Importance of Elastomeric properties of Roof Waterproofing Coating
Is the elongation of a product that important when it comes to waterproofing, For example, a concrete roof?
We believe it is not nearly as important as many people seem to believe and here's why.
International test standards ISO 37-2005 / ASTM D -638, can be used to determine the elongation at the breaking point of any elastomeric linings.
"Concrete Roofs expand or contract as the temperature outside increases and decreases over the day. This demands the use of a roofing product with high elongation, such as an elastomeric roof coating."
We say that the elongation of a spray-applied elastomeric lining isn't as important as it seems to believe when used as a waterproofing coating for roof slabs.
It's because the product's elongation capability is only usable when it's in a free film state, not when it's securely adhered to the concrete substrate.
The elastomeric lining cannot elongate once it has securely adhered to the concrete substrate. It is firmly adhered in place and can no longer stretch.
If a crack arises in the concrete substrate beneath the firmly adherent lining, the lining has a very restricted surface area over which to elongate and cannot elongate as it might during the elongation at break test when it was in a free film state.
In addition, other elements will impact whether a lining tears and when it does not once a crack forms beneath it. It takes into account the lining's thickness, tensile strength, and the level of adhesion between the lining and the concrete substrate.
Our experience indicates that these elements have a significantly higher influence on a product's ability not to tear than free film elongation.
Crack bridging properties - DIN EN 1062-7 Procedure C.2 is a more relevant test to consider when determining a lining's potential to withstand future substrate cracking.
This test is more relevant than depending solely on elongation at break test data. We shall discuss this in a later article.
Question? What kind of catastrophic substrate collapse would be required for a liner to require 500% elongation? Certainly, the building would have some severe structural engineering issues.
For example, if you do not follow basic procedures and apply a 500 per cent elongation product inappropriately over an expansion joint, it may fail at 250 per cent elongation.
Numerous variables can impact that joint, including those relating to building methods, material selection, ambient temperature and quality of materials used, joint placement with both physical and environmental influences, and workmanship quality.
Elongation of an elastomeric lining serves a purpose, in most cases, the practical on-site difference between an elastomeric waterproofing lining with 600 per cent elongation and one with 500 per cent elongation is negligible. It is merely a promotional tool rather than a realistic reality.
There are different types of coating available with different chemistry, We can only decide which suite were only on-site inspection and understanding the requirements.
We also offer on-site technical support, but most of our clients do not wish to pay for it. Most of the time, the applicators who have won the job because they are the cheapest are also the least experienced; rest assured, the project will be a disaster!
Our experts are competent enough to handle complicated jobs like swimming pool waterproofing and leak-proofing works. Leak detection and solving the same is our speciality.
There are many methods and many options to solve the leaks, always call us with all the available details.
Good thing is that about 50% per cent of all phone calls we get from worried pool owners about a leak normally should turn out to be inexpensive to solve.
