With both the surface-applied and the admixture solu-tions,
the Krystol product’s – “magic crystals,” said Biparva
– react with unhydrated cement particles, creating millions
of insoluble needle-like crystals that spread deep into the
concrete. The crystals continue to grow for months, sealing
the concrete’s micro cracks and voids, effectively blocking
pathways for water and waterborne contaminants. And,
because the crystals grow deep into the concrete, the friction
caused by pile driving cannot remove the product.
Benefits of Krystol use
The fact that Krystol is not removed or damaged during driv-ing
is the first among its benefits. That feature is essential;
without it, the product’s other benefits might not remain.
Since this benefit is delivered by any admixture water-proofing
solution, though, Biparva said “the key benefits of
Krystol come back to its special ingredients. Krystol acts
as a catalyst to a larger reaction within the concrete mass.
Hence, it is not consumed. The chemical is never used up
during the crystallization process.” As a catalyst, he says, only
a very small amount of Krystol is required to grow a very large
quantity of crystals. The ability to reactivate in the presence
of water gives crystalline-treated concrete the ability to self-seal.
The Krystol remains in the concrete structure for the
entire life of the structure and can be reactivated at any time.
This long-term crystal-producing property enables the
product to permanently waterproof concrete piles and
protect their reinforcing steel. The durability this results in
KRYSTOL
INTERNAL
MEMBRANE™
(KIM®)
Kryton.com
increases the service life of the structure, certainly a selling
feature for contractors in their bids for jobs. (In other appli-cations,
use of Krystol means that fewer repairs are required
over the years, which helps to keep long-term maintenance
costs down.)
The admixture, simply added to the other components in
the concrete-making process, saves a lot of time for water-proofing,
thereby lowering labour costs for this part of
any project.
“We sell a lot of the product based on the cost and time sav-ings
it enables,” said Kris Till, product manager for Kryton.
Further, according to Biparva, the product is envi-ronmentally
friendly. Not oil based and with no volatile
organic compounds, the crystals become part of the con-crete.
Concrete piles treated with Krystol that are part of a
structure at the end of its service life can be recycled into
aggregate without concern for their environmental impact;
the product is safe for contact with potable water and certi-fied
by NSF International to NSF/ANSI Standard 61 Drinking
Water System Components – Health Effects. It also has no
effect on air quality.
Till notes that Krystol has been used in 55 countries
around the world. Those countries include Canada and
Qatar, demonstrating the product works effectively at both
very low and very high temperatures.
Utilizing concrete waterproofing products in the
piling industry
Construction RFQs and RFPs don’t frequently stipulate the
use of a Krystol product for concrete piles. Biparva believes
that reflects a still-limited awareness of the product (and its
benefits) for this purpose.
Krystol distributors – many local ready-mix produc-ers
– can provide cost information to enable pile driving
companies to plan for the use of Krystol in their project pro-posals.
The Kryton website also features a cost-comparison
calculator to allow contractors to determine the upfront
cost of the product for their application. Till says the
product cost is comparable to or lower than that of other
waterproofing options.
The long service life for concrete piles treated with Krystol
boosts the product’s value. Any cost comparison should take
that value into account. Watertight and durable concrete
piles will last well into the future.
FEATURE
The ability to reactivate in the presence of water gives
crystalline-treated concrete the ability to self-seal
40 Q2 2018 www.pilingcanada.ca
