The weakest point in a building is not always the structure – it may be a service penetration

Topic:	Sealing pipe and cable penetrations in technical spaces
Focus:	Airtightness, waterproofing, elasticity, maintainability and reliability on site
Solution:	TKR’s elastic bio-based coating system and cartridge technology
Suitable for:	New construction and renovation projects, especially technical spaces and structures exposed to moisture

Technical spaces contain details that building users may never even see. Yet these details can determine how well a structure performs over the years and decades.

Pipe and cable penetrations are a good example. They may seem like small details, but from the perspective of structural performance, they are critical points. At a penetration, different materials, moisture stress, thermal movement, air leaks and stresses caused by structural movement all meet.

That is why penetration sealing should not be treated as just a last-minute work phase. It should be part of the building’s overall moisture control, airtightness and long-term durability.

Why should penetration sealing be approached in a new way?

In the construction industry, there is a lot of discussion about responsibility, moisture control and long building service life. Often, the discussion focuses on large-scale issues such as structural systems, energy efficiency or material choices.

In practice, however, many problems begin in small details.

In technical spaces, pipes, cables, floor drains, wall junctions and floor structures form a system in which every detail must work together. If a penetration remains unsealed or poorly sealed, moisture, impurities or air may move through it in the wrong direction. Over time, a small defect can lead to a much larger repair need.

In new construction, small details make the difference

In new construction projects, technical spaces often involve many different work phases and products. Around penetrations, the following products may typically be used:

• sealants
• penetration sealing compounds
• waterproofing products
• surface coatings
• topcoat paints

Every separate product, work phase and material interface also increases the possibility of errors. For the building user, however, the most important thing is not how many different products have been installed in the structure. What matters is that the whole system works reliably and can be easily maintained when needed.

With TKR’s elastic bio-based coating system, the following can be carried out using one system:

• sealing of service penetrations
• waterproofing
• a final wear-resistant surface
• an easy-to-clean and maintainable structure

The result is a seamless, elastic solution that is well suited for technical spaces.

One system – three important functions

In renovation, the priority is not always demolition

In renovation projects, the starting point is often different from new construction. The structures already exist, the spaces may still be in use, and the aim is often to minimise disruption to building users.

In such cases, the most responsible solution is not always to demolish and rebuild.

With the TKR system, it is possible to:

• seal old service penetrations
• repair technical spaces exposed to moisture
• carry out waterproofing without extensive demolition work
• renew the surface layer using the same product
• make future maintenance and cleaning easier

At the same time, material waste, demolition waste and the environmental impacts of construction can be reduced. When an existing structure can be preserved and improved, the repair also supports the extension of the building’s service life.

Elasticity is essential for long-term durability

Pipes, cables and different building materials are not completely static. They move as a result of temperature changes, use, moisture variation and stresses affecting the structure.

If a sealing solution is too rigid, it may crack, detach from the substrate or lose its tightness over time. This is why technical spaces require solutions that can withstand normal structural movement.

An elastic structure can accommodate movement while maintaining tightness. This makes elasticity particularly important around service penetrations, wall-to-floor junctions and other technical details.

The performance of a two-component product – the ease of a one-component product

Traditionally, two-component products have presented practical challenges on construction sites. Many contractors have been hesitant to use them because their application may have required:

• precise measuring of mixing ratios
• weighing
• separate mixing
• several work phases
• management of material waste
• minimising the risk of errors in a busy site environment

TKR cartridge technology has been developed to make these challenges easier to manage. The components are pre-measured in the correct ratio, which means there is no need to separately measure or weigh the mixing ratio on site. This helps achieve a more consistent end result and reduces the risk of installation errors.

What have contractors said about the solution?

Feedback from customers and contractors has particularly highlighted faster work, fewer errors and ease of installation.

Watch the short application video: how penetration sealing is carried out in practice

The short application video added to this article helps demonstrate how the TKR cartridge solution works on site.

The video can show, for example:

• how the cartridge is prepared for use
• how the compound is applied around the penetration
• how the sealing connects to waterproofing and the final surface
• what the finished, seamless and maintainable result looks like

What should be checked before choosing a solution?

When planning penetration sealing, it is worth considering a few practical questions:

• Is the penetration located in an area exposed to moisture?
• Is waterproofing also required in the same area?
• How much movement will affect the pipes, cables and substrates?
• How many separate products does the current solution require?
• Can the finished result be inspected, cleaned and maintained later?
• Can work phases be reduced without compromising the performance of the structure?

When these questions are taken into account already during design or on site, penetration sealing becomes part of a controlled system instead of a separate finishing task.

Fewer layers – fewer risks

When assessing the service life of buildings, the decisive factors are not always the large and visible structures. Often, the decisive factors are small details that either continue to perform year after year or begin to cause problems over time.

When penetration sealing, waterproofing and surface structures can be carried out more simply, the whole system also becomes easier to control.

At the same time, construction becomes:

• faster
• cleaner
• more installer-friendly
• easier to maintain
• more responsible

The weakest point in a building is not always the structure. Often, it is a detail.

And that is exactly why penetration sealing should be done right the first time – in both new construction and renovation projects.

 

Would you like to find out whether the TKR solution is suitable for your project?

If your project involves questions related to service penetrations in technical spaces, waterproofing, sealing or renovation, contact TKR. Together, we can determine which solution is best suited to your project.