CRACK REPAIR
Cracks are cleaned out with a chipping gun or routed with a saw, to remove any loose material. A waterproofing material is applied next, followed by an industrial-strength adhesive. A specialised crack filler is used to repair the crack, which is then coated with another layer of a waterproofing material. Slight grinding is done, to smooth the repaired area. Painting is done last, if requested by client.
PATCHING
Patching with No Moisture
If there are no active leaks and the surface is dry, slight griding is done to ensure proper patch installation. The prepared area is then coated with an industrial-strength adhesive, and the patch installed immediately afterwards (The product used provides monolithic adhesion which allows for patches as thin as 5 mm to be installed).
Some grinding is done, for a smoother surface finish.
Patching a Wet Surface
If there are no active leaks and the surface is dry, slight griding is done to ensure proper patch installation. The prepared area is then coated with an industrial-strength adhesive, and the patch installed immediately afterwards (The product used provides monolithic adhesion which allows for patches as thin as 5 mm to be installed).
Some grinding is done, for a smoother surface finish.
RESLOPING
Surface slope can be corrected with an extensive patch application of varying thickness. The concrete substrate must be prepared first: grinding and debris removal is done first. Measurements are taken with a laser, to determine the slope required. The surface is then coated with adhesive, and new concrete is installed. Once the patch is cured, slight grinding is done, for a smoother finish.
COLD JOINT WATERPROOFING
Floor / wall corners (cold joints) are a weaker area of any concrete surface, so they are more likely to leak. For lasting waterproofing results, the joints are first chipped out to the depth of 1”. If there is active leakage, black cement and torching are used, to stop water flow and allow for the repair. A waterproofing material is applied next, followed by an industrial-strength adhesive. A continuous patch, running along the entire joint, is then installed forming a 45° angle. It is then coated with a specialised primer, followed by another layer of a waterproofing material. An upturn is down along the wall above floor cold joints for better results.
EXPANSION JOINT INJECTION
Ceiling Joints
Before a joint can be injected, it must be cleaned out. Drill ports must be done next – a 0.5” opening is drilled to the left of the joint (for liquid polyurea injection), and a 0.5” opening is drilled to the right of the joint (for polyurea foam injection). The joint is then coated with industrial-strength adhesive, and a backer rod is inserted tightly into the joint to keep the injected material in place. Liquid polyurea is injected next, followed by polyurea foam injection. A waterproofing material is then used to cover the corners formed between the joint and the inserted backer rod.
Wall Joints
The joint must be cleaned out before the injection can be done. Drill ports are done next – 0.5” openings are drilled on both sides of the joint, for the respective materials (liquid polyurea and polyurea foam) to be injected. Then joint is then coated with an industrial-strength adhesive, and two backer rods are inserted tightly into the joint to keep the injected material in place (one at the depth of 5”, and the other one flushed with the wall surface). Liquid polyurea is injected next, moving from one injection port to another, as the injected material starts coming out of the openings. Once the injection is complete, polyurea foam is injected in the same sequence. A waterproofing material is then used to cover the corners formed between the joint and the inserted backer rod.
Floor Joints
Joint cleaning is the first step of the repair. Once prepared, the joint is coated with an industrial-strength adhesive, and a backer rod is inserted tightly into the joint to ensure the waterproofing material will remain in place. Liquid polyurea is applied next.
LEDGE BEAM REPAIR
Besides doing crack repair and patching on the beam itself, waterproofing might be required for the expansion joint located right above it. If that is the case, drill ports must be installed in such a way that they will end up in the joint (drilling is done through the ledge beam concrete, using a guided rail). Drill ports are done next – 0.5” openings are drilled on both sides of the joint, to allow for liquid polyurea and polyurea foam injection. To finish the repair, ledge beam corners are waterproofed: the surface is cleaned, and primer is applied, followed by a waterproofing coating.
FLAT ROOF WATERPROOFING
Foam Insulation
To fully waterproof a flat roof, its surface must be prepared. Metal roofs must be free of oil, rust, and debris: a blaster or grinder is used, followed by a solvent for oil removal, if needed. With concrete roofs, any gravel, insulation, and fleece must be removed, and the concrete substrate is cleaned.
Foam insulation is installed and coated with primer. A polyurea-based membrane is sprayed or rolled on (depending on project requirements) next. In case gravel is not used for UV protection, and if the UV-resistant top coat is not applied immediately, then the waterproofing membrane must be coated with primer.
Rigid Insulation
To fully waterproof a flat roof, its surface must be prepared. Metal roofs must be free of oil, rust, and debris: a blaster or grinder is used, followed by a solvent for oil removal, if needed. With concrete roofs, any gravel, insulation, and fleece must be removed, and the concrete substrate is cleaned.
Foam insulation is installed and coated with primer. A polyurea-based membrane is sprayed or rolled on (depending on project requirements) next. In case gravel is not used for UV protection, and if the UV-resistant top coat is not applied immediately, then the waterproofing membrane must be coated with primer.
Rigid Insulation with Geotextile
With substrate preparation done – the roof must be completely free of rust, oil, or debris to ensure a successful waterproofing application – the repair begins with an adhesive layer. Rigid insulation is put in place and coated with more adhesive, followed by geotextile. A polyurea-based waterproofing membrane is installed next. If the roof repair cannot be finished in one day, then the membrane must be primed before a UV-resistant top coat is applied (this step is not required if gravel is used for UV protection).
Rigid Insulation with Polyurea Geotextile
Once roof surface preparation is complete, adhesive is applied, and rigid insulation is installed. Another layer of adhesive follows, and polyurea geotextile is installed. A polyurea-based waterproofing membrane is rolled or sprayed on next (depending on project requirements). If a UV-resistant top coat is not applied immediately – and if gravel is not used for UV protection – then the entire roof surface must be primed before a UV-protection membrane is installed.