Is anyone familiar with 'Xypex'? 1

[rholder98]

We had a rep come into the office yesterday, talking about this product. It reportedly waterproofs concrete by reacting with the unhydrated cement to form crystals. It can be spray or brush applied as a slurry, broadcast as a dry-shake, or cast as an admixture.

I was wondering if anyone is familiar with it, and would share an opinion. It sounds great, but I'd like to hear reports from those that have used it. Thanks in advance.

 

[LittleWheels]

I haven't had direct experience with it but some other engineers here have. It is a rigid water proofing, of course, so can't cope with any movement. Other than that, I'm told it does a lot of 'what it says on the tin'.

 

[dik]

The product has been around for years. I've used it a long time ago and as noted, it doesn't work for dynamic cracks, but works very well for static ones.

Dik

 

[Bagman2524]

I used it as an admixture metal wastewater pond at a power plant about 4 years ago. Bags were added at the concrete mixing plant. As far as I know it is still holding up well. Xypex was recommended by our Tnemec rep.

 

[BarryEng]

The products are xypex & vandex. They work by growing crystals in the presence of moisture. The sales people will tell you that you can paint the material on to the outside of a concrete tank that is leaking, & the crystals will grow into the water & seal the crack.
I have used the product & the best solution I have found, is groove out the crack ON THE WATER RETAINING FACE & trowel in a paste of the material into a cut V notch.
Then it appears to work. I have NOT had success with painting the material on the dry face & expecting the crystals to seal into the water path.

I agree with dik that it works with a 'non active' crack but I would have reservations about using it on 'active' cracks.

BarryEng

 

[dik]

Yup... for active cracks, best approach is to route and caulk using a properly proportioned caulk joint...

Dik