Cold Weather, Winter Waterproofing Work Precautions

Winter is extremely cold, so proper product storage is crucial. Especially dry powder products are highly prone to moisture absorption, while liquid components in waterproof materials may freeze and crack at low temperatures. Therefore, ensure products safely pass through winter with the following measures:

1. Store products in a dry, warm, and well-ventilated area. Warehouses must not have standing water or leaks. If possible, install moisture-proof barriers.

2. In particularly cold areas such as underground rooms or basements, consider installing heating systems. For other areas, use insulation materials like felt blankets or straw mats to wrap or isolate products for thermal protection.

Before applying waterproof coatings, in addition to necessary cleaning and repair, carefully inspect for structural defects. Address cracks, holes, seams, and pipe edges around upper and lower water pipes using sealant materials (JinXing Sealant) to fill gaps and level surfaces. Remove any loose debris or protrusions at joints. For areas with many holes, apply waterproof coating evenly and smooth it out. Round off corners and joints into rounded angles.

Application Method: Apply coating in order from top to bottom and left to right. Ensure the coating thickness matches the recommended application rate. Winter work requires thorough application to prevent excessive thickness, which can cause uneven drying and cracking. Also avoid overly thin or uneven application, which may lead to powder formation or bubbling.

When the substrate is too dry or has high evaporation, a moderate amount of water is needed when mixing waterproof coatings. However, in winter, ambient temperatures are very low, and evaporation is minimal. Thus, the required water content differs significantly from summer. To avoid prolonged drying times, reduce the amount of water added slightly, ensuring the surface remains free of standing water. Apply in alternating wet-dry sections for better control.

JinXing sealing materials are fast-setting, high-strength dry powder products highly sensitive to construction environment temperature, humidity, and water content. Therefore, extra attention is required during winter construction.

Due to slower curing time in winter compared to summer, appropriately reduce the amount of mixing water and application frequency to ensure smooth progress. Using warm water can accelerate curing, shorten setting time, and improve early strength.

For newly applied polymer-modified cementitious waterproof coatings like JinXing Polymer Waterproof SlurryDuringconstruction, once the coating has set, begin curing immediately. In winter, clean the surface 1–3 times daily (avoid freezing). Curing should last 1–2 days. After 48 hours, under non-freezing conditions, a 24-hour water retention test can be conducted.

Avoid construction if ambient temperature stays below 5°C for over 48 consecutive hours. If unavoidable, schedule work between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM on sunny days, and use warm (or hot) water to mix materials and speed up application. Within 48 hours after work, avoid freezing conditions to prevent poor curing, cracking, or damage.