Recycled Tyres as Cold Melt Waterproofing

Mace’s Hanover Square project have used a new method for waterproofing concrete from a supplier called Proteus – this is the first time this system has been used on a Mace project and has been extremely effective.

Benefits of the system include:

• Entirely removes the need for hot works, as there is no longer the need for a gas pot or a electric boiler.
• The product used is made out of recycled car tyres which often have few alternative uses.
• Can be applied three days after the concrete pour rather than the four weeks required by traditional methods (note it does however take longer to install but overall is still a quicker method).
• No peel tests are required, just a basic leak test after it has been applied.

Key challenges and considerations:

• Slightly more expensive than traditional methods but the overall benefits make it worthwhile.
• Is still a new product so needs to be fully tested on this project as it progresses but has potential to become our standard approach to waterproofing.
• Challenging to find a supply chain that is willing to adopt the system.
• Slightly more susceptible to damage from wear and tear during construction, so needs to be well protected with an exclusion zone immediately after leak testing.