BENTONITE EXTERIOR WATERPROOFING FOR WET BASMENTS AND FOUNDATIONS

This is CETCO Voltex DS, used for exterior waterproofing on new construction.  There's a black plastic barrier, if ripped or opened, will expose the bentonite (the solid gray layer).  When in contact with water, the bentonite will swell up to 15x creating a thick, sticky goo that will resist water movement further into the wall.  The white fibers help hold the bentonite in place while instalation is going on.  The bentonite is attached to the wall along with prep work to anything that might be a future problem.

We use this on all kinds of new construction foundations, one of our favorites is garages built into hills.  Since a drain tile would freeze in the winter, this give a water-tite barrier on the outside of the foundation.

BENTOGROUT Bentonite is a high-solids grout consisting of a blend of bentonite and polymers formulated for sealing water leaks in existing below-grade structures. 

BENTOGROUT is pumped in a fluid state adjacent to the exterior of the structure where it sets up into a gelatinous state forming a waterproofing barrier. BENTOGROUT can be used to seal leaks in concrete, masonry block, brick, and stone foundations.

BENTOGROUT is mixed with water and pumped adjacent to the exterior of the building.  There it will follow water pathways and fill underground voids, it solidifies and expands slightly to form a flexible waterproofing barrier.  Additional water pressure will just push it more into the foundation.

When bentonite sets up properly it's has a thick, chunky peanut-butter consistancy that will self-heal if "punctured."  This photo shows a layer of bentonite between a concrete wall and sand. It also shows how the bentonite will surround the bolt and keep water from moving through this area.

If the bolt rusts and dissolves over the years, the self-healing nature of bentonite will fill the voids from the rusted bolt.  Additional water pressure will push the bentonite into the concrete hole and continue to seal this area.

Bentonite is one of the only materials that will stay flexible, we call it self-healing.  Other materials like asphalt,  paint and tar coatings will eventually dry and flake off the surface, if you look at homes a few years old you can see the black coatings that look faded and have very little water protection left.

Bentonite is an all-natural product, it will not polute water or the soil, in fact they use it to build man-made ponds and lakes.

Bentonite can be pumped from above-grade outside the structure without excavating, or from the interior of the structure through drilled holes in the walls or slabs. Limited jobsite space is required for injection.

Unlike many remedial waterproofing products that are applied as a surface treatment to the interior of the foundation, BENTOGROUT is applied to the exterior of the building where it stops the water before it can penetrate the foundation and help slow further damage to the walls.

The thick BENTOGROUT barrier covers the exterior surface of the structure filling voids in the adjacent soil and bridging over small cracks in the concrete. Also, BENTOGROUT has the ability to self-seal if the structure settles and therefore its performance is not limited by future hairline cracking in the concrete. BENTOGROUT does not shrink or dry out in sub-surface soil formations and is not affected by freeze/thaw cycling. 

It remains flexible, maintains a putty-like consistency over time, and retains a swell potential to seal itself off. And since BENTOGROUT primarily consists of natural minerals it is friendly to the environment and will last the life of the structure