Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/137453
DuRock head office, City of Vaughan, Woodbridge. The roof is coated in RubberRock T-200, a white elastomeric material that bonds well with TioCOAT. Pat Giles, Maxxon's VP of technical and R&D, says architects, builders and other construction professionals should use surface-applied moisture systems on all concrete substrates. Changes in site conditions, flooring material and landscape make a big difference in the level of waterproofing that a building requires. For example, manufacturers of finished floor goods set moisture limitation recommendations. Although ceramic and other breathable materials suit sites that test high on the MVER scale, vinyl and wood products shouldn't be used in highmoisture areas without proper moisture-mitigating protection. Customers would be wise to think ahead and consider possible moisturerelated scenarios, Giles says. He explains that if the MVER test reveals moisture vapour pressure is low, the customer might be safe to apply a membrane designed for low-moisture vapour pressure. But MVER tests don't always tell the whole story. Testing occurs over a 48- to 72-hour period. A lot can change in a month, six months or a year later. What if construction for a new building begins next door and rain fills the bottom of the excavation pit? That water, which wasn't accounted for in the test, could work its way into the existing building's foundation. "It's my opinion that all slabs should be taken to the maximum 25-pounds MVER protection to safeguard against all future variables," Giles says. Customers should keep in mind the substantial costs that result from moisture-related damage. "We're talking millions of dollars annually from floor-good failures, tenant moves, loss of rental income and lawsuits," he says. Over the 40 years that the company has been in business, Duradek has witnessed numerous situations in which its waterproof vinyl for walking surfaces and roofs has been used to fix water-damaged properties. Consider the time when a condo complex needed to update some seriously deteriorated balconies. On certain balconies, the concrete had weakened so badly that it barely covered the sheetrock from the residence below. Property owners had the concrete replaced and Duradek's Ultra Surcoseal Latte was added to the deck surface. The new vinyl membrane now provides extra protection. On one job, ease of installation made a big difference. The new building was situated on the waterfront so the construction crew had to use a boom lift on a floating barge to apply the decking surface material. Duradek's product proved so easy to install that it took just one day for the project to be completed, which meant the builders didn't incur additional charges for time with the lift and barge. Working with trained, experienced installers has helped Duradek succeed over the years, notes Jennifer Ogilvie Brackett, the company's marketing manager. "We take our warranty and our brand name seriously, so we don't sell our product to just anyone. It can only be sold to companies that have gone through our training program to ensure we can be proud of the end result." Tuff sells its Tufdek waterproof exterior flooring product through authorized dealers. The product is installed by trained specialists to ensure the installation stands the test of time. This attention to the installation aspect enables the company to offer a 15-year product warranty plus a five-year installation warranty. Offering this high-end solution to weekend builders, whose skills may not match those of the pros, didn't make sense. That's why Tuff developed Econodek, a valueoriented waterproof exterior flooring solution that is meant for the do-it-yourself and light-contracting markets. "We had a strong demand through our website for a do-it-yourself product," says Grant Lawton, Tuff's business development manager. He credits the spike in interest to market exposure. "People see our product more and more, and there's always a segment that wants to install the material for themselves." Econodek comes with a 10-year product warranty but no installation warranty. Waterproofing p92-96Waterproofing.indd 93 The new product is also easier to install and it is approximately 40 per cent less expensive than Tufdek. While Econodek sells well through retailers, Tufdek continues to attract builders and renovators who need to provide installation assurance. In the condo rehabilitation and multi-family new construction markets especially, "homeowner associations have already experienced the pain of inferior waterproofing installations," Lawton says. "They want the peace of mind of a superior product along with an extended installation warranty." Dryvit Systems Canada Ltd. recently began offering Backstop NT – VB in Canada. Initially available only in the U.S., this product takes the non-cementitious properties that Dryvit developed for its water-resistive air barrier in the 1990s and adds vapour protection. The result is an easy-to-use polymer-based barrier that prevents water penetration, eliminates air infiltration and slows vapour diffusion. Designed typically for uninsulated steel stud and concrete block walls, Backstop NT – VB replaces Dryvit's Airsulation, which performed similarly but required special application techniques and more drying time. As Dryvit's national sales manager Kevin Day points out, Backstop NT – VB's relatively short drying time enables builders to get on with projects more quickly. That spells increased efficiency and lower overall costs. Applied in two coats, Backstop NT – VB can be used in conjunction with Dryvit's Outsulation exterior insulation system (EIFS) as well as non-EIFS building envelopes. Backstop NT – VB also complements AquaFlash, the company's water-based polymer material used in conjunction with a mesh to seal substrates around expansion joints, windows, doors and other openings. It's an alternative to the rubberized asphaltic membranes commonly used for transition areas. Waterproofing is an important consideration for building longevity. These innovative systems not only protect buildings over the longterm, but thanks to ongoing research and development efforts, the products also help builders save on labour. n june 2013 /93 13-05-30 2:43 PM