Bitumen Mastic
General Description of Bitumen Mastic
When you build a home with care and love, you need to ensure it’s protected, especially from moisture. The quality of waterproofing plays a critical role in determining the lifespan of your foundation and roof. Among the various modern materials available, there’s one that offers seamless, airtight protection against water, even in challenging areas and on difficult surfaces, all at an affordable price – that’s bitumen mastic asphalt.
Today’s bitumen mastic is a blend of natural bitumen, a byproduct of oil refining, and synthetic modifiers. These modifiers enhance the coating’s durability, adhesion, and ease of application. Bitumen mastic is versatile, suitable for waterproofing surfaces made of bricks, concrete, wood, as well as for filling irregularities, repairing cracks, and bonding roofing membranes. It boasts several advantages, including high flexibility, adhesion to almost any surface, long-lasting resistance to cracks and fractures, and durability in aggressive environments.
Types of Bitumen Mastic Additives
Bitumen mastic comes in various types, each with specific properties:
- Mastic Asphalt: Traditional and cost-effective.
- Bituminous Mastic: Offers high elasticity and resilience against external factors.
- Bitumen Mastic Emulsion: Primarily used for surface pre-treatment before waterproofing; has a more liquid consistency.
- Bitumen Mastic-Polymer: Contains synthetic rubber, plasticizers, and solvents to enhance longevity and quality.
Bitumen mastic has been employed for many years as a weather and wear-resistant surface for roofs, floors, walkways, and light driveways. It consists mainly of graded mineral aggregate and a bituminous binder. It stands apart from the bituminous wearing surfaces used on streets and roads, as it contains a higher bituminous binder content, giving it a dough-like consistency when hot. This enables it to be easily compressed and smoothed to a uniform surface using simple hand tools.
Bitumen mastic is an excellent choice for a caulking agent in various construction applications, including concrete, brickwork, and other materials. It is known for its tough, flexible sealing properties, high abrasion resistance, and tolerance for high temperatures. It is available in different quantities and cost-effective rates to cater to the needs of various projects.
Bitumen Sealing Mastic
Bitumen Sealing Mastic has a wide range of applications, including fixing cracks, sealing details, reinforcing joints, and fixing bituminous shingles. It is specifically designed to work in conjunction with polymer bitumen membranes for roofing applications. This flexible bituminous mastic, reinforced with synthetic fibers, forms a plasticized layer with exceptional adhesion once dry. It adheres well to various surfaces, including bituminous surfaces, galvanized sheets, metal sheets, concrete, fiber cement, and more. It boasts excellent resistance to aging, UV rays, and atmospheric aggression. Bitumen Sealing Mastic can be applied at low temperatures, on slightly humid surfaces, and is compatible with all types of bituminous membranes.
Application of Bitumen Mastic
Bitumen Mastic is a versatile, non-slumping compound used for various roofing and waterproofing applications. It is commonly used for:
- General waterproofing and sealing repairs
- Sealing cracks, holes, and joints, either as a finishing layer or as a base coat before applying other materials
- Remedial work before applying SEALOFLASH or ALLPRUFE
- Filling cracks and fissures in various surfaces, including concrete, roofing felt, asphalt, lead, zinc, corrugated asbestos cement, steel, masonry, and rendering
- Joint-sealing in gutters, spouts, down-pipes, between corrugated asbestos-cement and iron sheeting, around skylights, and pre-cast concrete units
- Bedding tiles, slates, and flashings in position
- Acting as an acid and alkali-resistant protective impervious membrane suitable for concrete, brickwork, steel, and more
- Resisting mild corrosive conditions effectively
Bitumen Mastic is a reliable choice for addressing a wide range of construction and waterproofing needs, ensuring your structures remain protected and secure for years to come.