Mastic Asphalt is a highly versatile material used in the construction industry for tanking waterproofing. Manufactured and delivered in block form and then exposed to extremely high temperatures, in a mastic asphalt mixer it becomes a liquid substance. In molten form in the hands of an asphalt specialist craftsman it can be poured or spread over virtually any surface to provide almost unparalleled waterproofing and strength.
Traditionally comprising of suitably graded limestone and finally course aggregates bound together with refined bitumen and asphaltic cement it has now be reformulated to include advanced polymers for increased durability combining its traditional strengths with modern technology. Spread by hand at its working temperature condition it is an ideal building material for waterproofing both external and internal for areas of tanking, carparks and flooring where a smooth, seamless, durable surface is required.
Referred to by many in the construction industry as “The king of waterproofing” due to its high density, malleability and sheer versatility it is must loves for its ability to hide architectural mishaps and fill the smallest of inaccessible areas from the client eyes so to speak.
Known for its waterproofing on historical buildings properly designed and laid by hands of a skilled craftsman and lasting up to 60 years it is no wonder it has been used on landmarks including the battlement walkways on the tower of London and for tanking at St Pauls Cathedral and Canterbury where we still work today.
Walls into the floor, externally a concrete base must extend 150ml below floor level asphalt lined in 3 coats 30mm thick. Double fillet sealed upstands and horizontals as standard with a fillet to each layer’s base. Given that the maximum water pressure is known a concrete, strong enough to resist, is laid over as soon as practically possible before any other work occurs.
When Internal mastic asphalt tanking is applied to basement surfaces, concrete base and the structural walls of brickwork or concrete it should be completed prior to commencement of mastic asphalting.
Horizontal mastic asphalt complete, the vertical bottom bay of the mastic asphalt and the angle fillets, a protective cement, sand screed must be carefully laid over the mastic asphalt without delay a minimum 50mm thickness of and before the greater part of the vertical mastic asphalt is applied.
Tanking completed, the structural slab should be laid, and loading walls erected providing they have been pre-designed to with stand the anticipated water at maximum pressure that is.