Q:How do I repair cracks in my cement pool?
A:Reparing Cracks in Swimming Pools Your in-ground swimming pool can be seen as "underground concrete water tank", which means that if you want to waterproof it, you're going to need coating and sealants that can withstand lots of "negative hydrostatic pressure", or under-ground water pressure that passes through the substrate (your concrete pool) and presses on the back side of the pool coating.Products required are Maxplug or Maxrest and Maxseal Flex.
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Q:What characteristics of a waterproof membrane?
A:Membrane Characteristics The point of a waterproofing membrane is to protect a building's visual and structural integrity by keeping water where it belongs and out of where it doesn't. To do its job and achieve total "waterproofocity", a membrane has to be: ? Impermeable. The membrane must be impermeable to prevent the passage of water. ? Flexible - membranes need to withstand any normal movement that may occur in building structures. ? Durable. The membrane must be able to retain its integrity over a long period of time. ? Designable. The membrane must lend itself to design details in a building. It must be suitable for each specific application. If a membrane cannot be applied where needed because of structural details, it is useless. ? Breathable. The membrane must be able to breathe so that moisture vapors from building interior and substrates can escape freely. ? Bondable. The membrane must be able to bond easily and readily to tiles that are fixed directly to them. ? User-friendly. The membrane must be easy to apply, relatively lightweight, non-hazardous, and environmentally safe. ? Repairable and maintainable. In exposed areas such as rooftops, the membrane should require little maintenance, and in the event of damage must be easily repairable. ? Continuous. The membrane should provide a continuous film, without areas of weakness such as overlaps, which could prove to be a potential source of water entry. ? Resistant. The membrane must withstand environmental and climatic conditions.
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Q:What types of liquid membranes are available?
A:Types of Liquid Membranes There is a liquid membrane solution for virtually every waterproofing or vaperproofing situation. Here is a list of the most common. Consult a professional for advice on choosing the right product for your job. ? Mastic asphalt ? Two components polyurethane tar modified ? Two components tar epoxies modified ? Single pack moisture curing polyurethane ? Water based epoxy two part for hydrostatic pressure situations ? Polyester resin two parts reinforced wit fibreglass matt ? Flexible epoxy resin two parts ? Bitumen latex modified single pack ? Acrylic co-polymer water based single part ? Acrylic co-polymer cement modified two components
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Q:What is a swelled aquifer?
A:Swelled Aquifer If you see seepage only after days of heavy rain, you may have a swelled aquifer on your hands. If leaks keep dripping for several days after the rain stops, you have a high water table (the top of an aquifer), an uphill spring or a perched water table (a small underground pond). A rising water table usually penetrates everywhere at once. Springs and perched water tables may enter along one wall. Whatever the source, you have to get rid of the water somehow. You can install a sump pump, or arrange to have your basement professionally waterproofed.
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Q:How do I repair cracks in concrete?
A:Repairing Cracks in a Concrete Foundation Let's face it, concrete is critical to modern society, if only it would stop cracking up on us. Well, not to condone it or anything, but concrete can't help cracking. It's just the way its made. You see, there are these capillaries that form during the curing process that eventually let water in. The pressure from the moisture cracks the concrete. The only thing you can do is repair the cracks. Here's a brief guide to foundation repair for concrete: 1. Clean out cracks of any size as best you can, using a wire brush or even a strong spray of water. 2. Fill small cracks (less than 1/8 inch) with caulk specially made for concrete. (Be sure cracks are dry before caulking.) 3. Fill larger cracks or small holes (less than a few inches) using patching products designed for concrete. These usually are in the form of a powder that is mixed with water. They typically expand as they dry and become very hard. 4. Apply sealant or paint to the concrete. One more thing. Patching compounds generally work better if the crack is damp or wet.
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Q:How do I seal cracks and holes in my foundation?
A:Sealing Cracks in a Foundation If a crack in your foundation has led to the formation of your own little Water World in your basement, you may be able to close the gap by this guide to foundation repair: 1. Excavate the area to access the crack or hole from the outside. 2. Use a pressure washer, scraper, steel brush, compressed air and/or other approaches and tools to clean the wall area in and around the leak thoroughly. 3. Use a brick or pointing trowel to pack large voids with hydraulic cement, which you can apply to a wet surface. When it dries after a few days, brush on foundation coating and backfill.
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Q:What kind of foundations are there?
A:Types of Foundations To most of us, a foundation is a foundation is a foundation. But to building type experts, nothing could be further from the truth. The foundation wall of a building may be a cast-in-place concrete retaining or basement wall or a structural wall complete with load-bearing pilasters. These walls may can be concrete or reinforced masonry. The foundation wall system may include an earth retention system of soldier piles and wood lagging or shotcreted rock which may require waterproofing. Water removal and control are crucial for most portions of the foundation wall. In addition, thermal loading of the upper areas of the foundation wall must be addressed.
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Q:What are capillaries?
A:Reducing Capillaries in Concrete Capillaries are teeny-weeny channels that form in concrete during the the curing process after excess water needed to make the concrete flow properly has evaporated. Like death and taxes, capillaries are inevitable, no matter how high a quality of concrete you make. They are almost impossible to eliminate, but they can me keep to a minimum by following a few simple steps. If you don't want to find yourself searching for a guide to basement concrete foundation repair in an attempt to fix horrendous damage, try the following: 1. Keep the water to cement ratio to a minimum (less water). 2. Control the curing and cure for as long as possible. 3. Add a high tech substance to the concrete (Admixture). 4. All of the above.
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Q:How do capillaries make concrete weak?
A:How Capillaries Cause Cracks in Concrete Capillaries are subversive little agents that undermine the strength of concrete by providing air spaces for moisture invaders, making it porous. They shamelessly wick moisture from the surrounding environment and bring it to the top of the concrete slab just underneath flooring materials, enabling the water, or water vapor, when it condenses, to ravage helpless flooring adhesives.
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Q:What is a cementitious waterproof system?
A:Cementitious Waterproofing System No. Cementitious was never a Pope. Couldn't have been. Cementitious systems contain Portland cement with and sand combined with an active waterproofing agent. These systems include metallic, crystalline, chemical additive and acrylic modified systems. These systems can be applied as negative or positive side waterproofing.
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Q:What is a fluid applied membrane system?
A:Fluid Applied Waterproof Systems As you might imagine, Fluid Applied waterproofing systems come in liquid form. They include urethanes, liquid rubber coating, plastics and modified asphalts. Fluid membranes are applied as a liquid and cure to form one monolithic seamless sheet. Fluid systems can be applied to vertical and horizontal applications. For foundation wall applications typical fluid applied systems are 60 mils in thickness.
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Q:How can I keep my masonry surfaces water-repellent
A:Waterproofing Masonry Surfaces When the effects of repeated freezing and thawing start cracking up your concrete, brick, and stone it's time to give them a clear water repellent coating. This will decrease water absorption, which leads to cracking, and keep your surfaces looking sharp. You can buy water repellents in both water- and solvent-based formulations. You may need to apply water-based mixes more often, but not to worry. They are less malodorous (smelly) and are safer both for you and the environment. Because they are thin and nonelastic, neither type of coating will seal cracks in the surface. Here are a few tips on waterproofing to help you get the best possible results waterproofing your masonry surfaces: ? Always test a coating on a small, inconspicuous area before beginning work to make sure that you will be happy with the results. Please note that some water repellents are designed to be applied to specific materials only, so read the product label before you buy. ? Don't use heavy-duty commercial coatings because they leave an undesirable glossy finish.
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Q:How are water repellent coatings applied?
A:Applying Waterproof Coatings Need some tips on waterproofing? You've come to the right place.Water repellent coatings can be brushed, rolled, or sprayed on, depending on the size of the surface to be treated. For either water- or solvent-based coating, you will definitely need a paintbrush for painting around the edges (called cutting-in). If you're rolling the coating on, use a synthetic roller cover (use a long-napped one for rough surfaces) and a roller pan. Spraying requires low-pressure (20 psi) spray equipment with a stainless-steel, fan-tip nozzle. You will also need plastic dropcloths to protect adjacent surfaces and landscaping. Be sure to wear eye protection and rubber gloves when applying the product.
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Q:How do I waterproof concrete?
A:Waterproofing concrete If you are a brave soul and want to tackle the job, here are a few tips on waterproofing concrete to help make the whole project go more smoothly. 1) Make sure all surfaces are structurally sound and clean. 2) Repair concrete cracks. 3) Wirebrush and/or scrape clean. 4) Remove paint. 5) Apply waterproofing to a damp surface. 6) Use proper safety equipment, I.e.safety glasses,gloves,etc.
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Q:What is that white chalky substance on the walls?
Efflorescence If you can rule out your two-year old's artwork, chances are that white chalky stuff on your basement wall is known as Efflorescence, which is Latin for "white chalky stuff." Efflorescence is a kind of psoriasis that concrete gets when it is damp for too long. You see, Johnny, concrete is made of lime cement and stone. The white chalky stuff just tells you that the bonding agent that holds your wall together is having a chemical breakdown. If left untreated, the water inside your foundation wall will, over time, leech the lime cement out of the wall, leaving nothing to hold it together, which could lead to your nervous breakdown. Want some water damage advice before it happens? Prevent it from happening and keep your eyes on those walls!
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