Watertightness | EUROLAB

What Is Watertightness?

Water impermeability in building materials is measured by different methods depending on the material type: leakage observation under defined pressure in membranes (EN 1928), pressurized water treatment depth in concrete (EN 12390-8), capillary water absorption and permeability in surface coatings (EN 1062-3), and capillary water absorption coefficient in masonry units.

Purpose of Watertightness

The aim is to show that the building component maintains its impermeability when in contact with water. Water is the most common cause of structure damage and also triggers freezing, corrosion and mold problems.

Which Products Is Watertightness Applied To?

Waterproofing membranes and covers
Waterproofing mortars and coating materials
waterproof concrete
Exterior cladding and paints
Masonry units and joint materials

In Which Sectors Is Watertightness Used?

ConstructionConstructionChemistry

Standards Related to Watertightness

TS EN 1928 (bituminous, plastic and rubber covers — water impermeability)
TS EN 12390-8 (hardened concrete — pressurized water processing depth)
TS EN 1062-3 (paints — liquid water permeability)
TS EN 14891 (liquid applied waterproofing products)
TS EN 772-11 (capillary water absorption in masonry units)

Watertightness Conditions

Pressure and duration: Each standard defines its own combination of pressure and time
Sample age: For cement-based products, the curing period must be completed.
Application thickness: It is applied to the declared thickness in applied products.
Ageing: For some products, it is measured again after thermal, UV or chemical aging.

Equipment for Watertightness

Watertight pressure cells
Concrete water processing test press
Capillary water absorption test tanks
Climate and ageing chambers
Thickness measurement systems

Sample Requirements for Watertightness

Conditioning in building materials directly determines the result: concrete with incomplete curing time, damp wood or insulation material that is not balanced will not show its true performance. Sample age and conditioning conditions are always stated in the report.
Size and number of samples defined in the standard
Application thickness and number of layers must be declared for applied products.
Sample age and mixture information should be given for concrete.
Samples must have completed the curing period

Duration of Watertightness

The membrane water impermeability test lasts for the period defined in the standard. Water treatment in concrete test requires waiting time under defined pressure. If measurement is required after aging, the calendar is noticeably extended.

Watertightness Procedure

1Samples are prepared and curing/conditioning is completed.
2The standard and pressure condition to be applied are determined.
3The sample is tightly connected to the experimental cell.
4Defined pressure is applied for a defined period of time.
5Leakage is observed or the sample is split and the depth of water penetration is measured.
6If necessary, the experiment is repeated after aging.

Watertightness Acceptance Criteria

Relevant product standards define requirements or classification for watertightness; The limit for water penetration depth in concrete is determined in the project specification or the durability conditions in EN 206. Within the scope of (EU) 305/2011, the test result is not a pass/fail decision, but the performance value to be announced in the Declaration of Performance (DoP). The national regulations and project specifications of the country where the structure where the product will be used determine which performance level is sufficient.

Evaluation of Results

Material impermeability does not indicate system impermeability: water almost always enters through details, joints and transitions. Moreover, the results after aging are more informative; Many products that are impermeable when new crack under the influence of UV and heat.

Watertightness Report

Material description and application thickness
Sample age and conditioning
Applied standard, pressure and time
Leak observation or water treatment depth
Results after aging

Accreditation

EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.

Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

Scope and authorisations

Related Regulations

Construction Products Regulation (EU) 305/2011

Construction Materials Testing — What Does This Testing Field Cover?

The section below describes the field that the Watertightness test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

Construction materials testing shows whether a product performs the function it takes on within the structure. A wide field is gathered in this family, from the compressive strength of concrete to the thermal transmittance of glass, from sieve analysis of aggregate to the watertightness of windows.

What sets this family apart from the others is that the result turns directly into a REGULATORY DECLARATION. For products covered by construction products legislation a declaration of performance (DoP) is mandatory, and every essential characteristic in the declaration rests on a test result. Reaction-to-fire class, thermal conductivity, compressive strength, water permeability and release of dangerous substances are declared in this way. The declaration is a legal text carrying the manufacturer's signature; the test record behind it is the first document requested in an inspection.

The second distinguishing feature is that the product is assessed over its SERVICE LIFE. An electronic device runs for five years; a building component stays in place for fifty and is exposed throughout that time to freeze-thaw cycles, UV, moisture, chemical attack and load. Durability tests (freeze-thaw, carbonation, alkali-silica reaction, ageing) therefore carry as much weight in this field as classical strength tests.

Tests are separated by material type and each group has its own set of standards: cement and concrete, aggregate, masonry units, wood-based panels, thermal insulation, glass and glazing units, ceramic tiles, floor coverings, screeds, joint fillers and coating systems. Where the product will be installed determines which set applies — the same panel is assessed against different standards on a wall and on a floor.

Factory production control (FPC) is a continuous component of the field. CE marking on a construction product is not obtained with a single test and then left; the manufacturer must set up a system showing that it monitors production consistency, takes samples regularly and intervenes when there is a deviation. Depending on the product group, this system may have to be audited by a notified body.

Site testing is a separate body of work. In the laboratory the product is approved; on site it is checked that the product really is of the declared class and that it has been applied correctly. Fresh concrete slump, cylinder sampling, aggregate sieve analysis and in-situ watertightness tests fall within this scope.

Method groups in this field

Concrete and cement
Slump, air content and unit weight in fresh concrete; compressive and flexural strength, water permeability and freeze-thaw resistance in hardened concrete. For cement, compressive strength, setting time and composition analysis.
Aggregate
Sieve analysis, particle shape, Los Angeles abrasion resistance, freeze-thaw, alkali reactivity and density/water absorption.
Thermal and energy performance
Thermal conductivity and thermal resistance, calculation of thermal transmittance (U value) in glazing units, solar energy transmittance.
Facade and joinery
Air permeability, watertightness and wind load resistance in windows and doors; fire performance in facade systems.
Fire performance
Reaction-to-fire classification and fire resistance tests; these are two separate concepts and are addressed by separate standards.
Masonry, tile and flooring
Compressive strength, water absorption, abrasion resistance, slip resistance, stain and chemical resistance.
Emissions and dangerous substances
Formaldehyde release from wood-based panels, VOC emissions from construction products, leaching behaviour of aggregates and waste.

Commonly confused in this field

REACTION to fire and RESISTANCE to fire are different concepts: one describes the material's contribution to a fire, the other how long a component holds the fire back.
A declaration of performance is not a certificate; it is the manufacturer's declaration. Notified body involvement varies with the product group and the assessment system.
A test result is valid for the mounting arrangement in which the product was tested. A different substrate, a different thickness or a different joint detail may require reassessment.
A site sample and a laboratory sample are not the same thing. A concrete cylinder taken on site also reflects application and curing conditions; it does not replace product approval.
ASTM and EN construction standards measure similar quantities with different specimens and scales; the results cannot be converted one-to-one.

Which decisions these results support

Declaration of performance (DoP) and CE marking
Establishing and maintaining the factory production control system
On-site conformity control of concrete, aggregate and workmanship
Meeting fire and energy performance requirements
Verifying the technical items in the project and tender specification

Related Tests

Frequently Asked Questions About Watertightness

Can waterproof concrete replace waterproofing?

It won't go away alone. Low permeability concrete reduces water intrusion, but cracks, joints and transition details are still weak points. Waterproofing should be designed as a system.