Acrylic Waterproofing
A flexible, elastomeric acrylic-polymer coating system delivering seamless, breathable waterproof protection across roofs, walls, podiums, and wet areas applied cold, with zero flame risk and minimal disruption to occupied structures.
What Is Acrylic Waterproofing?
Acrylic waterproofing is a water-based, elastomeric polymer coating applied in multiple coats to form a seamless, flexible membrane over any prepared substrate. The cured film bridges hairline cracks and accommodates structural movement without delamination or splitting — a critical performance characteristic in concrete structures subject to thermal cycling in the GCC climate.
The system is cold-applied by brush, roller, or airless spray — eliminating the hazards associated with torch-applied or hot-pour systems. Its water-based formulation allows application in occupied or semi-enclosed spaces with no requirement for flame permits or forced ventilation, making it the preferred solution for occupied buildings and sensitive environments.
Properly applied, an acrylic waterproofing system provides a continuous, pinhole-free elastomeric barrier that is simultaneously waterproof and vapour-permeable — allowing moisture vapour from the substrate to escape while blocking liquid water ingress. This breathability prevents blistering and delamination, two of the most common failure modes in non-breathable membrane systems applied to green or damp concrete.
Where Acrylic Waterproofing Is Applied
- Exposed flat and pitched roofs on residential and commercial buildings
- Concrete and masonry external walls — both above and below grade
- Podium decks, terraces, and balconies with or without overburden
- Wet areas: bathrooms, plant rooms, utility rooms, and kitchen slabs
- Swimming pool surrounds and planter boxes (non-immersion zones)
- Parapet walls, expansion joints, and pipe penetrations
- Secondary containment berms and chemical storage areas (selected grades)
- Rehabilitation of aged bituminous or paint-coated surfaces in poor condition
Compatible Substrate Materials
Acrylic waterproofing can be successfully applied to a wide range of construction substrates, provided they are structurally sound, clean, dry, and properly primed:
| Concrete & Masonry | New and aged concrete, block, and brick — with appropriate primer |
| Fibre-Cement Board | Sheeted substrates in light-gauge construction and cladding systems |
| Metal Decks | Galvanised steel and aluminium roofing with etching primer pre-treatment |
| GRC Panels | Glass-Fibre Reinforced Concrete architectural panels and wall elements |
| Existing Bituminous | Sound existing bituminous coatings, felt, and modified bitumen membranes |
| Painted Surfaces | Previously painted surfaces that pass a pull-off adhesion test ≥ 1.0 MPa |
Step-by-Step Installation Process
Substrate Inspection & Repair
All cracks wider than 0.3 mm routed and filled with polyurethane sealant. Spalled concrete patched with polymer-modified mortar and allowed to fully cure before coating commences.
Surface Preparation
Mechanical scarification or high-pressure water jetting to achieve a clean, open-pore substrate. Surface dried to ≤ 4% moisture content (measured by electronic hygrometer) before application.
Primer Coat Application
Diluted acrylic primer applied by brush into all pores, promoting adhesion and sealing dust. Allow to tack before proceeding — typically 1–2 hours at 35 °C ambient.
Reinforcement at Critical Junctions
Polyester fleece or fibreglass mesh fabric embedded in first acrylic coat at all upstands, drains, corners, pipe collars, and construction joints to prevent stress cracking.
Body Coats (First & Second)
Two full body coats applied at 0.3–0.5 kg/m² per coat, perpendicular to each other, achieving a minimum dry film thickness of 1.0 mm per coat. Full cure between coats.
Flood Test & Handover
Completed membrane flooded to 50 mm depth for 24 hours. Defects repaired, re-tested, and documented prior to client sign-off and warranty certificate issuance.
Product Specification
| Binder | Pure acrylic polymer dispersion, 100% waterborne |
| Elongation at Break | ≥ 500% (ASTM D412) |
| Tensile Strength | ≥ 1.2 MPa (BS EN ISO 527) |
| Crack Bridging Ability | ≥ 2.0 mm @ –10 °C (BS EN 1062-7) |
| Water Permeability | w = 0.0 kg/(m²·h⁰·⁵) — Class W0 (EN 1062) |
| CO₂ Permeability | Equivalent air layer thickness Sd ≥ 50 m |
| UV Resistance | 2,000 hours QUV (ASTM G154) — no chalking, no cracking |
| Application Temperature | +5 °C to +45 °C (substrate and ambient) |
| Touch Dry Time | 1–2 hours at 35 °C |
| Foot Traffic | 6–8 hours at 35 °C |
| Full Cure | 7 days at 23 °C / 50% RH |
| VOC Content | < 30 g/L — low-VOC indoor-safe grade available |
| Applicable Standards | ASTM D7234, EN 1062, DIN 18195 |
| Colours Available | White, Light Grey, Terracotta, Custom (minimum quantities apply) |
| Warranty | 5-year workmanship standard / 10-year extended option available |
Why Choose Acrylic Waterproofing?
Seamless & Crack-Bridging
No joints or laps to fail. The cured elastomeric film spans cracks up to 2 mm and accommodates ongoing structural movement without splitting or delamination.
Cold-Applied — No Flame Risk
Water-based system applied at ambient temperature. No hot works permits, no naked flame — ideal for occupied buildings and sensitive environments.
Breathable Membrane
Permits water vapour transmission while blocking liquid ingress — preventing blistering caused by trapped substrate moisture vapour.
UV & Thermal Stability
Acrylic-polymer chemistry delivers excellent UV resistance and colour stability under prolonged direct sun exposure in the UAE climate.
Rapid Return to Service
Touch-dry in 1–2 hours and foot-traffickable in 6–8 hours at 35 °C — significantly less downtime than cementitious or epoxy systems.
Wide Substrate Compatibility
Adheres to concrete, masonry, fibre-cement, metal, GRC, and existing coatings with appropriate priming — no single-substrate limitation.
ESA
Request a Waterproofing Assessment
Tell us your substrate, area, and service conditions — we will specify the correct system and provide a detailed scope of works.