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Read about home foundation waterproofing products
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Read about basement foundation waterproofing
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Read about Concrete waterproofing
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Read about Concrete Coating Vs Waterproofing
Membranes - part 1
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Read about Concrete Coating Vs Waterproofing
Membranes - part 2
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Read about Concrete Coating Vs Waterproofing
Membranes - part 3 |
Protective Coatings vs a Waterproofing Membrane |
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Page 3 Comparing protective coatings (concrete coating) and waterproofing membranes.
For this comparison, we are comparing water and solvent based protective coatings against  dimpled membrane.
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8. Waterproofing and Air Pockets |
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| Protective coatings |
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 Waterproofing Membrane |
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| When protective coatings are applied in hot dry weather, air pockets and blisters may occur. The cause of this is, the water or solvents in protective coatings evaporating too fast. These defected areas could expose the foundation wall to moisture |
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A membrane can be installed regardless of weather conditions. To hot or to cold it won't matter as unlike protective coatings, the high-density polyethylene membrane is unaffected by weather conditions and as a result blisters and air pockets don't exist. |
| damage. Blisters and air pockets in protective coatings can easily be penetrated during the backfill process. Since protective coatings protrude the foundation wall and are soft, they could attract the backfill material and are easier to tear off, thus exposing your foundation and negating the benefits of your protective coatings. |
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| 9. Hydrostatic Headwater Pressure |
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| Protective coating |
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 Waterproofing Membrane |
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| Groundwater exerts pressure on walls and protective coatings as it seeps through the earth. This water pressure is called hydrostatic pressure. It can force moisture through cracked protective coatings, pores in the basement wall and even crack or buckle the wall. Because protective coatings have no drainage ability, they do not remove the headwater pressure off the wall they merely hold the headwater pressure back like a dam. This will only last as long as the protective coatings |
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Our dimpled membrane removes 100% of the hydrostatic headwater off the face of your foundation wall. The dimples keep the membrane and soil 3/8's of an inch off the foundation wall. The membrane then diverts the moisture and water to the footing drain for removal. In addition the air gap created by the dimples actually draws moisture from within your home out, keeping your home dry and letting your home breathe something protective coatings can't do. |
remain intact. Some protective coatings dissipate into the soil, meaning they will only provide resistance against hydrostatic pressure for a short period of time. In addition, when the protective coatings on your wall are working, they not only keep water and moisture out, the protective coatings seal internal water and moisture in your home not letting it breathe. |
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| 10. Waterproofing to Bridge Gaps and Cracks |
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| Protective coating |
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 Waterproofing Membrane |
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| 66% of all concrete foundations crack within the first year of being poured. Protective coatings, when cured, could crack with the foundation. If there is an elastic component, in the protective coatings, it might bridge the gaps when they occur, but will become weaker (like stretching a balloon). In addition, most protective coatings can dissipate into the soil after just 5 years leaving your |
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Since a membrane is mechanically fastened, the wall can shift, crack and settle without affecting its performance. It will protect your home from leaks even if your foundation has cracks, voids and honeycombs. It provides a permanent barrier along the entire foundation wall and the E.P.A. estimates that it will last 300 years buried, meaning it could outlast your home. |
| home bare and unprotected. These cracks in your protective coatings and wall can become passageways for moisture to enter your home. It's important for a foundation waterproofing system to be able to bridge gaps and last as long as your home. |
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| 11. The Environmental Effects of Waterproofing |
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| Protective coating |
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 Waterproofing Membrane |
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| Solvent protective coatings, like asphalt or rubber, can be highly explosive and contain V.O.C's (Volatile Organic Compounds) such as exilene, naphtha, paint thinner, ammonia and toelene. The V.O.C's in protective coatings can seep into the surrounding environment making site conditions volatile, hazardous and environmentally unsafe. Protective coatings applied during inclement weather can cause a slow curing rate. If rain becomes present it can wash solvent protective coatings off your foundation and into creeks, streams, stormwater systems or into the drainage systems. Water and solvents in protective coatings don't mix and can cause a huge mess if haphazardly released. The E.P.A (Environmental Protection Agency) can fine thousands of dollars or even take away the business license away of the company responsible for a spill. Some water-based protective coatings are made up of soap, asphalt, latex and ammonia. When mixed with groundwater, the mess left by protective coatings can be nearly impossible to collect during pollution cleanup and the protective coatings can also turn the water brown. |
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 membrane allows your work site conditions to be environmentally safe and 100% environmentally friendly. Unlike most protective coatings, the membrane does not contain and is unable to emit any V.O.C's. It does not dissipate into the soil; affect streams, creeks or local wildlife. Builders, waterproofing contractors and do-it-yourselfers use and prefer our membrane because it does not cause environmental concerns or problems with the E.P.A.
protective coatings running after protective
running of wall coatings are applied
protective coatings protective coatings vs
leaving a gap our membrane
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| 12. The Lifespan of Waterproofing Materials |
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| Protective coating |
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 Waterproofing Membrane |
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| Due to alkalines and acids in concrete and soils, protective coatings may dissipate into the soil after 5 short years leaving your home bare and unprotected. Other protective coatings can take up to 15 years to dissipate. |
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The estimated lifespan of a high-density polyethylene membrane, as per the E.P.A., is 300 years buried below grade. In addition it is unaffected by alkalines in both concrete and soils.
All this means, unlike protective coatings, it won't pull a Houdini act and leave your home unprotected. |
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a concrete foundation
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