Award

J UNE 2019 | 27 Waterproofing Dispelling the myths about waterproofing products by ROBIN BRUNET G iven the crucial role waterproofing products play in the construction/ren- ovation sectors, it's not surprising that manufacturers are constantly coming up with new solutions for a huge range of applications. But even though advanced technol- ogy is going a long way in preserving the integrity of residential, commercial, and industrial structures (not to mention infrastructure), misconceptions occasionally arise about the technology being used. Crystalline admixtures is a case in point. While these admixtures have gained widespread accep- tance over the decades, Kris Till, product manager for Kryton International Inc. (the inventor of the crys- talline admixture) points out that, "one of the largest misconceptions we see with these crystalline water- proofing systems is that people think they are all the same. In fact, our Krystol technology is chemi- cally different from competitors. The reaction that takes place is what creates crystal growth, with the size and shape of crystals affecting performance, and Kryton exclusively grows needle-shaped crystals that fill more space and interlock better." Equally important, crystalline competitors rely on the free lime within concrete to trigger the chem- ical reaction; but the lime can leach out over time, thus affecting the ability of the product to self-seal. "Kryton on the other hand reacts with unhydrated cementing particles that remain throughout the life of the concrete structure and are always available," says Till. "Therefore, it will reliably continue to react and self-seal over the entire life of the structure." Additionally, a waterproofing admixture that has the ability to limit the initial shrinkage and cracking is widely beneficial. "If you produce smaller cracks, self-sealing becomes easier, waterproofing becomes more reliable, and active ingredients are now saved for later in the lifecycle," says Till. "Kryton typically reduces shrinkage by 20 to 25 percent and has shown up to a 80 percent reduction in the size of cracks that develop. Competitors do not have the same ability, which makes the probability of leak repairs higher." For these and other reasons, structures such as the Boeing Aircraft Development Center in Everett, Washington – one of the largest buildings ever con- structed in North America and which was treated with Kryton in 1983 – remains bone dry today. "Our competitors simply don't have the history and experi- ence we do, so there is a significant risk in using them as a long-term solution," says Till, adding that closer to home, Kryton has been used successfully on build- ings all over Vancouver, where foundations can go five storeys into the water table. Of course, waterproof membranes remain a staple of the waterproofing sector, and Flexstone Coatings distinguishes itself by offering the only CCMC- approved seamless deck membrane for applications over living spaces. Demi Christou, operations manager for Flexstone Coatings, describes his water-catalyzed ure- thane product as a thick, rubberized, eco-friendly cold applied coating designed for applications on sun- decks, flat roofs, and other venues. It is versatile, long lasting, and resistant to freezing temperatures and heavy traffic. The finish coats are also 100 percent UV stable and fade resistant. "We've offered the prod- uct across Canada for the past seven years and have doubled our volumes several times," he says. The reason for Flexstone's success in Canada is simple. "The product was actually developed in California for ski resorts and really took off in cold climates beyond its niche market origins," says Christou. "It's a solution in a market that up until recently has been dominated by torch-on products and other traditional systems." The Flexstone base maintains a tremendous bond with the substrate over the span of decades. "Our product bonds to nearly any surface, so coating over existing membranes is possible, however, we recom- mend the removal of old membranes to ensure that our bond to plywood or concrete is the only one we rely on," says Christou. The advantage of the hot fluid-applied Hydrotech Monolithic Membrane 6125 is that it is a proven per- former: it is the original rubberized and self-healing asphalt membrane, trusted for almost 50 years to keep high-profile structures watertight (over two bil- lion square feet has been installed on projects in over Signed, Sealed, And Delivered Eucon Baracade WPT from Euclid Admixtures. Crystalline admixture waterproofing system from Kryton International Inc. Water-catalyzed urethane deck membrane from Flexstone Coatings. Hot fluid-applied Hydrotech Monolithic Membrane 6125.

• Cover