This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Product Focus – Koster NB 4000
Waterproofing products for cold weather
If you read about construction materials or browse the internet, you could be forgiven for thinking that it’s all about money saving, quick fixes. But the truth is, we should be thinking about products which bring value.
As the saying goes “buy cheap, buy twice”. Buying a cheap but inferior product is a false economy since it will need replacement or will fail to performance as required and in the world of structural waterproofing, it’s not going to stop water ingress!
Paul Callaghan, Technical Waterproofing Consultant at Delta, covers some of the key things you need to think about if you’re planning on successful waterproofing projects in colder temperatures. We hope Paul’s insights and tips will help you choose a material that will work for your project and give you confidence in your product approach.
What is it? Where did it come from?
With current UK temperatures plummeting and snow predicted over many parts of the country (if you haven’t already got snow), it’s important to understand why it’s necessary to build differently in when temperatures drop.
A product I’ll always recommend in colder temperatures is Koster NB 4000.
This reliable tanking render slurry cures quickly in difficult ambient conditions and is resistant to rain after approximately 2 hours.
Koster Bauchemie AG have been specialising in development and production of high-quality waterproofing systems since 1982. Their headquarters are in based in Aurich, Germany.
Delta Membrane Systems is the UK distributor of Koster products.
What does it do?
Tanking slurries have been around for decades and used in below ground structures since I joined the waterproofing industry. However not all products can be used in lower temperatures, it’s now a very scientific approach.
A variety of materials that are used in structural waterproofing, tanking products in this instance will contain an element of water. When a product cures, that water element will evaporate, leaving behind the cured product.
When temperatures drop and turn colder, the water contained in these products will create ice crystals. These ice crystals will obviously affect the curing process of the material.
Going back to the olden days, lots of construction products contained spirits. Spirits don’t freeze, however are not particularly environmentally friendly. In making products safer and more environmentally friend water is used as to spirits.
What keeps you continually using it?
Koster NB 4000 can work at a lower-temperature, making it one of its kind.
NB 4000 gives contractors ‘extra precautions’ and additional ‘duty of care’ towards their customers. Knowing a product has working capabilities of maintaining quality even in colder temperatures contributes to “best practice” and reducing risk in project failure.
The product is ideal because:
- It is a hybrid product that combines the properties of a polymer modified bitumen thick film sealant and a flexible mineral waterproofing slurry
- Allows for damage free drying and de-salting of masonry
- Cures rapidly even in adverse weather conditions – Application temperature from + 2 °C
- Rainproof after approx. 2 hours (Insulation board installation after approx. 4 hours – Backfilling after approx. 24 hours)
- Crack bridging up to 0.4 mm; suitable for sealing foundation skirting
- Fast curing
- Easy and seamless application
- It can be used for new construction or repair on existing structures
- Paintable and coat able with foundation renders
- UV resistant
- Bitumen-free
To find out more about Delta products, call 01992 523 523 or email: info@deltamembranes.com.
Latest News