The Vision Behind HydroBloc Integral 575

The Vision Behind HydroBloc® Integral 575

It began with an idea. Today, we know it marked the beginning of a milestone – and a true gamechanger in injection technology.

Major developments do not always begin with a spectacular invention. Sometimes, they begin with a simple question: How can we make everyday work on the construction site easier, safer and more reliable?

That was the question behind Integral. We did not want to develop just another injection resin. We wanted to create a material that would reduce typical sources of error, simplify workflows and give applicators greater confidence – even under difficult site conditions.

When Theory Meets Construction-Site Reality

On paper, multi-component injection systems often appear straightforward: prepare the components, dose them precisely, mix thoroughly and apply the material within the specified working time. But a construction site is not a laboratory.

In practice, there is time pressure, noise, dirt, moisture and changing temperatures. Several operations take place at the same time, water enters the structure and decisions have to be made quickly. Under these conditions, even a small oversight can have serious consequences.

How quickly can a component be dosed incorrectly? How easily can the B component or accelerator be forgotten? What happens if the mixing ratio is not exact, or if the mixed material reacts faster than expected?

Such errors are not necessarily caused by a lack of experience. They occur because complex systems create additional risks under demanding conditions. Our conviction was therefore clear: If errors can be eliminated through the material concept itself, they should not be possible in the first place.

The Birth of Integral

This conviction led to the vision of an injection resin that already contains everything required for a reliable reaction. No second resin component that has to be added in the correct ratio on site. No additional accelerator that can be forgotten or dosed incorrectly. No unnecessary mixing process that costs time and introduces new sources of error.

Integral means integrated – everything in one.

The goal was a ready-to-use injection resin that could be applied directly and adapt its reaction to the actual moisture present within the structure. A material that would not only deliver outstanding technical performance, but also address what applicators genuinely need on site: simplicity, safety and reliability.

That was the birth of Integral Technology.

The First Integral: HydroBloc® Integral 575

The first product to turn this vision into reality was HydroBloc® Integral 575: a ready-to-use, one-component, hydrophilic polyurethane injection resin that reacts with moisture without creating an unwanted foam structure.

Integral 575 cures to form a homogeneous, elastic mass. It combines simple application with a level of technical performance that extends far beyond the original objective.

About 20 years ago, even we could not fully foresee the material’s potential. The original vision was to make injection work simpler and less prone to error. Over time, however, it became clear that Integral 575 could do more than simplify workflows. It could change the way we think about injection resins and permanent waterproofing.

A Material That Adapts to the Situation

Moisture is rarely distributed evenly within a structure. One area may be carrying active water, while only a few centimetres away there may be very little moisture. Integral 575 responds to these differences: it reacts faster in strong contact with water and more slowly where less moisture is present.

This adaptability creates a decisive advantage. Where water must be stopped quickly, the reaction accelerates. Where the low-viscosity resin needs more time to spread, it remains fluid for longer. Because moisture is present within the structure, a reliable reaction is assured.

The material does not simply impose a rigid reaction profile on the construction site. It responds to the conditions it actually encounters.

DPI: Waterproofing Along the Entire Water Path

Waterproofing is only permanent if more than the visible point of water discharge is sealed. The decisive factor is to capture the water path as completely as possible.

Thanks to its moisture-dependent reaction behaviour, Integral 575 can penetrate deep into cracks and voids under suitable conditions. We call this principle DPI – Deep Penetrating Injection. The objective is continuous waterproofing from the point of injection to the point of water ingress.

This approach does more than treat the visible symptom. The path taken by the water itself becomes part of the waterproofing concept.

Adaptive Swelling: Protection That Continues After Curing

Concrete structures move. Temperature fluctuations, settlement and load changes can cause even a successfully injected crack to change slightly over time and reopen a path for water.

Integral 575 remains elastic after curing and can increase its volume by up to 120% when it comes into renewed contact with water. This swelling process is reversible: as the moisture decreases, the swelling also subsides. If the material comes into contact with water again at a later stage, it can swell again.

This is not a one-time foaming effect during the reaction. It is a recurring, adaptive material property. The cured resin retains its ability to respond to changing moisture conditions. Because the material itself contains no water, it does not shrink below its original cured volume when it dries.

Greater Efficiency – Far Beyond Application

The original idea of preventing errors led to benefits that now shape the entire workflow.

No mixing errors: As a ready-to-use one-component resin, Integral 575 requires no mixing ratio between A and B components.
Simpler workflows: Fewer preparation steps allow work to begin faster and in a more organised manner.
Less material waste: Remaining material does not necessarily have to be used immediately, unlike an already mixed multi-component system.
Reduced stockholding: One versatile product can replace several different resins in many standard applications.
Greater flexibility: Integral 575 is suitable for applications including cracks, construction joints, honeycombs, injection hoses and direct water stopping.

A technical idea thus became an economical solution as well: fewer products, less complexity and greater confidence in everyday use.

An Idea Became a Milestone

Today, around two decades later, HydroBloc® Integral 575 represents far more than a single product. It represents a philosophy: technology does not have to become more complicated in order to become better. True innovation emerges where performance and ease of use come together.

What began with the desire to eliminate dosing and mixing errors evolved into a technology with adaptive reaction behaviour, Deep Penetrating Injection, reversible swelling and an exceptionally broad range of applications.

It began with an idea. Today, we know that Integral 575 was a milestone – and a gamechanger in injection technology.

And perhaps that is the most important lesson in this story: the best innovations do not arise from the desire to develop a product. They arise from the desire to solve a real problem.

Triumph des Integral 575 Läufers Title

Discover Integral Technology

Would you like to know whether HydroBloc® Integral 575 is suitable for your waterproofing application? ARCAN can support you with the technical assessment and selection of the appropriate injection system.

Further information: www.arcan.biz | office@arcan.biz

Adaptive Swelling in Injection Resins – Durable Waterproofing with HydroBloc Integral 575

Waterproofing Means More Than Simply Filling a Crack

A successful crack injection is often judged by whether water ingress stops immediately after the work has been completed. However, structural waterproofing must not only work at the moment of injection. It must continue to perform even if conditions within the building component change at a later stage.

Concrete structures are never completely static. Temperature fluctuations, changes in load, shrinkage, settlement or vibrations can cause cracks and joints to move slightly. At the same time, water exposure can change: a crack may be dry today but carry water again during heavy rainfall or when the groundwater level rises.

This is precisely where adaptive swelling comes into play. An adaptively swellable injection resin does not remain passive after curing. If it comes into contact with water again, it increases its volume in a controlled manner and can thereby reseal newly formed, small water paths.

This is neither a magical effect nor unlimited “self-healing”. It is the result of purposefully engineered material chemistry.

What Is Adaptive Swelling?

“Adaptive” means that a material can respond to changing environmental conditions. In an adaptively swellable injection resin, water is the triggering factor.

The process can be simplified into four steps:

The liquid resin is injected into a crack, joint or void.
It reacts and forms a homogeneous, elastic injection body.
If the fully cured material comes into contact with water again at a later stage, its volume increases in a controlled manner.
When the moisture level decreases again, the swelling recedes towards the original cured volume.

This process is reversible and repeatable. When exposed to water again, the material can swell again. It therefore does not react only once during curing but remains water-active throughout its service life.

Why Is This Property So Important for Structural Waterproofing?

A conventional rigid injection resin may initially fill a crack completely. However, if the structural component subsequently moves, new, fine separations may form between the resin and the crack faces. Renewed cracking can also occur within an injection body that is too rigid.

Elastic resins can accommodate movement more effectively. Their elongation capacity, however, is not unlimited. If the crack cross-section changes or a small new water path forms, elasticity alone may not always be sufficient to restore or maintain a watertight seal permanently.

Adaptive swelling complements elasticity with an active response: if water penetrates a newly formed imperfection, it activates the material’s swelling capacity. The injection body locally increases in volume and exerts controlled contact pressure against the surrounding surfaces. This can reseal small water-bearing paths.

The material therefore reacts exactly where water is present—and exactly when this response is needed.

Swelling Is Not Foaming

The terms “swelling” and “foaming” are frequently confused in practice. Technically, however, they describe two fundamentally different processes.

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Foaming

During foaming, gas is generated as part of the chemical reaction. This gas forms cells and pores within the material. The volume increases considerably, while a more or less open- or closed-cell foam structure develops.

PU foams are particularly valuable for stopping water quickly. Their expansion, however, occurs primarily during the reaction and curing process. Once the foam has fully cured, this initial expansion process cannot be repeated.

Swelling

Swelling does not generate gas or create a foam structure. Upon contact with water, the already cured material increases its volume in a controlled manner. It remains homogeneous and non-porous throughout the process.

This distinction is relevant to durability:

Foam has a cellular structure.
A swellable injection body remains homogeneous.
Foaming is primarily a process that occurs during the reaction.
Adaptive swelling is reactivated by subsequent contact with water.
The swelling process is reversible and repeatable.

We offer several adaptively swellable injection resins. Here, we explain the effect using the one-component resin HydroBloc® Integral 575 as an example.

HydroBloc® Integral 575 does not foam upon contact with water. Once cured, it forms an elastic, homogeneous and non-porous resin body that can swell in a controlled manner when it comes into contact with water again.

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Up to 120% Swelling After Curing

HydroBloc® Integral 575 can increase in volume by up to 120% after 72 hours of contact with water. The timing is crucial: swelling occurs in the material only after it has fully cured.

This effect can be clearly demonstrated in comparative tests. Two identical, cured samples initially have the same volume. One sample is then exposed to water, while the other remains unchanged as a reference. After 72 hours, the water-exposed sample shows a significant increase in volume without forming a porous foam structure.

The figure “up to 120%” does not describe uncontrolled expansion. The swelling that can actually be achieved depends, among other factors, on water availability, temperature, the geometry of the injection space and the surrounding resistance. Within the structural component, the crack faces limit free volume expansion. This enables the material to develop controlled contact pressure within the area being sealed.

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Reversible—but Never Smaller Than the Original Volume

When water exposure decreases, the swelling also subsides. The material returns towards its original cured volume. This process is reversible: when it comes into contact with water again, the resin can swell again.

One important point must be noted: the cured resin itself contains no water. The additional swelling triggered by contact with water can subside during drying, but the material does not shrink below its original cured volume. This is the essential difference compared with gels: gels contain water and can shrink below their initial level under dry conditions. For this reason, gels are not recommended for joints or cracks that are not permanently moist.

In simple terms:

The starting point is the fully cured injection body.
Contact with water activates the additional increase in volume.
During drying, the material returns towards its original volume.
It does not fall below its original cured volume.
When contact with water occurs again, the swelling process begins again.

This repeatability distinguishes adaptively swellable resins from materials whose expansion occurs exclusively during a single chemical reaction.

The Self-Healing Effect—a Helpful Term That Requires Explanation

Adaptive swelling is often referred to as a “self-healing effect”. The term illustrates how the process works, but it should be interpreted correctly from a technical perspective.

The self-healing effect relates exclusively to the waterproofing function: if minor movements create new water-bearing paths, the ingress of water can reactivate the swelling process. The material increases its volume, thereby helping to reseal these fine paths.

A more precise term would therefore be a “water-activated, reversible resealing effect”.

Conclusion: Waterproofing That Can Respond to Water

Adaptive swelling adds an active, water-dependent function to conventional elastic crack sealing. The cured resin remains homogeneous and non-porous. When it comes into contact with water again, its volume increases in a controlled manner, enabling it to reseal small, newly formed water paths.

The swelling process is reversible and repeatable. During drying, the material returns towards its original cured volume without falling below it. The waterproofing system therefore responds not only during application but also to changing moisture conditions within the structure at a later stage.

HydroBloc® Integral 575 combines this adaptive swelling effect with a non-foaming, elastic, one-component PU injection resin. This makes it a versatile solution for cracks, construction joints, honeycombs, injection hoses and many other common waterproofing tasks.

Adaptive Swelling Explained in Our Video

Our video explains what adaptive swelling means and why adaptive, swellable resins represent an important advance in reliable structural waterproofing:

Why These Resins Are Essential for Reliable Waterproofing—Watch the Video

Would You Like to Know Whether an Adaptively Swellable Resin Is Suitable for Your Project?

ARCAN can support you in assessing the cause of the damage, selecting the appropriate injection material and developing a project-specific waterproofing concept. Send us information about the structural component, the type of leakage, the existing water exposure and any potential movement.

Together, we will develop a technically appropriate and permanently effective solution.

Further information: www.arcan.biz

HydroBloc integral 575 Waterproofing

HydroBloc Inject 583 – the better solution for reinjectable injection hoses

Reinjectable injection hoses provide a high level of reliability – provided that reinjection works dependably. The fundamental requirement is that the hose can be thoroughly flushed and completely emptied after the first injection. HydroBloc® Inject 583 was developed precisely for this demanding task.

Why injection hoses should be reinjectable

Injection hoses are used for the planned waterproofing of construction joints in concrete structures. After the concrete has been placed, a suitable injection material can be introduced directly into the joint through the hose. It fills voids, defects and water paths, reliably sealing the construction joint.

However, structures do not remain completely rigid. Temperature changes, shrinkage, settlement or other movements can subsequently alter the joint cross-section. If the hose is flushed clear after the first injection, it can be used again when required – without additional drilling or extensive intervention in the structure.

Reinjectability is therefore more than an additional technical feature. It provides a safety reserve throughout the entire service life of the structure.

The challenge lies in the injection material

To allow an injection hose to be reinjected, the uncured material must be completely removed from the hose channel immediately after injection. The injection channel and discharge openings must remain clear.

Acrylate gels are frequently used for this purpose. Their low viscosity and water-based formulation allow the hose to be cleaned effectively. The decisive disadvantage, however, may only become apparent later: conventional gels contain a high proportion of bound water. During prolonged dry periods, they may lose water and decrease in volume. The resulting voids can become new water paths.

Selecting a material solely on the basis of whether it can be flushed from the hose therefore does not go far enough. It must also deliver lasting performance after curing.

Injectable like a gel. Durable like an injection resin. HydroBloc® Inject 583 combines reliable reinjectability with lasting elasticity and dimensional stability.

HydroBloc Inject 583 is not a gel

HydroBloc® Inject 583 is a low-viscosity, hydrophilic acrylic hybrid injection resin. Before reaction, its two components are fully miscible with water. Fresh material residues can therefore be removed from equipment and the injection hose using water.

After reaction, however, it does not form a conventional water-rich gel, but an elastic, tough resin body. This remains in the joint as a dimensionally stable seal. Its basic structure does not depend on retaining large quantities of water in order to preserve its original volume.

When exposed to water again, the cured material also has a swelling capacity of approximately 70%. This enables it to compensate for changes in cracks and joints and actively support the sealing effect – even long after the original injection.

Consistently low viscosity until the end of the reaction

A particular advantage of acrylic-based injection resins lies in their reaction profile. PU and epoxy resins progressively increase in viscosity during the reaction. As a result, their flow and penetration characteristics already begin to deteriorate during the working time.

HydroBloc® Inject 583 behaves differently: its viscosity remains low until shortly before the end of the reaction. From the beginning of the injection until the end of the available reaction time, the resin can therefore continue to penetrate fine cracks, capillaries and branched voids effectively. Almost the entire set reaction time is thus available as effective penetration time.

Requirement	Conventional acrylate gel	HydroBloc® Inject 583
Hose can be flushed clear	Yes	Yes; the fresh resin is fully miscible with water
Behaviour during dry periods	May lose volume through water loss	Dimensionally stable resin body; no gel-type drying shrinkage
Behaviour upon contact with water	Water absorption depends on the gel system	Controlled swelling; approximately 70% increase in volume
Properties after reaction	Soft gel structure	Elastic, tough acrylic hybrid resin body

Inject, flush and reuse

After injection, HydroBloc® Inject 583 is extracted from the hose channel within its working time using a vacuum process. At the same time, water is drawn through the hose until the discharged rinsing water runs clear. The vacuum is crucial: it prevents rinsing water from being forced under pressure into the joint, where it could dilute or displace the injected resin.

The resin remains where it is needed – inside the construction joint. The hose channel remains clear and can be reinjected following subsequent joint movement or renewed leakage.

Tested reliability with variable joint widths

The system was tested using a repeatedly injected injection hose installed in a concrete test specimen with an adjustable joint gap. Following the first injection, the hose was flushed clear. Once the resin had cured, the joint width was altered and the hose was injected a second time. The two injection stages were coloured differently to distinguish them visually.

This provided a practical demonstration of the decisive principle: a previously injected construction joint can be resealed through the same hose after a change in the joint cross-section. According to the technical data sheet, watertightness against a water column of up to 30 metres was documented.

Technical advantages at a glance

Low viscosity: 85–100 mPa·s for excellent penetration
Simple application: two components mixed 1:1 by volume
Water-miscible: fresh material and equipment can be cleaned with water
No foam: no unwanted side reaction upon contact with water
Consistently low viscosity: excellent flow and penetration until shortly before the end of the reaction
Elastic and dimensionally stable: no gel-type drying shrinkage within the structure
Swellable: approximately 70% increase in volume during water immersion
Adjustable reaction: approximately 50–60 minutes as standard at 20°C; can be accelerated when required
Low temperatures: can also be applied below the 8°C threshold that is critical for many PU resins; with suitable activation, application is possible down to −10°C according to the product documentation

Not only for injection hoses

HydroBloc® Inject 583 was not developed solely for reinjectable injection hoses. Its low viscosity and excellent flow characteristics make it a versatile injection resin for wet, damp and dry structural components. It is suitable for sealing cracks, construction joints, gravel pockets and other water-bearing voids.

Because it is an acrylic-based injection resin, contact with water causes no unwanted side reactions and no foaming. Instead of forming a porous foam structure, Inject 583 produces a homogeneous, elastic resin body after reaction. This is a decisive advantage, particularly in wet cracks and water-bearing defects.

Cleaning on site is also straightforward: machines, pumps, hoses and tools are cleaned with water after application. No solvents are required. This simplifies site procedures and reduces the need to handle solvent-based cleaners.

Another advantage becomes apparent at low substrate temperatures. HydroBloc® Inject 583 can also be used below 8°C. As temperatures fall, PU and epoxy resins initially react more slowly; if their respective minimum application temperature is not maintained, the chemical reaction may come to a complete standstill. By contrast, Inject 583 can be adapted to low temperatures using suitable activation and, according to the product documentation, can be applied at temperatures as low as −10°C.

Contact with reinforcing steel offers an additional advantage. In an investigation conducted by MFPA Leipzig, fully bonded resin caused no steel corrosion with property-reducing effects during the four-week test period. This finding is particularly relevant because injection material in cracks and joints may come into direct contact with exposed reinforcement.

Conclusion: reinjectability without compromising durability

A reinjectable injection hose can only be as reliable as the injection material used. A gel that is easy to flush may solve the question of reusability, but it can lose volume during prolonged dry periods.

HydroBloc® Inject 583 goes a decisive step further: the fresh resin is water-miscible and can be removed from the hose using a vacuum process. Within the structure, however, it forms an elastic, dimensionally stable and swellable resin body. This preserves both the option of future reinjection and the long-term sealing performance.

One solution for many demanding injection applications

HydroBloc® Inject 583 – injectable like a gel, durable like an injection resin.

Are you planning a waterproofing project using reinjectable injection hoses, or do you need assistance selecting the appropriate injection material? ARCAN can support you with technical design and application.

Application must be carried out in accordance with the current technical data sheet, application instructions and safety data sheet. Flushing must be performed immediately after injection and within the material’s working time.

HydroBloc Inject 583

HydroBloc Integral 575 – 1C Non-Foaming PU Injection Resin

Why Choosing the Right Injection Resin Matters

Cracks in concrete, leaking construction joints, water-bearing honeycombs or injection hoses that need to be injected: water ingress can have many different causes. The range of available injection materials is correspondingly broad. In practice, this often raises one crucial question: which resin is right for the job?

Understandably, many applicators rely on the product they already know. While this may initially provide a sense of security, it is not always the best technical or economical solution. A resin that reacts too quickly limits penetration depth, as does a resin that exhibits side reactions such as foaming upon contact with water. Foam resins stop water temporarily, but their porous structure means that they do not provide a permanently watertight seal. Even an elastic resin can accommodate movement only within the limits of its specific properties.

HydroBloc® Integral 575 was developed as a versatile injection resin for the majority of typical waterproofing tasks. It combines simple application with moisture-adaptive reaction behaviour and a permanently elastic, swellable structure. As a result, one product can be used for up to 80% of common waterproofing applications.

What Is HydroBloc® Integral 575?

HydroBloc® Integral 575 is a ready-to-use, one-component, hydrophilic polyurethane injection resin. It reacts with moisture but does not form a foam. Instead of producing a porous foam structure, it cures to form a homogeneous, elastic and non-porous material.

The resin is particularly suitable for:

crack injection
construction joints
honeycombs and voids
injection hoses
stopping water ingress

Its key strength does not lie in one single property, but in the interaction of several functions. HydroBloc® Integral 575 adapts its reaction to the available moisture, penetrates deeply into cracks and voids under suitable conditions, and can respond to water again after curing. This is the principle of DPI – Deep Penetrating Injection – which seals the entire path from the point of injection to the point of water ingress.

Hydrophilic – but Non-Foaming

Water-reactive polyurethane resins are often automatically associated with PU foam. HydroBloc® Integral 575 works differently. Although the resin is hydrophilic and therefore has a strong affinity for water, it does not foam during the reaction.

This distinction is crucial to the quality of the waterproofing result. Foams consist of numerous cells and pores. They are especially useful for rapidly stopping water, but they do not provide the same homogeneous structure as a compact injection material in every application.

After reacting, Integral 575 forms a uniform, elastic mass. Voids are not merely filled with foam; they are sealed with a homogeneous material. This provides a compact and durable waterproofing solution.

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Adaptive Reaction Behaviour: A Resin That Responds to Site Conditions

Moisture is rarely distributed evenly throughout a structure. One section of a crack may be carrying running water, while another section only a few centimetres away is merely damp. Conventional resins often react at almost the same speed under both conditions.

HydroBloc® Integral 575, however, has an adaptive reaction profile:

In contact with larger amounts of water, the resin reacts more quickly.
Where less moisture is present, it reacts more slowly.

As moisture is always present within the structure, reliable reaction of the resin is guaranteed.

The reaction therefore adapts to the actual conditions within the structure. This is particularly beneficial in components with uneven moisture distribution: where more water is present, the resin reacts more quickly; where less moisture is present, it reacts more slowly.

Reversible Swelling of up to 120%: Waterproofing That Can Adapt

Concrete structures are not completely static systems. Temperature fluctuations, settlement, load changes and other influences can cause minor movement. Even a successfully injected crack may therefore change slightly over time and lead to renewed leakage.

After curing, HydroBloc® Integral 575 remains elastic and can increase its volume by up to 120% when it comes into renewed contact with water. This swelling process is reversible: when the moisture level decreases, the material contracts again. If water returns at a later stage, the resin can react and swell again.

This property helps the waterproofing system respond to minor subsequent changes in the crack or void structure. The resin therefore does more than react during the initial injection; it retains an adaptive function after curing.

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Typical Applications for HydroBloc® Integral 575

Crack Injection

Cracks can form pathways for water through concrete structures and may eventually affect the reinforcement and the serviceability of the structure. Integral 575 spreads throughout the crack, reacts with the available moisture and cures to form an elastic, homogeneous injection body.

Sealing Construction Joints

Construction joints are among the typical weak points in water-exposed concrete structures. Defects or inadequately sealed areas can be treated by targeted injection. The adaptive reaction behaviour is particularly useful because moisture may be distributed unevenly within the joint.

Injecting Honeycombs

Honeycombs occur when concrete is not fully compacted during placement or when its components segregate. Voids remain between the coarse aggregates and can allow water to penetrate the structure. HydroBloc® Integral 575 can spread through these voids and seal them permanently and elastically without forming a disruptive foam structure that could lead to renewed leakage over time.

Injection of Injection Hoses

Integral 575 is also suitable for injecting compatible injection hose systems. The one-component resin simplifies application because two components do not need to be mixed in the correct ratio on site. The fact that Integral 575 does not produce unwanted side reactions such as foaming makes it an ideal material for injecting injection hoses.

Stopping Water without Foam

Where water is entering the structure, the available moisture accelerates the reaction. Integral 575 can therefore also be used to stop water directly, without forming the porous structure typical of conventional PU foams. The second injection with a compact material normally recommended after a foam injection is not necessary when Integral 575 is used, because the cured material is already homogeneous.

One-Component and Ready to Use

In addition to its technical properties, practical handling is an important consideration. HydroBloc® Integral 575 is supplied as a ready-to-use, one-component resin. This eliminates the risk of errors when mixing A and B components. Remaining material can also be managed more efficiently because it does not necessarily have to be used immediately.

For applicators and specialist contractors, this offers several advantages:

fewer products for different standard applications
simpler stock management and site logistics
no two-component mixing ratio
no possibility of mixing errors
flexible use under changing moisture conditions

However, a versatile resin does not replace a professional assessment. The type and width of the crack, water flow, component temperature, accessibility and objective of the injection must be evaluated before every application.

What Are the Application Limits?

“For 80% of waterproofing applications” does not mean that one resin can solve every problem. Special applications still require systems specifically designed for their purpose.

HydroBloc® Integral 575 is not the preferred solution for applications such as:

expansion and movement joints subject to substantial designed movement
curtain injection behind the structure
horizontal barriers against rising damp

Other injection materials and methods are available for these applications, including fast-reacting injection rubber, acrylate gels and dedicated horizontal damp-proofing systems. The correct product selection must always be based on the cause of the water ingress and the physical conditions of the structure.

Conclusion: Versatility Backed by Technical Performance

HydroBloc® Integral 575 covers a large proportion of everyday structural waterproofing tasks with a single product. The hydrophilic, non-foaming, one-component PU resin combines adaptive reaction behaviour with a homogeneous, permanently elastic structure and reversible swelling of up to 120%.

For specialist contractors, this means fewer product changes, simpler stock management and greater flexibility under varying site conditions. A professional assessment of the damage nevertheless remains essential. Successful and durable injection does not begin with the pump; it begins with the correct diagnosis and the right choice of material.

Unsure Which Product Is Right for Your Application?

ARCAN can support you in assessing your waterproofing task and selecting the appropriate injection system. Send us information about the structure, the type of leakage and the level of water exposure. Together, we will develop a technically suitable solution.

Further information: www.arcan.biz | office@arcan.biz

HydroBloc integral 575

Put an end to damp walls! Damp-proofing courses.

Put an end to damp walls! The ultimate guide to damp-proofing courses.

Moisture rising up through the masonry can be a nightmare for any homeowner. A professionally installed damp-proof course is often the only way to protect the structure of the building. In this article, you’ll learn all about the causes and solutions, and why choosing the right technique is crucial for long-term success.

Why do you need a damp-proof course at all?

The reason lies in physics: mineral building materials are porous and contain countless capillaries. These act like tiny suction tubes, drawing water upwards from the damp ground against the force of gravity. This ensures that moisture penetrates the masonry ‘of its own accord’ and rises within it.

Signs of damage: How can you spot the problem?

Rising damp is usually easy to spot. Typical signs include:

Visual defects: – Damp patches, – Dark discolouration, – Unpleasant water marks on the walls

Surface damage: – Flaking plaster, Salt efflorescence (white crusts), caused by crystallising salts

Health risks: The formation of mould, which is hazardous to health.

Indoor climate: A musty, damp smell in the affected rooms

Why do horizontal damp-proof courses fail?

In new builds, mechanical damp-proof courses, such as roofing felt (bitumen membranes), are typically installed. However, these have a limited lifespan.

Material fatigue: Over the decades, bitumen membranes become brittle and fragile. Building settlement or chemical processes in the ground can cause cracks through which moisture can rise unhindered.

Faulty repair attempts: Attempts to solve the problem using conventional chemical systems that rely on pore blockage (‘silicification’) often make matters worse. These systems do not form a tight ‘plug’, but merely constrict the capillaries.

This creates a physical vicious circle whereby, in narrower capillaries, water rises even higher due to physical forces. The result is that, after a few years, the damage simply reappears at an even greater height on the wall.

Why do newly installed horizontal water barriers often fail or prove defective from the outset?

The problem often lies in the method used. Many conventional systems rely on a process known as silicification, whereby pores are blocked.

The risk: These systems do not completely block the capillaries, but merely narrow them.

The fatal consequence? As water rises higher in narrower capillaries due to their physical properties, damage may occur at greater heights after a few years.

Application errors: Often, the borehole is not cleaned thoroughly. Drilling dust clogs the pore walls and prevents the sealing agent from penetrating deep enough into the building material.

Incorrect drill hole spacing or depth: If the borehole is drilled at the wrong angle, only 1/3 of the wall is penetrated, resulting in an incomplete sealing layer.

Why do horizontal waterproofing membranes fail?

In new builds, mechanical waterproofing layers, such as roofing felt (bitumen membranes), are usually installed. However, these have a limited lifespan.

Material fatigue: Over the decades, bitumen membranes become brittle and fragile. Building settlement or chemical processes in the ground can cause cracks through which moisture can rise unhindered.

Faulty repair attempts: Attempts to solve the problem using conventional chemical systems that rely on pore blockage (‘silicification’) often make matters worse. These systems do not form a tight ‘plug’, but merely constrict the capillaries.

This creates a vicious circle: in narrower capillaries, water rises even higher due to physical forces. The result is that, after a few years, the damage simply reappears at an even greater height on the wall.

How should a horizontal damp-proof course be installed correctly?

A modern chemical horizontal damp-proof course (using the injection method) can be installed in a few simple steps:

Preparation: Damaged plaster is removed over a wide area (approximately 80 cm above the moisture line), and joints are repaired where necessary.

Drilling: Drill holes are set in a grid or in a row. The depth corresponds to the wall thickness minus approximately 20 mm. The grid pattern of the drill holes depends on the chosen injection method.

Cleaning (essential!): Simply blowing out the holes is not enough. The holes should be cleaned with cylindrical wire brushes to clean the pores and and allow the active ingredient to penetrate.

Injection: Depending on the extent of moisture penetration, apply a liquid concentrate such as HydroBloc Si 709 (with pressure injection for water content >50%) or a cream such as HydroBloc Diffusion 715 (without pressure).

Non-pressurised injection of HydroBloc SI 709 using the drip container

Sealing: The holes are permanently sealed with an expansion mortar such as SealFix 930.

When is a horizontal damp-proof course not suitable?

It is important to understand that horizontal damp-proof courses are purely moisture barriers. They offer no protection against rising damp caused by high groundwater levels or standing water. Additional waterproofing measures are therefore required in such cases.

Why ARCAN products offer a permanent solution

Unlike other products, ARCAN does not simply plug the leak; it achieves water-repellency by interrupting capillary suction.

Chemical bonding: Products such as HydroBloc Diffusion 715 react with the structure of the building material and become virtually indissoluble when bonded to it.

Mode of action: Rather than merely ‘plugging’ the hole, the pore walls are made water-repellent. Capillary action is deactivated, meaning that water can no longer wet the surface, and water transport is permanently halted.

Extreme situations: HydroBloc Si 709, a reactive siloxane concentrate, has been specially developed for use in water-saturated building materials where conventional silicone- or silane-based agents are ineffective or unsuitable.

From damp to very wet: The reactive siloxane products in the HydroBloc range are suitable for all degrees of moisture penetration.

Certified quality: The systems are tested and approved in accordance with the strict WTA guidelines, guaranteeing the highest technological standards.

COMING SOON: You can find additional products to help you achieve a smooth renovation in our article. The Perfect Finish.

ARCAN Waterproofing arcan.biz Diffusion 715

Water Stop = Foam? Time for a better solution!

PU foams are often the first choice when dealing with heavy water ingress and water under pressure. They react quickly and stop the flow of water. As an emergency measure, this works extremely well in most cases.

We have redefined water stop with HydroBloc Rapid 570

For decades, the basic principle of injection technology has been that water ingress is stopped with foam.

However, this method has clear limitations. This is why we need to rethink how to stop water.

PU foams are often the first choice when dealing with heavy water ingress and water under pressure. They react quickly and stop the flow of water. As an emergency measure, this works extremely well in most cases.

The crucial question, however, is:

Is foam a permanently watertight solution?

Our experience shows that it is not. No.

There are two main reasons for this.

Firstly, foam remains foam.

Every piece of foam consists of countless cells, pores and voids. This is precisely its greatest weakness.

Wherever there are pores, there are potential pathways for water. Over time, moisture, water pressure and ageing processes can compromise the seal.

Therefore, foam always remains a porous material.

However, for a permanently reliable waterproofing solution, the opposite is required: a homogeneous, pore-free resin body.

No adaptation to movement.

A waterproofing system must be watertight not only today, but in the future too. It must also continue to function when the structure changes in five or ten years.

This is precisely where many foam-based waterproofing systems fall short. While they react quickly to stop water ingress, they cannot adapt to changing crack widths or joint movements. Even flexible foam fails in this respect.

HydroBloc Rapid 570 takes a different approach.

Its elastic resin body actively adapts to structural changes through adaptive sealing technology, even years after injection.

The result is a waterproofing system that stops water and remains permanently watertight.

This is why we at ARCAN rely on a new technology: water stopping without foam.

Watch the video to find out more: HydroBloc Rapid 570 – Water Stopping Redefined.

How does the subsequent adaptation work?

The elastic resin bodies can actively adapt to changing cross-sections. This is called adaptive sealing technology.

Foam only adapts once, during the reaction process. After that, its structure is fixed. If cracks or joints change later due to temperature fluctuations, settlement or structural movement, these changes cannot be compensated for.

Adaptive swelling resins work differently:

They remain permanently elastic and can react to moisture even years after injection. If a crack widens or a joint changes shape, the material actively adapts. The seal remains intact.

The result is that even when structures move, water has little chance of finding new pathways.

Foam may be inexpensive to buy, but expensive in practice.

When selecting an injection material, price is often the first thing considered. At first glance, foam resins often appear particularly economical.

However, the material price and the expected volume increase resulting from foaming say very little about the actual cost of waterproofing.

The decisive question is:

How much material is actually required, and how durable is the result?

Material loss through washout

In the presence of strong water flow, some of the injected material can be lost.

Low-viscosity foam resins are dispersed by the water flow and do not remain concentrated in one place. They are often diluted to such an extent that the sealing effect is delayed.

Consequently, material consumption increases.

HydroBloc Rapid 570 takes a different approach: HydroBloc Cream Technology.

Immediately after mixing, the unique Rapid Cream is formed. It is not water-miscible and is not dispersed by flowing water. The material remains exactly where the waterproofing is required.

The result is higher efficiency and faster sealing of the leak.

Permanent watertightness means greater economic efficiency.

This elastic, pore-free injection rubber seals faster and more efficiently than waterstop foam, making it significantly more economical.

When rework, complaints and recurring injections are avoided too, the solution becomes unbeatable.

Therefore, the decisive question should not be:

‘What is the material’s cost per kilogram?’

But rather:

‘What is the cost of waterproofing over the entire service life of the structure?’

The secret behind Rapid Cream technology is that

Immediately after mixing, Rapid Cream is formed. It can be pumped for around 60 seconds and reliably flows through cracks and joints.

At the same time, it is not water-miscible, and unlike many low-viscosity foam resins, it is not dispersed by flowing water. It remains locally concentrated.

Consequently, the material remains exactly where waterproofing is required, quickly and effectively sealing the water pathway.

After around 120 seconds, the reaction is complete.

The result is a homogeneous, pore-free, elastic injection rubber that:

remains permanently watertight
actively reacts to moisture
compensates for structural movement
contains no open foam cells
provides reliable long-term waterproofing

Water stopping redefined: no foam, no pores, no compromise.

Why does Rapid 570 still seal years later?

The adaptive swelling effect means the material volume actively adjusts to changes in joint or crack cross-sections. HydroBloc Rapid 570 can increase its volume by up to 80%.

Important: Rapid 570 is not a gel.

When dry conditions occur, the additional swelling volume decreases again without the material shrinking below its original volume.

Unlike injection gels, HydroBloc Rapid 570 contains no water. The waterproofing remains permanently elastic and fully functional, even in dry conditions.