Pressure Grouting Waterproofing |Advantages & Disadvantages of Pressure Grouting Waterproofing
Pressure Grouting Waterproofing |Advantages & Disadvantages of Pressure Grouting Waterproofing
What is Pressure Grouting Waterproofing?
Pressure grouting is the process of forcing a thin layer of fluid or solid material underground to fill the voids in concrete and mortar for long-term waterproofing.
In this process, a restricted area of soil or concrete is subjected to pressure by advancing a flexible hose, pipe, or tube.
The liquid in the hose (usually water) forces its way through a pre-prepared cavity inside the mass that needs sealing.
After thorough mixing with the surrounding soil, this fluid becomes solid and forms an integral part of the mass.
This technology is used to waterproof wash basins, toilets, showers and other areas in new construction as well as to restore the waterproofing of existing structures where cementitious grout has deteriorated and must be replaced.
Pressure grouting for waterproofing is divided into two main categories depending on what medium is used: liquid grouting and dry powder grouting.
In liquid grouting, the material is usually water. Such a system may be used to as underground pipes or where a drain pipe to for example.
In dry powder grouting, the material is usually dry silica or other fine powder that is mixed with portland cement that is then placed in a soil setting where membrane drill tile or prevent( work out.
Dry-mix grouting systems allow many different variations and implement further inexpensive situations structures which and concrete.
Liquid grouting is typically used for large drainage basins and other areas with high water pressures, such as showers, toilets, wash basins, washtubs, and formal pools.
It is the most common type of grouting system for waterproofing new construction, because it requires few or no steps in the installation process.
This is particularly important for new construction projects where time is a critical factor. It is also used to restore the waterproofing of older buildings where cementitious grout has deteriorated and must be replaced.
Liquid grouting is used to repair damage caused by water infiltration, such as:
- Cracks and holes in slab or foundation walls
- Tile drains (shower, bathtub, kitchen and other)
- Leaks in floor drains through cracks or tile joints
- Water seepage from pipes
- Minor cracks in slabs or foundations of buildings
- Sunken floors and roofs
- Absorbent inlets which cannot be cleaned completely by a standard mastic grouting system
Potential for surface damage or erosion is controlled by fast installation to minimize the softening of existing concrete or mortar.
In most cases, if this system is used properly, it will have no visible evidence of having been installed.
Advantages of Pressure Grouting Waterproofing
- High strength and watertightness
Pressure grouting waterproofing is the most effective method for repairing leaks in cement-based structures. When done properly, it is just as strong as the surrounding structure.
The system works by injecting a fluid grout into the voids of existing concrete and mortar using a high-pressure pump through a small-diameter pipe or tube.
Because this system uses grout, not water or chemicals, it cleans as it fills cracks and holes, often with just one application.
- Small installation area
Pressure grouting does not require a large hole to be drilled in the slab or foundation. Because it fills the voids from the inside, it requires small amounts of grout.
This makes installation easier and cheaper than other methods, which require concrete to be removed and replaced.
- Minimal foundation preparation
In most cases, when pressure grouting is done properly, there will be no evidence that grouting was ever done, certainly no obvious holes in the concrete or cracks in mortar joints.
- Direct injection of grout assures complete coverage
Pressure grouting is accomplished by forcing the grout directly into the voids of existing concrete and mortar from the outside of the foundation.
This assures complete coverage, which is particularly important for watertightness. In this way, water cannot penetrate tiny cracks in existing concrete or mortar joints and migrate deep below
- Cleaning action of grout prevents future deterioration
It forms an integral part of the mass and fills all voids in existing concrete and mortar, which prevents further deterioration from taking place.
With grout, there is no chance of much of the water that enters through cracks or voids simply running down existing concrete and mortar joints.
- Minimal vibration of surface structures
Because grouting does not remove much existing concrete, it won’t affect the vibration of the foundation.
The required pressure is lower than that of a mastic grouting system, which minimizes the possibility of collapse or cracks in glass windows and other fragile surfaces
- Minimal disturbance to work area
Because a thin layer of grout must be injected through a small hole and fastened into the root penetration with mortar, there is almost no disturbance to the worksite.
This makes it possible to use the same pump and pipe for both grouting and waterproofing.
Advantages of Pressure Grouting Waterproofing
- Expensive to install
The high costs of installation often prevent pressure grouting from being used on small repair jobs. It is usually less expensive to remove and replace a section of concrete than it is to pressure grout the area.
On large areas, however, such as foundation walls or large basins, it can be extremely cost effective.
- Cleaning and removing old grout before new job
The old grout must be cleaned and removed from the areas where it is to be re-grouted.
Because cleaning existing concrete and mortar of any sort of build up or residue is not an easy task, it can often be much simpler to remove the concrete than to try to clean it.
This process also makes sure that the new grouting will stick properly.
- Risk of leakage
In some cases, a pressure grouting job may result in leakage in previously sound areas.
This is caused when grout from one part of a slab or foundation seeps through cracks in concrete or mortar joints to the surface.
This can result in unsightly stains on the surface of the structure, which can be expensive to repair.
Pressure Grouting Waterproofing FAQs
1. How much does it cost?
The first step in estimating cost is to determine what type of (system) best suits your application and what you are trying to accomplish with your waterproofing project.
Which systems are cost effective is based on many factors including but not limited to:
-The Area you are looking to waterproof or grout
-The condition of the existing structure
-The area/quantity of the old structure that must be removed
-The type ground that you are working in (rocky, etc.)
2. Can you repair cracks concrete slabs with grout?
Yes! You can merely fill those cracks using a non-shrinking, thixotropic grout.
That’s one advantage to liquid injection grouting systems: they don’t shrink when they cure. The addition of fiber reinforcement provides further strength.
3. Should you use epoxy grout in your cement?
You can use epoxy grout with either rigid or flexible systems. the epoxy grouts can work as a barrier (non-shrinking) material, but its main purpose is really for adhesive application.
4. How much does it cost to pressure grout?
For small jobs, this procedure is cheaper than many other methods because it doesn’t require removing existing concrete and starting over.
It also minimizes damage to existing tile and other surfaces.
5. How long does it take?
Once you have a clear understanding of which system will provide the best solution for your needs and what is included, you can get a clear picture of how much time will be required.
The length of time to complete the job is primarily based on how many holes must be drilled to reach the leak(s).
6. How Pressure grouting is done?
-An opening is drilled into the concrete slab near the leak to allow injection of a chemical grout that will fill the voids.
-The liquid is forced into the hole using a high-pressure pump, which injects grout through the small opening into the surrounding concrete and garage or basement floors.
7. Advantages
-It does not require any excavation or removal of existing concrete, mortar, brick or block; -It’s permanent in just one pour
8. Disadvantages
-It is not as simple as simply injecting the grout into the voids; -Leaks may still reoccur depending on the extent of the damage.
8. How does pressure grouting work?
Pressure grouting makes use of a very large, high-pressure grout line that is used to inject an aggressive detergent solution into a narrow, horizontal hole drilled from outside the structure.
9. What is Pressure Grouting?
Pressure grouting is a high-pressure process used to fill holes, voids or cracks through which water may be entering the structure, with an appropriate grout.
Pressure grouting works by injecting a liquid chemical grout at high pressure into the ground that surrounds and penetrates the foundation.
10. What are the other methods of grouting?
There are several types of grouting. They include;
–Compaction Grouting: It entails pressing a thick consistency soil cement grout into the soil mass, solidifying and therefore densifying the surrounding soils in place.
When grouting is performed in a grid pattern, it improves compaction of displaced soils and increases the uniformity of the treated soilmass.
As an added benefit, the resulting grout columns increase strength in the vertical axis because grout compressive strengths often exceed those of the surrounding soils.
-Displacement Grouting: It is a soil grouting method that employs the displacement of an existing soil mass with a liquid. Depending upon the type of grout used, it can be a thick-set or thin-set system.
An enabling technology, it has the ability to enhance structural integrity and prevent further settlement in the foundation.
-Injection Grouting: It is also called “pressure grouting”. It is a method of consolidating soil and rock, similar to compaction grouting.
Thick and very stiff grout is injected into the soil through horizontal drill holes. The injected solution completely displaces the existing soil material and hardens in place.
Injection grouting is often used to stabilize failing slopes, repair foundations and increase load-bearing capacity in large structures such as dams.
11. What is the difference between Displacement and Injection Grouting?
Displacement grouting is a means in which sediment can be displaced by a chemically or hydraulically injected solution.
This method involves filling the voids with grout by injecting a chemical solution into the void and displacing the soil.
There are 2 technologies used to accomplish displacement grouting, both of which are called “injection grouting”.
The main difference between these two techniques is that displacement grouting can be performed on any soil containing a pore-water pressure head.
Injection grouting, however, is only possible when a soil contains an elevated pore water head. A high-pressure water jet is used to inject the grout into the void.
The effect of this hydraulic injection is to increase the voids and create pore-water pressure within the voids.
