A CENTURY OF WATERPROOFING INNOVATIONIt is now 100 years since the world was first introduced to ‘Remember it’s Waterproof’ - the ad slogan that gave RIW its name. Since then, we have moved with the times, our product range evolving to incorporate the latest developments in waterproofing systems. Martin Radford, our Commercial Sales Lead looks at where we came from and where we are now.
Over the last century we have been the name to depend on for structural waterproofing, with a wide product range always being a key part of RIW’s strength. In the 1950s, we became famous for our Liquid Asphaltic Composition (LAC®), the two coat cold applied bitumen based product that become the go-to solution and known throughout the industry as ‘two coats of RIW’.
Over the decades we continued to innovate and add new products to the portfolio. We introduced Sheetseal in the 1970s, relaunched Toughseal and Flexiseal in the 80s, added Cavity Drain in the 1990s and Structureseal in the early 2000’s. We then expanded our range with cement based coatings and recently added Kryton products to our portfolio.
Today our range features products for below, at and above ground waterproofing and gas proofing. This includes: Liquid applied systems, sheet systems, structural drainage, sodium bentonite systems and cement based products.
Our comprehensive range means we can offer the options that best meet the customer and site requirements. At RIW we are not interested in creating complex solutions or pushing certain products that are the ‘focus’ for the sales team at the time. We simply recommend the best product for the job.
Product spotlight: Flexiseal 500 HG
To extend our offering further we recently introduced FLEXISEAL™ 500 HG liquid waterproofing system, a fast-curing, two-component, waterproofing membrane ideal for podium decks, terraces, balconies and roofs - including Green and Bio-Diverse roofs. It offers a faster and safer installation when compared with the hot melt and polyurea alternatives. As a liquid, hand applied product FLEXISEAL™ 500 HG system allows simple and reliable waterproofing of irregular profiles, complex details, vertical surfaces and areas that would be inaccessible with heated boilers, compressors and heated spray equipment.
FLEXISEAL™ 500 HG is suitable for use on concrete, steel or masonry substrates and cures rapidly even at low temperatures. Once fully cured it has excellent chemical, UV, abrasion and impact resistance and does not shrink, crack or become brittle with age.
Product spotlight: Krystol Internal Membrane™ (KIM®) concrete waterproofing admixture
An area of our range that surprises some customers is the concrete waterproofing. Kryton’s Krystol Internal Membrane (KIM®) waterproofing is a hydrophilic crystalline admixture that provides a simple, reliable and permanent concrete waterproofing solution. The Krystol technology in KIM® chemically reacts with water and un-hydrated cement particles in concrete to form insoluble, needle-shaped crystals that fill capillary pores and micro-cracks. By blocking channels in the concrete, it prevents water and waterborne contaminants from penetrating the surface. Any moisture introduced over the lifespan of the concrete will initiate further crystallization, ensuring a continuous waterproof seal and independent tests have shown that even cracks up to 0.5 mm were automatically sealed.
KIM® is simple to use and can be added directly to the ready-mix truck on site or at the concrete batch plant. It is suitable for a wide range of applications including basements, lift pits and below ground structures, aquariums, zoos and waterparks, as well as infrastructure projects such as dams, tunnels and roads. KIM® is also tested and certified by the British Board of Agrément (BBA) and approved for potable water, making it safe for use on water containment tanks and reservoirs.
The needs of every project are different and that is why having an extensive range of solutions is so important. Click here to speak to a member of our team about a current or upcoming project.
