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Walls that hold back soil and water, such as boundary walls on slopes, ramps, and the walls of basements and underpasses. Waterproof the soil face, seal the joints, and treat the exposed face and any leaks.
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.
A retaining wall is a structure. Get the engineer to confirm stability and the drainage behind the wall, such as weep holes and drains, before waterproofing. Bulging, tilting or wide cracks need an engineer's assessment.
Add a crystalline admixture, which lists retaining walls (SikaControl-760 p.1, p.2), or a liquid waterproofing admixture (Sika-1 PK p.1).
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.
Use a waterbar at construction joints (Sika Waterbar V-20 L SH p.1) and at expansion joints (Sika Waterbar O-20 SH p.1). A swelling sealant can be used at construction joints only (SikaSwell S-2 p.1, p.2).
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)
The right product here depends on your site. We confirm it before naming it.
Protect the face that will be against soil with a bituminous coating in 2–3 coats (Sika Bitumen p.1, p.2), a rubberised bitumen emulsion (Sika Igasol Emulsion BA-10 p.1), or a cement-based slurry (SikaTop-107 Seal PK p.1).
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)
For external and internal waterproofing, on concrete, mortar, brickwork, and steel in: Basements, Swimming pools, Water tanks, Flat roofs, Balconies, terraces, Bridges. (TDS p.1)
Plug running leaks in static cracks (SikaSet Waterplug p.1), then coat the exposed face with a slurry that works against negative pressure (SikaSeal-105 PK p.1).
Non-moving (static) cracks and holes with running water or moisture seepage For immersion service For anchoring vertical bolts Basements Foundations Retaining walls Sewers Locations Vertical, overhead, or horizontal Interior or exterior Above or below grade… (TDS p.1)
SikaSeal®-105 PK is used as an economical and easy to use as waterproofing slurry both for external and internal applications. SikaSeal®-105 PK is suitable for the following applications: Water and sewage works, such as tanks and manholes, Basements and lift pits, Retaining walls and bridge struc… (TDS p.1)
Clean the joint, insert a backer rod, prime with Sika Primer PS, and seal with a polysulphide sealant that lists retaining walls. Joint movement must not exceed ±25 % at a 2:1 width-to-depth ratio (Sika Polysulphide GG p.1, p.2, p.3; Sika Primer PS p.1).
It is used on porous substrates such as concrete, brick work and timber. (TDS p.1)
It is used in both vertical and horizontal expansion joints in many types of buildings and civil engineering constructions such as: Retaining walls, Underpasses and tunnels, Reservoirs, Precast concrete elements, Bridges, High and low rise buildings and. (TDS p.1)
A clear water-repellent impregnation reduces water and chloride uptake on the visible face (Sikagard-700 S PK p.1).
Sikagard®-700 S PK is used as water repellent and colourless protective surface treatment on absorbent exposed materials such as concrete, cementitious rendering, concrete tiles, fibre cement, brickwork (clay and lime sand, non-vitrified), natural stone. (TDS p.1,2)
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 concrete (new walls) | SikaControl-760 | SikaControl®-760 is available in 5 Kg & 25 kg pack. | TDS p.1 · March 2025, Version 04.01 |
| 3. Joints in the wall (new walls) | SikaSwell S-2 | 600 ml unipacs | TDS p.1 · May 2021, Version 02.01 |
| 4. Coat the soil face before backfilling | Sika Bitumen | 14 Kg pails | TDS p.1 · May 2021, Version 01.01 |
| 4. Coat the soil face before backfilling | Sika Igasol Emulsion BA-10 | — | TDS p.1 · May 2021, Version 01.01 |
| 4. Coat the soil face before backfilling | SikaTop-107 Seal PK | — | TDS p.1 · May 2026, Version 03.02 |
| 5. Treat leaks on existing walls | SikaSet Waterplug | — | TDS p.1 · September 2024, Version 02.01 |
| 5. Treat leaks on existing walls | SikaSeal-105 PK | — | TDS p.1 · February 2026, Version 02.01 |
| 6. Seal expansion joints | Sika Primer PS | — | TDS p.1 · March 2026, Version 01.01 |
| 6. Seal expansion joints | Sika Polysulphide GG | — | TDS p.1 · May 2021, Version 02.01 |
| 7. Protect the exposed face | Sikagard-700 S PK | 1000 ltr IBC | TDS p.1,2 · August 2026, Version 01.01 |
Plug running leaks (SikaSet Waterplug p.1), then coat the exposed face with a slurry rated for negative water pressure (SikaSeal-105 PK p.1). Drainage behind the wall must also work: ask us.
Sika Polysulphide GG takes ±25 % of the joint width when installed at a 2:1 width-to-depth ratio (Sika Polysulphide GG p.2).
Sika Bitumen is made to protect concrete against aggressive soils and has high resistance to aggressive chemicals and salts (Sika Bitumen p.1).
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.