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Protect footings, column stubs and plinth beams against groundwater and aggressive soil, and stop damp rising into the walls above. This is done during construction, before backfilling.
General guidance based on the manufacturer data sheets. Site conditions differ: confirm the system with MCT before you start. Where we do not name a product, ask us and we will confirm the right one.
Use the soil report to judge how aggressive the soil and groundwater are, and agree the foundation concrete specification with the engineer.
Add a crystalline waterproofing admixture, which lists building basements and foundations, at about 1000 g per 100 kg of cement (SikaControl-760 p.1, p.2). Alternatively, use a liquid waterproofing admixture (Sika-1 PK p.1). Cure well in hot weather (SikaControl-760 p.2).
SikaControl®-760 should be used in all structural concrete that is constantly or intermittently in contact with water such as sea walls, tunnels, basements, structural and precast concrete. SikaControl®-760 can also be used as crystalline waterproofing admixture for cement mortars and plasters. T… (TDS p.1)
The right product here depends on your site. We confirm it before naming it.
Where the footing meets the column or wall, or pipes pass through, use a swelling sealant or profile at the centre of the section (SikaSwell S-2 p.1, p.2; SikaSwell P Profiles p.1).
Joint sealing: Construction joints, Pipe and steel work penetrations through walls and floor slabs, Around all types of penetrations and construction joints, Construction joints in cable ducts, etc. Fixing / Adhering swellable profiles:, SikaSwell® A Profiles, SikaSwell® P Profiles. (TDS p.1)
To seal: Construction joints, Pipe and steel work penetrations through walls and floor slabs, Construction joints in precast concrete, Construction joints in tunnel segments, Construction joints in cable ducts, etc, Around all types of penetrations through concrete. (TDS p.1)
Coat footings, column stubs and plinth beams that will be buried with a bituminous coating against aggressive soil, in 2–3 coats (Sika Bitumen p.1, p.2). Alternatively, use a rubberised bitumen emulsion, which can go on damp surfaces (Sika Igasol Emulsion BA-10 p.1, p.2).
To protect concrete surfaces against attack of aggressive soils & subsequent backfills; such as : Retaining walls, Basements, Columns, Foundations. (TDS p.1)
Sika® Igasol® Emulsion BA-10 is used for: Tanking and waterproofing of substructures to provide an impervious membrane, Vapour barrier of cladded walls, Maintenance of many roof types including asphaltfelt roofs, concrete, cement, lightweight screeds, timber etc, As an adhesive for bonding insula… (TDS p.1)
Make the plinth or damp-proof-course mortar and concrete waterproof with an integral admixture (Sika-1 PK p.1; Sikalite-101 PK p.1). Under the ground-floor slab, a bitumen emulsion can act as a damp-proof membrane for floor slabs (Sika Igasol Emulsion BA-10 p.1).
Sika Igasol Emulsion BA-10 is used again here; data and quotation in step 4. Go to step 4
The right product here depends on your site. We confirm it before naming it.
Let the coatings dry, then backfill in layers without damaging them. Where a screed covers Sika Bitumen, blind the last coat with clean dry sand (Sika Bitumen p.2).
A starting point for a site proposal. Quantities, prices and the final specification follow a site visit or photos.
| Step | Product | Pack | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2. Watertight foundation concrete | SikaControl-760 | SikaControl®-760 is available in 5 Kg & 25 kg pack. | TDS p.1 · March 2025, Version 04.01 |
| 3. Seal construction joints and pipe entries | SikaSwell S-2 | 600 ml unipacs | TDS p.1 · May 2021, Version 02.01 |
| 3. Seal construction joints and pipe entries | SikaSwell P Profiles | — | TDS p.1 · May 2021, Version 01.01 |
| 4. Coat all buried concrete | Sika Bitumen | 14 Kg pails | TDS p.1 · May 2021, Version 01.01 |
| 4. Coat all buried concrete | Sika Igasol Emulsion BA-10 | — | TDS p.1 · May 2021, Version 01.01 |
| 5. Damp-proof course at plinth level | Sika Igasol Emulsion BA-10 | — | TDS p.1 · May 2021, Version 01.01 |
The admixture improves the concrete's resistance to water ingress (SikaControl-760 p.1). A bituminous coating adds protection against aggressive soils and backfill (Sika Bitumen p.1). Whether you need both depends on the soil report: ask us.
Sika Bitumen uses about 0.4–0.6 kg/m² for 2 coats, depending on how porous the concrete is (Sika Bitumen p.1).
Sika Igasol Emulsion BA-10 can go on damp but not waterlogged surfaces (Sika Igasol Emulsion BA-10 p.2). Sika Bitumen needs surfaces free of standing water (Sika Bitumen p.2).
Steps and product facts are taken from the manufacturer data sheets (page cited). Products are named only where the data sheet confirms the use; quantities follow a site visit or photos. General guidance: check the data sheet or ask us before you start.