Aquatech Premium Tanking Slurry  

DESCRIPTION

“Kingfisher Aquatech” is a premium cement-based tanking powder with active hydrophobic ingredients that react
with water and free lime to form pore blocking crystals. Mixed with water and K-X11 it forms a brush applied slurry
which is the main component of our “Aquatech System” incorporating the following:

Companion/ related products:

• Kingfisher K-X11 liquid copolymer admixture
• Kingfisher Barrier Mortar
• Kingfisher Tank Plug
• Kingfisher Anti-Sulphate Solution

Because these products make up an integral system of which Aquatech is the key component, this data sheet offers
over-view guidance on all of them, but you should still refer to the individual product data sheets for detailed
application guidance – published on our website www.kingfisheruk.com.

“Tanking” means creating a waterproof barrier to either keep water out (as in a negative pressure basement) or to
keep water in (as in a positive pressure pool/pond). The action of this product enables it to be used in waterproofing
situations where our standard Tankit product is not suitable i.e., in all underground situations, where there is
hydrostatic pressure of more than 2.5 metres or in water retaining projects. Kingfisher Aquatech is formulated
specifically for underground situations and provides deep seal penetration with permanent protection against fresh
and salt water under pressure. It can withstand up to 70 metres hydrostatic pressure of water.

Product Data Sheet / Product code 46 REV04 17.01.2022

USES

Kingfisher Aquatech is a highly versatile tanking system which can be used for many new-build and renovation
projects (see below). Please be aware however that this list is not exhaustive and if the specific detail of your project
is substantially different, please consult our Technical Department for advice.

• Renovation:-Professional waterproofing of existing basements in the context of a renovation or conversion. The
Aquatech system bonds to the substrate allowing basements to be sealed permanently from the inside without a
need to resort to external excavation
• Extreme water retaining situations: i.e swimming pools, potable (drinking) water tanks, lift shafts, service tunnels,
water treatment plants and irrigation channels. NOTE – Drinking water tanks must be filled with water for24 hours
and then fully drained before being commissioned
• New Build: Basements and partial basements as a primary waterproofing layer for positive tanking of the external
structure before secondary membrane
• Miscellaneous: A wide variety of other below ground scenarios

1)PREPARING WALLS

OLD BRICK/BLOCK OR STONEWORK:

a) Remove skirting boards, timber fixings, cable fixings or steelwork etc, to allow free access to the area to be
treated.
b) Remove all plaster, rendering, paint, limewash, bitumen, felting or other coverings, back to a sound substrate.
This may require sand/grit blasting, needle gunning, wire brushing or power washing to ensure surface is suitably
prepared for application. (Note: - If previous coatings cannot be removed, then the fixing of stainless-steel
Expanded Metal Lath will be required.)
c) Rake out the mortar joints to 13mm minimum and remove all loose material by brushing. Re-point any unstable
masonry using a 3:1 sand cement mix incorporating 5:1 clean water and Kingfisher KX11. (Allow to cure for 24
hours).
d) See render application.

NEW BRICK/BLOCKWORK:

a) Apply two coats of Kingfisher Anti-Sulphate Solution in strict accordance with the relevant data sheet.
b) Damp down the area thoroughly and allow to dry until the wall is not ‘glistening’.
c) Apply a slurry primer coat of 1:1 sharp sand and cement incorporating Kingfisher KX11 mixed 1:1 with clean
water. This coat should be brush applied at no greater than 0.5mm thickness.
d) Within 15 minutes whilst the primer is still tacky, proceed to step 4) Primer & Render Application

PIPES, CABLE CONDUITS & FIXINGS:

If there are pipes or cable conduits protruding through the area to be tanked, these also require preparation. Pipes
more than 30mm diameter should have a small 45-degree recess cut around their perimeter which should be filled
flush with Kingfisher Tank Plug Mortar. Smaller protrusions such as cable conduits can be similarly recessed but
instead fill flush with Kingfisher Parabond 600 sealant. To maintain the integrity of the Tanking we suggest you
limit the number of fixings but where this is unavoidable, half fill the hole with Parabond 600, press the rawl plug
home and then apply a collar of Parabond 600 to the plug before fitting the screw.

RUNNING WATER:

Where there is active water seepage (as opposed to just dampness) through cracks or holes in the masonry
substrate, these should be filled with Kingfisher Tank Plug to arrest the flow of water. Refer to the Tank Plug product
data sheet for guidance and seek advice from our Technical Services Department.

Product Data Sheet / Product code 46 REV04 17.01.2022

2) PREPARING FLOORS

Tanking requires both mechanically stable walls and floors. In full tank situations such as basements, the walls
should be tanked first, then the floor. Floors MUST be concrete, you cannot successfully apply Aquatech to timber
floors, floating floors, tiles, or stone slabs.

EXISTING CONCRETE FLOOR:

a) Clean all loose material from the floor by vacuuming. Check the condition of the concrete carefully to ensure
substrate is strong enough i.e., >20N/mm². Many older basements had poor quality concrete poured into them so
check for level, major cracks, soft spots, and surface delamination. If the concrete is not mechanically sound enough
to support the application of Aquatech it may have to be broken out and a new concrete floor installed.
b) If the floor is tiled, you will need to break the tiles out to examine the concrete floor beneath.
c) Remove all traces of tars, bitumen, adhesives, and other residues either by floor grinder or similar mechanical
means.
d) To accommodate the Kingfisher Barrier Mortar cut a small (25mm x 25mm) angled “V” into the floor at 45
degrees around the perimeter of the basement at the wall/floor junction. Note: You can skip this step if there is
sufficient floor space to form the fillet above the floor, but this will obviously depend on whether you intend to dry
line with a stud frame or plaster directly to the tanking.
Polished concrete or new concrete with laitance will need to be acid etched or scabbled to gain an adequate surface
key.

NEW CONCRETE FLOOR:

If the basement has a simple earthen floor or stone slabs, you will almost certainly need to install a new concrete
floor.

a) Check headroom. Head height is often restricted in basements so measure the floor to ceiling height and subtract
the concrete depth (usually at least 200mm) your architect/engineer recommends. It is sometimes necessary to
excavate the floor of a basement to achieve a liveable headroom – again check with the architect.
b) Lay in a DPM (damp proof membrane e.g., Visqueen) and lap it up the wall past the proposed FFL (finished floor
level).
c) Pour the concrete over the DPM to the desired FFL and leave to cure for at least 14 days.
d) Trim the excess DPM with a contractor’s retractable knife and to accommodate the Kingfisher Barrier Mortar use
an angle grinder cut a “V” joint into the floor at 45 degrees around the perimeter of the basement at the wall/floor
joint. Note: You can skip this step if there is sufficient floor space to form the Barrier Mortar fillet above the floor,
but this will depend on whether you intend to dry line with a stud frame or plaster directly to the tanking.

3) ANTI-SULPHATE SOLUTION (Neutralise Groundwater Salts)

One of the main causes of mortar failure in basements is the passage of highly destructive chlorides and nitrates
which are naturally present in groundwater. These ground salts show up as white marks or “fur” and are highly
corrosive to tanking systems. To control this, apply spray apply two coats of Kingfisher Anti Sulphate Solution in
strict accordance with the relevant data sheet. The first coat should be diluted 1:1 with water and left for several
hours (overnight preferably), the second should be applied “neat”.

4) PRIMER & RENDER APPLICATION (Stabilise Substrate)

The objective of this step is to provide a high-integrity and uniform backing render for the Aquatech to bond to
securely.

a) In a standard builder’s bucket, fill the bucket to roughly a third with equal proportions (50:50) of sharp sand and
cement. A small shovel full of each is usually sufficient.
b) In another container mix approx. one litre of Kingfisher K-X11 with one litre of clean water (50:50) and stir to a
milky white polymer admixture.

Product Data Sheet / Product code 46 REV04 17.01.2022

c) Slowly pour the admixture liquid into the sand / cement and power mix with a standard paddle mixer on your
electric drill until you achieve a stiff “yoghurt” consistency. Keep any excess admixture for the next mix.
d) Apply this simple primer mix with a stiff masonry brush by broad strokes or by spatter-dashing.
e) Within half an hour (whilst primer still “green”) the primer will be bonded but still tacky and you can start applying
your render or plaster as required. Prepare a K-X11 polymer modified render by mixing as follows: 1 part cement
to 4 parts sharp washed sand incorporating 3:1 clean water and Kingfisher K-X11.
f) Apply the render to a thickness of not less than 10mm and sponge or wooden float finish.
g) Allow render to cure overnight prior to AQUATECH application. Do not allow to cure for more than 48 hours.

5) AQUATECH APPLICATION

a) Mix a gauging liquid of 3 parts clean water to 1 part Kingfisher K-X11 in a clean bucket (Usually approx. 6 litres of
gauging liquid per 25 kg bag) and the Aquatech is mixed in ½ bag amounts i.e., 3 litres needed.)
b) Add the powder to the liquid while mixing with a low speed, power driven paddle until a thick batter consistency
is reached. Leave to stand for 10 minutes, then remix and adjust consistency with more liquid if necessary. The
mixture should be stiff enough to support the weight of a fibre application brush.
c) Using the brush, load the Aquatech to it and apply to the pre wetted, prepared surface. Do not brush out as with
paint but spread the mixture, maintaining a flowing edge.
d) The first coat should be applied using vertical strokes and a coverage of 12.5 m² per 25 kg bag should be achieved.
The first coat should be left to set for minimum 4 hours, maximum 36 hours.
e) Apply the second coat using horizontal brush strokes and ensure coverage of 16 m² per 25 kg bag. Allow to cure.
Note: - Do not allow Aquatech to cure too rapidly i.e., in hot conditions mist spray with water or cover with
polythene. Do not use hot air dryers or de-humidifiers in initial stages of curing.
f) When treating wall, extend the treatment 200mm onto the concrete floor. When treating the floor extend the
treatment 100mm up the wall.
g) Floor. Assuming the floor has been prepared as in 2) above, you can apply 2 x coats of Aquatech by following
steps a) to f) but instead of pre-wetting the surface, simply brush apply 2 x primer coats of Kingfisher K-X11 mixed
3:1 with water, allowing 20 to 30 minutes drying time between coats. Always work towards an exit so that foot
traffic is minimised during application. Please note that Aquatech is not trafficable so you must either lay a
sand/cement screed over it or a timber floating floor. The screed is best applied soon after the initial set of the
Aquatech second coat. If the AQUATECH is allowed to dry light grey, then the surface must be dampened and
primed as above prior to laying screed. In all cases the screed must be a minimum of 50mm thick. We do not
recommend tiling directly to Aquatech or laying laminate floors directly onto it.

6) BARRIER MORTAR (Seal wall/floor junction)

Form a 45˚ angle fillet into the channel of the wall/floor joint and at the vertical wall/wall joints, using Kingfisher Barrier Mortar. NOTE: - If the wall/floor joint has any water seepage, the channel must be filled to flush with
Kingfisher Tank Plug prior to rendering

7) PLASTERING & DRY LINING

There are various options for finishing tanking including:

Over Plastering

To gain a key onto the Aquatech, a primer coat can be used as described in 4). The next coat must be applied to
wet and tacky primer. Alternatively, a spatter dash of 1:1 sharp sand and cement mixed to a yoghurt consistency
with 1:1 K-X11 and qater can be used onto the ‘green’ AQUATECH then allowed to cure. If the Aquatech is allowed
to cure light grey, then the K-X11 and sand/cement primer must be used. Only cement and lime based renovating
plasters can be used onto the Tanking system (i.e., Kingfisher Drywall Plaster). Gypsum based backing plasters are
not suitable. Kingfisher Drywall Plaster will gain a warmer surface for the tanked wall and will not show
condensation as droplets on the surface.

Product Data Sheet / Product code 46 REV04 17.01.2022

Thermal Boarding

The best method of providing a decorative surface is to fit a thermal laminated plasterboard system (i.e., Gyproc
Thermalboard Super). This can be ‘dot and dab’ fixed using Gyproc adhesive direct to the Aquatech surface and
will provide an insulated surface with a vapour barrier included. This will provide the best surface to ensure that
no condensation occurs, either surface or interstitial. The plasterboard is tapered edge and can be dry lined,
finished or skimmed.

IMPORTANT! Do not use standard plasterboard as the adhesive “dabs” conduct cold spots onto the board resulting
in damp spots from condensation.

Dry Lining

This method involves constructing a standard timber or metal stud frame. However, the frame should be
mechanically fixed to the floor and ceiling but not to the wall you have just tanked. The advantage of this is that it
allows space for at least 80mm of insulation and to hide any electric cabling or pipe runs. The disadvantage is the
loss of some floor space as you need to leave a 30mm air gap as well as the thickness of the frame.

CAUTIONARY NOTES

Kingfisher Aquatech spatter coats and screed must be applied shortly after the initial set of the previous coats.
Failure to do this will necessitate the use of the primer.
Protect all coats from frost or accelerate drying. DO NOT apply if frost is expected or if the air temperature is less
than 5˚C.
Wash tools thoroughly between applied coats.
Be careful not to pierce the new tanking with nails, screws, or other fixings. Everyone working on the project,
especially joiners need to be aware that skirting boards for example must be glued in place not nailed.
Where work is unable to be completed in one day, ensure joints are provided well clear of any corners. If the first
coat is allowed to dry out too long, i.e., >36 hours, then the primer coat needs to be applied prior to the second
Aquatech coat. (Second coat Aquatech applied to wet primer).
Decorate using Matt Emulsion or Stone Paint. DO NOT use impermeable decorative systems.
If primer coat is allowed to dry by mistake, reapply the primer. DO NOT apply the next coat as it will not adhere to
dry primer.
Formation of water droplets on the surface of the Aquatech during the curing period is normal. This is caused by
condensation forming on the cold surface. Provide a dry heat source or better ventilation to alleviate this problem.
Basement tanking contracts will normally include provision of adequate ventilation. This must be pointed out in
the initial survey. The damp problem may be a combination of lateral water penetration and condensation.
Installation of a tanking membrane cures the lateral water penetration but not the condensation.

PACKAGING

Kingfisher Aquatech is supplied in 25 Kg white plastic tubs.

STORAGE

Store in an upright position, under cover and away from high temperatures and open flames between 5°C – 30°C.

SHELF LIFE

6 months from date of manufacturer, when unopened, undamaged, and stored correctly.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Kingfisher Aquatech is classified as an irritant and eye protection; protective gloves and overalls should be worn
when handling. Avoid breathing dust particles. You must read the Material Safety Data Sheet before use.
Before using this product read the Material Safety Data Sheet which can be obtained at www.kingfisheruk.com or
by calling the Kingfisher Technical Dept. Tel: 01229 869 100.
The information given in this product data sheet is given in good faith, based on current knowledge and experience.
It relates only to the specific material designated and may not be valid for such material used in combination with
any other materials or in any process. Such information is to the best of the company’s knowledge and belief,
accurate as of the date indicated.
All recommendations are made without warranty or guarantee, as to accuracy, reliability, completeness since the
conditions of use are beyond our control. It is the user’s responsibility to satisfy themselves as to the suitability and
application of such information for their own use