What is Waterproof Cement? Uses, Benefits and Meaning
What is Waterproof Cement? Uses, Benefits and Meaning
Published: 27 Jun 2024 |
Modified: 28 Jul 2025
ਮੁੱਖBlogs
What is Waterproof Cement? Uses, Benefits and Meaning
Create Your Dream Home With Our Painting Experts
Create Your Dream Home With Our Painting Experts
Fill the form below to book a free site evaluation by Nerolac Nxtgen painting Services expert
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Have you ever wondered how buildings are constructed in places prone to flooding or high groundwater levels? Or how structures like basements, retaining walls, and tunnels are built underground without leaking? The answer lies in waterproof cement - a specialised cement formulation that helps prevent the penetration and transmission of water. In this article, we'll look deeper at waterproof cement, how it works, different types, and common applications.
Understanding Waterproof Cement
Understanding Waterproof Cement
What is Waterproof Cement?
Waterproof cement is a cement product modified or treated to reduce its permeability to water. It fills the tiny pores and capillaries within hardened cement and concrete to prevent water from seeping. On the other hand, regular cement is quite porous and allows water to pass through easily over time if exposed to moisture continually. Products like Nerolac Cement Putty can be used to treat regular cement and seal its pores, making it more water resistant.
Benefits of Using Waterproof Cement
Beyond the primary benefit of preventing water seepage, there are some other key advantages to using waterproof cement formulations:
Protection for below-grade foundations, basements, tunnels, and other subterranean structures.
Improved durability of structures in wet or coastal areas like bridges, piers, ports, and ships.
Waterproofing of planters, fountains, pools, and other garden or landscape fixtures that will be exposed to water long-term.
Prevention of leaky roofs, cracks in water-holding tanks, and water damage to below-grade parking structures.
Reduced repair costs, increased service lifetime, and lowered long-term maintenance needs of the constructed asset.
Suitability for critical uses like wastewater containment and municipal water infrastructure projects.
Exploring Water Proof Cement
Exploring Water Proof Cement
Difference Between Waterproof Cement and Water Proof Concrete
It's important not to confused waterproof cement with waterproof concrete, as they are different yet complementary building materials:
Waterproof cement is a specialised cement formulation that becomes the binding agent or "glue" within a concrete mix.
Waterproof concrete has waterproof cement added during production, but it also includes other water-blocking additives mixed directly into the concrete slab.
Cement becomes the hardened paste that holds sand, gravel, and aggregates together in concrete. Concrete is the composite building material resulting from the mixture.
Waterproof cement helps make concrete more water resistant by filling its pores from within. Waterproof concrete utilises extra protections on top of the waterproof cement to provide multiple barriers against water penetration.
Applications of Water Proof Cement
Common applications where waterproof cement varieties are employed include:
Foundations, basements, and retaining walls below grade.
Tunnels, subways, and other underground structures.
Storage tanks, water treatment facilities, bioswale filtration systems.
Ports, docks, bridges near water.
Parking structures, green roofs, plaza decking.
Fountains, water features, pools, and other water-holding structures.
Planter boxes, landscape borders, garden walls.
Cementitious Waterproofing
Cementitious Waterproofing
What is Cementitious Waterproofing?
Cementitious waterproofing refers to liquid or slurry coatings that are cement-based and provide a waterproof barrier over concrete surfaces. These products work in conjunction with waterproof cement mixes. Nerolac Perma Cement is ideal for waterproofing concrete surfaces and further strengthening the barrier against water ingress provided by waterproof cement mixes.
Types of Cementitious Waterproofing Products
There are two main categories of cementitious waterproofing:
Concrete Surface Retarders—Also called membrane-forming curing compounds, they are paint-like liquids rolled or sprayed onto fresh concrete. As the cement cures, they form a membrane that seals pores.
Cementitious Topping/Overlay Mortars—These slurry coatings can be applied to existing concrete as a patching compound or over fresh-poured slabs. They fill voids, crack-bridge, and lock down a waterproof crystalline structure.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Waterproof Cement
Cementitious waterproofing's advantages include compatibility with concrete, moisture curing, self-healing properties, and the ability to withstand surface damage better than thin liquid-applied membranes. Disadvantages can include longer cure times and the potential for efflorescence/staining.
Waterproof Concrete
Waterproof Concrete
Understanding Water Proof Concrete
Waterproof concrete goes beyond waterproof cement alone by combining multiple protections within the concrete mix. Integral waterproofing admixtures are added to fill pores from inside while a barrier membrane is placed.
How Waterproof Concrete is Made
The production process involves:
A waterproof cement that limits water penetration into hardened concrete is used.
Very fine aggregates, such as fly ash or ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), are included during batching. These micro-fillers further densify the mix.
Adding moisture-curing liquid admixtures or special wax/resin emulsions that migrate to the surface and harden into a barrier skin.
The result is a concrete mix that self-seals during curing and has an impermeable internal structure resistant to water under pressure on all sides. It provides a total barrier against moisture for more critical applications.
Practical Uses of Waterproof Concrete
Common uses of waterproof concrete involve anything requiring absolute water immersion protection, like water tanks, sewage/wastewater containment, below-grade pool structures, and marine infrastructure in submerged conditions.
Water Resistant Concrete
Water Resistant Concrete
What Makes Concrete Water Resistant?
While not fully waterproof, water-resistant concrete employs measures to limit water penetration with a breathable design significantly. It uses:
A low water-cement ratio during batching for a denser, less porous concrete.
Special water-reducing or high-range water-reducing (HRWR) admixtures to hydrate the cement more efficiently.
Air entrainment bubbles tiny air pockets that provide cushioning against freeze/thaw damage.
Differences Between Water Resistant and Water Proof Concrete
While water-resistant and waterproof concrete both aim to limit water penetration, there are key distinctions in their permeability:
Waterproof concrete is completely impermeable and will not allow any water to pass through, even under pressure. It creates a total barrier to moisture.
Water-resistant concrete is partially watertight. It is more permeable and will allow a small amount of water vapour transmission to avoid damage from water buildup behind the material.
The density and pore structure also differs - waterproof varieties have a pore size of less than 0.012mm, while water-resistant is more porous with pores <0.05mm wide.
Water-resistant concrete relies on limiting water flow through natural density from the mix design and evaporation/drying. Waterproof versions use added barriers and sealants.
Applications of Water Resistant Concrete
Some common applications well-suited for water-resistant concrete include:
Above-grade foundation walls, retaining walls, and basement perimeter walls. These are below-ground but allow drying to the surrounding air.
Exterior flatwork like sidewalks, driveways, parking structures - able to withstand occasional flooding or wet weather.
Marine environments above tidal range, like docks, piers, and marinas, are not fully submerged.
Flood-prone areas for structures above expected flood levels.
Sewer manhole components and wastewater containment that will transfer gases.
The Bottom Line
Waterproof cement, waterproof concrete, and water-resistant concrete play important roles in construction by providing moisture protection for buildings and structures. The right choice depends on the application and permeability requirements. For your construction projects in wet or flood-prone areas, consider Nerolac's range of waterproof cement and concrete products to protect your structures from water seepage and damage throughout their lifetime. Rely on Nerolac for your concrete needs in speciality.
Nerolac Paints, a leading paint company in India offers a wide range of wall paint colours & painting services & solutions for homes & offices.
Colour Combination for Walls: 10 Beautiful House Colour Combination Ideas
You will be redirected to a webpage/domain hosted by a third-party service provider (“Service Provider”) for limited purposes related to your interaction with Kansai Nerolac Paints.
Please note that while the Company’s logo may appear on the Service Provider’s page, it is not a Company-controlled page and is operated independently by the Service Provider.
On the Service Provider’s page, you will be provided with options for submitting your data, including uploading documents or providing information through various means.
While these options are enabled through a service provider, the Company does not endorse any specific option, and you are requested to choose independently and at your sole discretion.
Any actions taken on the Service Provider’s page, including the submission of data, shall be a matter between you and the Service Provider, and the Company will not be a party to this relationship.
You are responsible for the consent you provide on the Service Provider’s page, and any acceptance of terms beyond the purpose of use by the Company shall be deemed a contract between you and the Service Provider.
By providing your data through any of the available modes, you agree to share and disclose your information with the Company and the Service Provider for the purposes outlined above.
The Company may process, retain, and use the information as per its discretion.
For any modification, correction or erasure of the provided information, please raise you request by sending an email to [email protected]
Consent
In this Consent the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings assigned to them hereunder: By 'personal information' we mean names, addresses, email addresses, job experience and history and any other personal information you voluntarily provide about you and your skills and interests .“Data” shall mean all personal data, transactional data, Derivative Data, any other information, etc., in relation to me/us, including the following in relation to past Products:
By providing the consent you agree to providing your personal data which can be used by KNPL for the purposes mentioned hereafter and confirm that this consent is being given freely by you without any pressure, influence, or coercion from any other person, and that the consent is informed and unconditional.
Information submitted while making any application or request to the KNPL for any Product. Collection of information from personal correspondence (emails, letters) or third-party communications related to user activities on the website. Information may be used to offer products/services from the company and joint sponsors. Communicate with customers about orders, products, services, and promotional offers. Enhance and personalize the shopping and viewing experience on the website.
Additional information collected during transactions includes billing address, payment instrument details, and tracking information, handling orders, delivering products/services, and processing payments.
Information from messages or feedback provided by users is collected and retained for dispute resolution and customer support.
any information obtained/received by KNPL from any other source.
Collection of demographic and other data for advertising and promotional purposes. It can be used to show relevant content and customer reviews, suggest merchandise and services of interest, Improve the website and prevent/detect fraud or abuse, enable third parties to perform technical or logistical functions on behalf of the company.
We may share your personal information with vendors or service providers such as companies who help us with database administration. We may also share your personal information with other Kansai Nerolac companies in other countries where data privacy laws may not be equivalent to those in force in India.
any Derivative Data.
DEFINITIONS
“Derivative Data” shall mean any insights, analytics, performance metrics, behavioural projections, customer profiling, and reports (prepared by the Company internally or by third parties) that are generated through the analysis of data collected from customers, sales transactions, market research, and other relevant sources. This includes, but is not limited to, colour preference trends, purchase frequency, customer demographics, product usage patterns, and feedback analysis. Derivative Data may also include predictive analytics regarding future buying behaviour, inventory optimization, and market demand forecasts, whether derived from the information collected from customers or in combination with any other information sourced from external databases, market research firms, or other entities, whether by the Company or other persons. The process of arriving at and generating such Derivative Data through any of the above sub-processes/methods shall be referred to as “Derivation”.
“Specified Purposes” shall collectively mean the collection of personal data for various essential functions, including customer identification and verification to ensure eligibility for services or promotions, processing and fulfilling orders accurately, and enhancing customer engagement through tailored marketing campaigns and personalized offers. The data will also be utilized for monitoring sales trends and inventory management to optimize stock availability, providing customer support and service to address inquiries and resolve issues, and gathering feedback for product improvement and innovation. Additionally, the company will conduct market research and analysis to understand trends and customer preferences, implement risk assessment measures to detect and prevent fraud, and ensure compliance with legal obligations, including data protection and consumer rights. Personal data will support the management of loyalty programs and promotions, enhance the digital experience on the website through personalization, and facilitate data sharing with third-party partners for operational efficiency. Furthermore, the company will collect data for sustainability and environmental reporting, engage in necessary legal and regulatory compliance activities, and utilize analytics to monitor website performance and overall business effectiveness. aggregators, payment gateways, payments systems, performance of any legal and/or regulatory obligations, filings, reporting, etc., whether any of these are undertaken internally or through any Processing Entity.
"Processing” shall mean any operation or set of operations performed on Data, and includes operations such as collection, recording, organisation, structuring, storage, adaptation, retrieval, use, alignment or combination, indexing, sharing, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or otherwise making available, restriction, erasure or destruction and the term “Process” and “Processed” shall be construed accordingly.
“Processing Entity” shall mean any third party company(ies), bureau(s), consultant(s), vendor(s), agent(s), fintech entity(ies), co-brand entity(ies)/partner(s), distributor(s), selling/ marketing agent(s), any partner(s), collaborator(s), merchant(s), aggregator(s), lead generator(s), sourcing entity(ies), client(s), customer(s) or other person(s) with whom the KNPL has any direct or indirect arrangement or tie-up or contract for any products or services/ intermediary(ies) in any ecosystem of which KNPL is a part, and such Processing Entities’ service providers, consultants, vendors, etc.
“Product(s)” shall mean all types of paint and related products offered by the Company, including but not limited to topcoat, under coat, interior and exterior paints, primers, sealants, varnishes, specialty coatings, tools and ancillaries, wood finishes and construction chemicals. This definition encompasses products sold directly through the Company’s online platform, as well as those distributed through authorized dealers, retailers, contractors or other third-party vendors. The Products may also include complementary items such as paintbrushes, rollers, paint trays, and other application tools, as well as services related to colour consultation, custom mixing, and professional painting services. The Products that have been applied for, requested, or purchased by me/us (including where the initiation of any transaction is not directly with the Company but is with a relevant distributor or retailer) shall be referred to as “Requested Products,” while any Products (including future offerings) other than the Requested Products shall be referred to as “Other Products.”
CONSENT
I hereby authorize Kansai Nerolac Paints Limited (“Company”) to process my personal data (“Data”) or any part thereof for any of the Specified Purposes:
SPECIFIED PURPOSE
In connection with the assessment or processing of my application/request for any Requested Product, or to take any steps prior to entering into any contract, or to determine eligibility for the Requested Products, or in connection with the execution or furtherance of a contract/transaction, including performance by the Company or me/us or any other intermediaries, of any contract or part thereof, or any regulatory or legal obligations in relation to any Requested Product availed or in pursuance thereof;
In connection with the derivation and sharing of any derivative data (between the Company and any processing entity) related to the purposes.
In connection with contacting me, establishing communication, and monitoring my interactions through email, postal address, telephone, social media, notifications, and other electronic.
PURPOSES
I authorize the Processing Entities to process my Data or any part thereof for any of the Specified Purposes.
For the purposes covered above, it shall be deemed that I have furnished all the Data separately under this consent.
I confirm that the Data provided and that will be provided by me from time to time is accurate, updated, and complete in all respects.
I agree that the consents/authorizations for the Specified Purposes shall survive beyond the validity of such application/tenure of the Product/consummation of any transaction, to the extent any of the Specified Purposes survive.
The consents given or denied under this document do not limit any other consents obtained or given.
I acknowledge and confirm that all the Specified Purposes are lawful purposes.
I understand and agree that the processing of Data is necessary for the Specified Purposes.
I acknowledge that the request for consent or my giving of this consent does not limit or prejudice any grounds or bases that the Company or any Processing Entities may have for processing the Data without consent. This consent is in addition to any such grounds or bases. For clarity, even if this consent is withdrawn, the Company and/or the Processing Entities may continue to process the Data for the performance of contracts related to the Requested Products or for taking any steps pursuant to the contract or for protecting the legitimate interests of the Company.
I acknowledge that since this consent is the basis for the Company to enter a contract related to the Requested Products, it is necessary to process the Data for the purposes of the contract. Withdrawal of this consent will not prevent the Company and/or Processing Entities from continuing to process the Data for the purposes of the contract.
Get in Touch
Get in Touch
Store Locator
Store Locator
Download App
Download App
×
Get in Touch
Looking for something else? Drop your query and we will contact you.