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PROTECTING YOUR WORLD

Why Choosing An Elastomeric Waterproofing Solution Is A Must

    Solutions for waterproofing industrial construction projects are comprised of many materials or chemical makeups. They range from the asphalt-based products of traditional solutions to advanced technologies such as polyurethane, PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate), and polyurea.

    Liquid-applied waterproofing is a very popular choice for horizontal deck applications and is expanding as technologies advance and a larger variety of products and systems fill the space. Hot-applied waterproofing solutions are made from vulcanized rubber, such as hot rubberized asphalt (HRA), and cold-applied waterproofing solutions are made from polymers like thermoplastic elastomers.

    An elastomeric waterproofing material offers advantages over other technologies because of its capacity to contract and expand, its strength, which helps limit punctures, dents, and scratches, and its capability to withstand extreme tensile forces. Because of the demands placed on the surfaces of waterproofed construction in construction and commercial building contingencies, the material selected to waterproof the project must have elastomeric properties.

    Elastomeric materials, including coatings, are composed of Elastomer, an elastic polymer with properties comparable to natural rubber. A liquid waterproofing product that is elastomeric is extremely flexible and can offer the following advantages for waterproofing.

    Crack Bridging

     

    The ability to expand and the contract allows the elastomeric waterproofing material to adapt to structural changes of a building or surface. This feature also helps bridge cracks that might result from concrete shrinkage.

    Crack bridging is essential when using liquid waterproofing materials because of the motion of structures and structures. In areas where the temperatures fluctuate throughout the year, particularly those with low ambient temperatures, There is a tendency for cracks to move between open and closed. The movement causes cracks. The back-and-forth motion of cracks when temperatures fluctuate could result in a frequent cycle of fatigue for the membrane that waterproofs every year.

    An elastomeric waterproofing membrane made of liquid can withstand the forces of the building and fatigue, ensuring its integrity for a lengthy period and safeguarding the structure beneath by stopping any water penetration.

    RESISTANCE TO DAMAGE

     

    The endurance of the waterproofing materials is reflected in the resistance to indentations, punctures, and abrasions and the ability to endure tensile and other forces. This is an important factor when selecting the right liquid waterproofing solution.

    There are specific requirements that must be considered to determine the longevity of a coating:

    Tear resistance or tear strength: The resistance to tearing that includes the force needed to start the tearing process of the materials and tear propagation. In the case of a waterproofing process, the strength required to trigger the tearing is crucial to avoid forming a breach.

    Shore hardness: The resistance of a material to indentation and the impact of heavy loads.

    Abrasion resistance: Ability to endure several variations of abrasion on the surface without becoming worn or scratched with friction.

    The vast majority of elastomeric cold-applied liquid waterproofing products are substances that react to form an extremely heavy molecular weight of cross-linking polymer. This provides solid resistance to indentation, puncture wear and tear, and more. The waterproofing course or exposed waterproofing protection course must withstand any foot traffic or construction work. This is particularly important for heavy-duty equipment that is moved or rested, or dropped on the concrete surface, which can cause damage to the concrete beneath.

    The highly reactive, elastomeric, cold-applied liquid waterproofing gives it the ability to deal with “point weights,” such as from the weight of a piece of equipment with narrow legs beneath. In this case, the membrane will not have a hole or penetrate. As high as 3000-psi point load was tested on elastomeric cold-applied waterproofing without causing any damage to the membrane.

    CAPACITY FOR ELONGATION

     

    An elastomeric liquid waterproofing solution’s flexibility coupled with its tensile strength allows it to stand up to stretching past the point that the other (particularly applied hot) liquid waterproofing products could break. This is the very nature of being elastomeric, as it is the science behind the coating.

    LESS STEPS

    Due to its elastomeric characteristics, cold-applied waterproofing only requires one or two layers to provide long-lasting and reliable performance. It is not necessary to use an inter-layer reinforcement to preserve the quality of the waterproofing membrane. Furthermore, a protection course is not needed for construction when employing an elastomeric coating which assists in simplifying the process and, thus, the chance of making mistakes in the installation process.

    CONCUSION

    Liquid waterproofing solutions need to have specific characteristics to be effective, including the ability to flex and last. Solutions that contain elastomeric polymers offer flexibility and strength, guaranteeing the system’s durability, which allows for performance that is crucial for long-lasting waterproofing and safeguarding the roofing material. Waterproofing material is strong enough to withstand the abuse of construction sites and wear and tear while protecting its waterproofing properties.

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