Waterproofing using bentonite has several applications, but it has some disadvantages. Since ancient times, people have widely used bentonite clay to insulate their homes. It was usually applied to the foundations of castles, forts, palaces, and other ancient buildings. Over time, research and development of bentonite clay have raised it to the highest level. Bentonite waterproofing today is a guarantee of the functional durability of your home. Moreover, bentonite waterproofing is a real economy, not only for your business but also for your time and money. It is easy to install and very effective. The process does not require any additional skills, so you can easily do it with your own hands. Bentonite granules are the core of this insulating material. It is a natural substance capable of polymerization. Sodium bentonite, with its special structural properties, tends to swell, increasing its volume by 14-16 times. 
Bentonite turns into a gel that fills cracks and pores in building materials. After a hard plastic material is formed, a waterproof insulation layer appears. Types of bentonite waterproofing Bentonite waterproofing to carry out bentonite waterproofing in modern construction processes, several types of waterproofing materials are often used. They are divided into 4 main categories according to the method of implementation: waterproofing of roofs which are generally made of asphalt and cement-based materials; bentonite waterproofing membrane materials that come in coil type materials; Roll-mounted polymeric film materials, Bentonite mats (or slabs). The main advantages of bentonite waterproofing: its high water-repellent properties; the possibility of using this material in difficult water-repellent conditions (it can withstand hydrostatic pressures up to seven levels of atm); Due to the significant increase in hydration in a confined space, it has the so-called "self-healing" quality. The durability of waterproofing materials due to their characteristics that are stable over time; 
It is very easy to perform without the need for any additional skills (compared to traditional technology, the effort, in this case, is only 20%). It is necessary to emphasize that the use of bentonite waterproofing fills even the pores, cracks, and gaps that are invisible to your eyes, achieving an absolute indicator of water resistance; In fact, you can give your home something very close to the term "eternal life. When it comes to preventing water from traveling through foundation walls into a basement, bentonite offers as much protection as any other form of waterproofing. Keep in mind, however, that the bentonite will not be able to prevent water from entering the basement through the floor or through the cracks where the walls meet the floor. Most people don't need to worry about water getting into the basement through these places. However, if your home is located in a particularly low-lying area, or if the water level around your home is particularly high, you may need to implement a secondary form of waterproofing. A submersible pump and/or French drain working in conjunction with a bentonite system should give accurate results. 
Disadvantages and problems using bentonite as waterproofing Insufficient coverage Bentonite in any form must be applied correctly and with good coverage. Leaving bare or thin spots in your application will leave your concrete open to water intrusion and possible water damage. Coverage issues are a good reason why some forms of bentonite should be applied by a professional who can offer a guarantee on their work. Leaks Basement wall leaking: As with any waterproofing product, bentonite has the potential to leach. It can occur for several reasons, including improper backfilling, poor mulching, or poor uptake quality due to minerals or salt in the soil. excavations Excavation is a costly aspect of any foundation waterproofing that needs to be applied to the outside of the walls. Of course, you need to get to your base to apply bentonite to it. In addition, digging and backfilling can cause significant structural damage to the foundation or waterproofing membrane if not done properly. 
There are several ways to reduce the price of a bentonite waterproofing project. You will see the biggest savings if you apply the bentonite product of your choice during construction. You can also save on waterproofing by turning the app into a DIY project. Again, we highly recommend against drilling and filling due to how damaging it can be if done incorrectly. However, a skilled homeowner can shovel bentonite into external foundation cracks after excavation has been done by a professional, or into internal voids in basement walls. Finally, we encourage you to contact one of our experienced professionals who can help you identify potential complications or additional concerns regarding your particular situation. 
bentonite waterproofing application
One of the applications of bentonite is in the waterproofing of building structures. Bentonite is a type of clay with extraordinary properties of consistency, cohesion, sealing, and thickness. It is usually gray and when processed is a fine powder similar to cement or flour. When bentonite is installed below grade as a waterproofing membrane, it is moistened by moisture naturally present in the soil and forms a waterproof barrier that absorbs and repels water and most chemicals, such as acids and salts (bentonite from sodium). Bentonite can expand and contract an infinite number of times and is capable of absorbing seven to ten times its weight in water, causing it to swell up to 18 times its dry volume. However, for bentonite to function properly as a waterproofing barrier, this barrier must remain under constant minimum pressure of 30 to 60 pounds per square foot. Bentonite is a type of natural clay soil that has many uses. It is a major ingredient in cat litter and some cosmetic pore cleaning products. Some contractors also use bentonite as a waterproof coating for basement foundations. 
Bentonite waterproofing is an external waterproofing treatment that is supposed to work by forming a barrier between wet soil and a building's foundation. Like any type of clay, bentonite absorbs moisture. When the water molecules bind to the clay particles, the clay expands, filling cracks and voids in the foundation so water can't get in. Like any external insulation system, bentonite waterproofing is more effective and economical when applied during new construction. Clay is usually applied as thin sheets, but can also be sprinkled over the base. With a house in place, the foundation must be excavated to apply bentonite sheets. Alternatively, some contractors inject liquid bentonite clay into the ground around the foundation. Bentonite waterproofing comes in various forms that can be applied to concrete block walls or basement floors. They use bentonite, a highly absorbent mineral powder, to seal any cracks or damage to the foundation. Homeowners use bentonite clay as a high-performance waterproofing product due to its ability to absorb and retain water. Clay is used as a protective layer over voids in basement walls and expands when it comes into contact with water. 
Bentonite clay expands to fill foundation cracks if used as plaster. The seal produced by the expanded clay is sufficient to prevent water from infiltrating the concrete space. Pressing the substrate around the foundation can prevent it from expanding outward if it is placed against an exterior basement wall. The beauty of bentonite as a waterproofing method is that it will only expand when water hits it, making it a good solution for leaky basements. Bentonite is sold in different forms and is applied differently depending on that form. I will review the six common types of bentonite waterproofing used in home foundations. Sodium bentonite is the pure bentonite powder found in volcanic ash. It is sold in powder form and is not suitable for vertical structures such as basement walls. Some contractors put a layer of bentonite powder under the concrete panels to protect them from water damage and leaks. It absorbs the most water of any type of bentonite and is the most effective at preventing leaks. Dust sometimes makes application difficult, but it can be mixed with a putty solution and applied like concrete. 
bentonite waterproofing disadvantages
What are the advantages and disadvantages of bentonite waterproofing? Bentonite waterproofing goes by other names, such as "hydro clay," "sodium bentonite," and "granular bentonite. “Before you agree to treat your base with bentonite, it is important that you know one thing. Like any exterior coating, bentonite can only provide effective waterproofing protection if it is applied perfectly. Small gaps, missing spots, and thin coverage are application errors that allow groundwater to enter the basement. This is especially true when the bentonite is injected into the ground instead of being laid in sheets. To obtain complete coverage with bentonite, the foundation must be completely excavated. Bringing heavy equipment onto your property can destroy your garden and landscape; It also turns your property into a premier construction site. Be careful not to damage the foundation during the digging process. Water leaks from inside the foundation. Bentonite applied to foundation walls cannot prevent water from entering your basement along the most common leak area: the crack between the basement slab floor and the basement wall. During wet weather, high hydrostatic pressure can easily push water through cracks in the basement floor and along the floor-to-wall joint. Internal drain and drain pump systems are better able to protect against water ingress because they relieve water pressure rather than cause it to build up. 
Disadvantages of waterproofing with bentonite. As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, you can't rely solely on bentonite to insulate your basement or home foundation. It is necessary to apply a thick layer of bentonite If you apply a thin layer of bentonite, water will eventually enter the basement. While this may happen after a few months or a few years, it will happen eventually. Bentonite is not a permanent solution for waterproofing your basement. Not to mention, if you miss a few points, groundwater will seep into your basement in a matter of days. In most cases, the building contractor will use bentonite slabs. To apply the papers in question, they must excavate all the land around the foundations. This means using heavy machinery that can damage your garden and even the basis is that the whole process is not done properly. Note that bentonite cannot resist cracking in the area where the basement and basement walls meet. The hydrostatic pressure of the ground is very high after heavy rain and this can push the water into the basement. Bentonite is usually placed on the outside of the concrete block or slab walls because the hydrostatic pressure of the soil helps it form a good sealant. The placement process on the concrete depends on the type of bentonite you choose to use. Sodium bentonite can only be used as a powder coating under the concrete slab. Trowel bentonite is applied with a trowel or putty knife, like many other crack fillers. 
Bentonite is placed in the form of a slab or slab or rolled under the slab or on the exterior of basement walls before the area is backfilled. Finally, a bentonite waterproof film can be applied like any basement waterproof paint with a brush, roller, or paint sprayer. Bentonite waterproofing involves the use of a type of clay known as sodium bentonite. This granular clay can be found naturally in many parts of the country. Clay in general shows an incredible tendency to absorb water, expanding in the process. Bentonite differs from other types of clay in that it possesses this absorptive capacity to an extraordinary degree. Sodium bentonite will continue to absorb water until it swells to approximately 15 times its volume while dry. This property of bentonite makes it suitable for waterproofing in two main ways. As the water migrates through the ground, it will be absorbed by a strategically placed layer of bentonite before it contacts the foundation walls. As bentonite swells more with water, its protective abilities will continue to increase. This is because the bulging forces will cause the bentonite to become increasingly dense. By the time it reaches its full capacity, it will have become so dense that water will not be able to pass through it. 
bentonite waterproofing process As with most basement waterproofing projects, the first steps involve digging up the soil around the foundation. To provide maximum protection, the entire foundation wall should be exposed in this manner. Only then can one of three different bentonite waterproofing methods be applied. The first bentonite waterproofing method involves packing loose bentonite into the space between the foundation wall and the ground. Despite its simplicity, this method has some drawbacks. First, it requires a large amount of bentonite, which can be expensive. Loose bentonite is also at risk of gradually migrating into the ground, leaving the baseless protected. The second bentonite waterproofing method seeks to prevent such unwanted migration. The first consists of placing a layer of bentonite between two sheets of geotextile. A geotextile is a type of tightly woven fabric designed to allow water to pass through while blocking out soil and other particles.