Waterproofing Systems for Civil Buildings

Flat rooftop membranes must resist UV degradation, thermal cycling (temperature swings of -30°C to +80°C surface temperature in Central European climates), standing water, and mechanical damage from foot traffic during maintenance. For inverted (upside-down) roof assemblies, the membrane must also resist water retained beneath insulation. Gemite's flexible polymer-modified membranes are tested to EN 13956 and provide 10+ year service life on exposed applications. For planted (green) roofs, additional root-resistance certification per FLL guidelines is required - ask our technical team for the appropriate system.

Concrete structures develop cracks over time due to thermal movement, settlement, shrinkage, and live loads. A waterproofing membrane without crack-bridging capability will fail when the substrate cracks beneath it, even if the membrane was correctly applied originally. Crack-bridging capability - typically expressed as the maximum crack width the membrane can span while remaining watertight - is tested under EN 14891 Class 2 (≥1.25 mm at -5°C) and EN 12002 (≥2.5 mm at room temperature). Gemite's polymer-modified systems achieve crack-bridging of up to 1.6 mm at low temperatures, making them suitable for exposed applications subject to significant thermal movement. Rigid cementitious systems without elasticity are not appropriate for elements subject to movement.

Yes - several products in the Gemite civil buildings range are formulated for application on damp or actively saturated concrete substrates. This is particularly valuable in basements and below-grade structures where full drying of the concrete is impractical. Crystalline waterproofing systems are inherently suited to wet substrates because water is part of the chemical reaction that forms the crystalline barrier. Polymer-modified cementitious coatings with specific admixtures can also be applied on damp (saturated surface dry) concrete. Products that require dry substrates are clearly identified in their technical data sheets, and our technical team will specify the correct product for your moisture conditions.

Yes. Gemite's waterproofing membranes for floors, balconies, and terraces are tested for adhesion compatibility with standard cementitious tile adhesives according to EN 14891. The test verifies that the tensile adhesion strength of tiles bonded over the membrane meets the threshold required for both wet areas and outdoor exposed applications. Our technical documentation includes the list of compatible tile adhesive types and the required waiting time between membrane application and tiling. Natural stone finishes may require additional compatibility testing depending on the stone type and adhesive - contact our technical department for project-specific guidance.