dampens relatively quickly. It is through small pores that dust, fats, water, fungi and other wastes enter it. However, the most malicious enemy of paving slabs can still be considered water. It acts especially aggressively in winter with temperature changes. Turning into ice, water increases in volume up to 10%. Thus, the pressure inside the concrete can reach 200 MPa. It is practically impossible to avoid microcracks in this case. Damage is highly visible in areas where there is an increased load on the tiles: car parks, sidewalks of the main streets, where a lot of people usually walk. A big problem is also the icing of sidewalks covered with tiles. Very often, with inaccurate chipping of the ice, not only the ice, but also the tile itself is destroyed. All this leads to damage to the appearance, a decrease in the life of the material, as well as an almost annual replacement of damaged fragments.

Paving slab protection methods

There are two main methods for protecting concrete tiles from excessive moisture: waterproofing and hydrophobization.

Waterproofers are specific paints, as well as varnishes for concrete surfaces. In addition to the ability to provide impassability of moisture, they are also distinguished by increased wear resistance. These include rubber, alkyd, polyurethane, epoxy, chlorinated rubber paints.

Water repellents are liquids that have a special organosilicon compound. Porous building materials are impregnated with this substance. A characteristic feature of water repellents is that impregnation with this substance not only protects against moisture, but, unlike waterproofing agents, preserves gas and vapor permeability.

The action of water repellents

The material is watered with a water repellent one or more times. Impregnation creates an ultra-thin coating that closes the pores of concrete and does not allow moisture to penetrate by the so-called capillary seepage into the raw material. The formed film protects the concrete from moisture and does not interfere with the vapor and gas permeability of the material. In this way, the material impregnated with a water repellent retains its natural appearance. However, it should be noted that this liquid cannot protect the surface of objects that are constantly in the water. Water repellents are effective only in the case of periodic exposure to moisture on a particular coating.

Hydrophobization options

Hydrophobization is superficial, volumetric and forced.

The surface method is used when paving slabs are coated with this composition: it can be spraying, watering, distributing liquid with a brush or roller, dipping each tile separately into a container with a water repellent. The layer can be one or more. The tile can only be used 24 hours after the application of the substance. During drying, exposure to moisture is strictly unacceptable.

The method in which a water-repellent substance is introduced into the concrete solution at the stage of tile production is called volumetric. Here, not only the surface is protected from moisture, as in the previous version, but also the entire material from the inside, which significantly extends the service life of the product.

With the forced method, water repellents are introduced under pressure through special holes that are pre-drilled in the tile. It also provides deeper protection.

Water and polymer impregnations

Hydrophobisators, which are produced on a water basis, consist of water and fats (silicones), which are introduced into the liquid by special methods. Water water repellents work by impregnation. Having penetrated into the base, microfats close the pores and in this way prevent the ingress of moisture. The service life of this substance is relatively small: up to 4 years. The fragility of the action is explained by the fact that aqueous solutions are washed out with water over time. Therefore, the treatment must be repeated after 2-3 years.

Polymer impregnations are just as gas permeable as water impregnations. Such mixtures consist of a polymer that has the ability to penetrate deep into the base, as well as specific additives. Polymer water repellents can only be applied to a dry surface. However, during the process, excessive overheating in the sun should be avoided. Polymer-based impregnations dry in a short time, do not wash out and do not affect the color and shades of the tile. Such a water repellent also protects the material from the negative effects of various salts and acids. The service life is more than 10 years.

Properties acquired by a surface treated with a water repellent

After treatment with a water repellent, paving slabs are reliably protected from the negative effects of water. In winter, no additional microcracks occur, since moisture does not get inside. Ice easily breaks off from the surface, while the tile itself is not damaged. The material that is coated with a water repellent retains its natural appearance; no oily film effect. Depending on the type of substance, sometimes tiles can take on the shade of wet stone. Processed raw materials retain the ability to "breathe", since free access is provided to the penetration of gases. Hydrophobic compounds counteract surface contamination, since the base acquires the property of self-cleaning. A barrier is put up against the appearance of fungi. Polymer-based water repellents prevent efflorescence. The surface treated with water repellents has increased thermal insulation, since moisture does not penetrate into the material. This is especially taken into account when covering the walls of houses. Thus, paving slabs impregnated with a water repellent retain their appearance longer, which means they have a longer service life. To extend it, the tile should be re-treated (depending on the type of water repellent) after 2, sometimes 10, or even more years.

paving slabs has proven itself as a reliable, inexpensive and aesthetically pleasing road surface for sidewalks, park paths and driveways. To be sure that it will last for many years, they use durable, factory-made vibropressed tiles and follow the established laying technology. However, this may not be enough, because in addition to the mechanical impact, the elements of the paved surface are significantly influenced by the climatic conditions characteristic of our country. Moisture and frost cause the greatest damage to tiles. Water penetrates into the smallest pores of concrete, where, turning into ice, it increases in volume and creates strong destructive pressure from the inside.

Choosing moisture protection

It is possible to significantly extend the life of paving slabs by protecting it from moisture. To do this, use the waterproofing of the outer layer or treatment with water repellents.

When waterproofing, an additional waterproof coating is applied to the tile. Most often, these are varieties of polymer varnishes or paints for concrete, which prevent the penetration of water and create an outer protective wear-resistant layer.

Water repellents are no less effective. These are liquids that penetrate the structure of concrete. paving slabs and providing water-repellent properties of the material. Capillary infiltration of moisture becomes impossible, while the pores inside the tiles remain open and provide good vapor and gas permeability. This means that excess water that has entered the tile will be removed from it naturally by evaporation (which is not possible with waterproofing).

Types of water repellents and processing methods

The main component of the water repellent is an organosilicon compound. It can be part of a liquid or polymer impregnation.

An aqueous water repellent is an emulsion with polymeric (silicone fats). They envelop the internal pores and surface of the tile and repel moisture. The advantage of this composition is the affordable price and the possibility of applying to wet tiles. However, the duration of such protection is short, it will have to be renewed in 2-3 years.

The polymer composition is more durable and is able to perform its functions for 10 years. The tile does not change the light, and provides good grip on tires and shoes. In addition, such impregnation protects against the effects of chemically aggressive substances (acids, salts). It is necessary to apply a polymer water repellent only on a dry surface. But heating the tile is not permissible, since the volatile components of the solvent will evaporate before it impregnates the concrete of the tile.

Treatment paving slabs water repellents is carried out in three ways:

• The composition is applied to the laid tile with a brush or roller. The mixture can also be sprayed by watering or from a spray bottle. The best quality of hydrophobization provides a multi-layer coating.
• The finished tile can be processed before it is laid. This allows you to apply impregnation on the sides and bottom of the tile.
• Maximum protection of tiles from moisture is provided during factory processing, when a water repellent is introduced into the cement mortar for its manufacture. Buy such paving slabs only from serious manufacturers that guarantee its durability and impeccable quality.

The effect of hydrophobization of tiles manifests itself in different ways. You will see that after the rain it stopped accumulating moisture, efflorescence does not form on it. Even after several years of operation paving slabs looks like new, keeping a perfectly flat surface without cracks and swelling. A pleasant surprise will be the easy removal of ice from the paved road surface. In addition to maintaining the attractiveness of tiled paths, you will be pleased with the increased service life and reduced repair and maintenance costs.

In recent years, paving slabs have been increasingly used for pavement coatings. It has many advantages: attractive appearance, richness of varieties, ease of installation, the possibility of easy replacement, the ability to effortlessly cover areas of non-standard configuration.

The basis of the tile is concrete - a porous material that easily absorbs moisture and dampens relatively quickly. Through small pores, water, dust and other foreign substances penetrate into it from the outside. At the same time, water has the most destructive effect on the tile. It causes the greatest harm in winter with temperature changes. When water freezes and turns into ice, its volume increases by 10%. As a result, the pressure inside the concrete increases to 200 MPa. As a result, many microcracks form in the material. Damage is especially noticeable in places where tiles are subjected to increased stress: in parking lots, sidewalks of busy city streets. In addition, careless chipping of the ice formed on tiled sidewalks often destroys the tile along with the ice.

Ways to protect tiles

To avoid deterioration in the appearance of paving slabs and extend its service life, two main methods are used to protect this material from moisture: waterproofing and hydrophobization.

Waterproofers are special paints and varnishes for the surface of concrete products. In addition to ensuring the impassability of moisture, they enhance the wear resistance of the tile.

Water repellents are liquid substances that include a silicone compound. As a result of the impregnation of porous building materials with water repellents, protection from moisture is provided, but at the same time their vapor and gas permeability is preserved. This is the advantage of water repellents over waterproofing agents.

The use of water repellents

Impregnation of paving slabs with a hydrophobic composition can be performed one or more times. As a result of processing, a very thin coating is formed on its surface, which closes the pores in the concrete and prevents moisture from seeping inside. The formed film provides protection of the tile from moisture and at the same time maintains its gas and vapor permeability. Due to this, paving slabs impregnated with a hydrophobic composition retain their normal appearance. It should be noted that this substance is not intended to protect the surface of objects that are constantly in the water. Its use is advisable only with periodic exposure to water on any coating. Treatment of paving slabs with hydrophobic substances can be performed in three main ways: surface, volumetric and forced.

Surface hydrophobization

The surface method of hydrophobization of paving slabs includes watering, spraying, distributing the water repellent using a roller or brush, immersing each tile individually in a container with liquid. It is possible to apply one or more layers of water repellent. You can use the tile only a day after processing. The effect of moisture on the tile during its drying is completely unacceptable.

Volumetric hydrophobization

When using the volumetric method, the introduction of a water repellent into the concrete solution is carried out at the stage of manufacturing paving slabs. The advantage of this method over the surface one is that it protects the material not only from the outside, but also from the inside. Due to this, the life of the tiles is significantly increased.

Forced hydrophobization

The forced method consists in the introduction of a hydrophobic substance under pressure through special holes pre-drilled in paving slabs. It also provides more effective material protection than the surface method.

Features of water repellents

Water-based hydrophobic substances include water and silicones. They are used by impregnation. After penetrating into the base, the silicones close the pores and prevent the ingress of water. The duration of use of this type of water repellent is relatively short: it does not exceed four years. Its fragility is due to the fact that aqueous solutions are easily washed out with water. For this reason, it is necessary to carry out regular processing of paving slabs every two to three years.

Features of polymer water repellents

Polymeric hydrophobic substances consist of a polymer capable of penetrating deep into the base, as well as special additives. This type of water repellent, like aqueous hydrophobic compounds, is gas permeable. Application of polymer-based impregnations is carried out only on a dry surface. At the same time, excessive overheating of the material in the sun should not be allowed. Polymer water repellents dry quickly, do not wash out with water and do not change the color of paving slabs. These substances provide additional protection for tiles from the damaging effects of various acids and salts. Their service life exceeds ten years.

Properties of hydrophobic tile

As a result of treatment with a hydrophobic substance, paving slabs receive reliable protection against the harmful effects of water. In winter colds, additional microcracks do not form in it, since moisture does not penetrate inside. Breaking off ice from the surface is easy, while the tile does not receive damage. The treated material retains the ability to "breathe", since hydrophobic compounds freely pass gases. The base treated with hydrophobic substances acquires the ability to self-clean. Since moisture does not penetrate into the tile, this material has enhanced thermal insulation. The service life of the tile treated with a water repellent significantly increases. To prolong it, it is recommended to re-treat the tiles after a few years.

QUESTION:

They laid a platform and paths made of concrete paving slabs in the summer cottage, in two colors: gray and brick. The quality of the tiles turned out to be very poor. they took it from local manufacturers, who, as it turned out, make it “on the knee”. Now the task is to somehow strengthen the already laid tiles on top, to prolong its life. Question: what can be done, what compositions exist for this?

ANSWER:

Materials for the protection (painting, impregnation) of concrete paving slabs or stones (setting stones) can be conditionally divided into two main groups:

1. Waterproofing - coating compositions - colored and in varying degrees of transparency, paints and impregnating varnishes that create a waterproof and wear-resistant layer of the corresponding color or with the effect of "wet stone" on the surface of the tile (stone).
2. Water repellents (hydrophobic impregnations) are compounds that give the outer surface of the tile (stone) and the inner surfaces of its pores water-repellent properties at the molecular level and do not change the appearance of the tile or create a weak “wet stone” effect on it.

1. Waterproofing

As a waterproofing agent for paving slabs, special paints and varnishes for concrete with high abrasion resistance (wear resistance) can be used. There are dozens of such funds, and according to their chemical composition they can be divided into the following types:

Rubber paints (acrylic aqueous solution), characterized by increased elasticity, resistance to temperature fluctuations. Rubber (acrylic) paints are odorless and absolutely harmless.

Alkyd paints and varnishes for concrete, which, in addition to their waterproofing ability, also have high chemical and mechanical resistance. Alkyd compounds have a pungent odor that persists for a long time.

Polyurethane paints with high impact strength, wear resistance, strength, chemical resistance and durability.

Epoxy paints with high anti-slip properties and the greatest strength of the compositions under consideration.

Chlorine-rubber paints that create a durable elastic film.

2. Water repellents

Most water repellents are organosilicon liquids designed to coat and impregnate porous building materials: stones, concrete, bricks, etc. To date, there are dozens of similar formulations in a large price range. So, the domestic water repellent GKZH-11K, known since Soviet times, costs only 35 rubles / l, and the modern American silicone impregnation varnish with the effect of a wet stone from H&C Concrete Sealer Solid Color Solvent Based costs 1200 rubles / l. Of course, the H&C product is more versatile and functional than NGL, but it also costs 34 times more.

As a result, it can be advised to use cheap domestic water repellents such as GKZH-11K to protect large areas of garden paths and playgrounds, given that they have a short service life of 5-10 years and that they should not be used on ceramic surfaces (bricks), but only for coatings and impregnation of cement-containing materials. With smaller areas requiring protection, it is rational to choose more durable, but also more expensive compositions.

Igor Svidersky, chief expert of AkaDOMIA, tells about the effectiveness of water repellents in the Fazenda TV program: