How We Waterproof
Most waterproofing fails at a joint. Spray-applied polyurea does not have any — it goes down as one continuous membrane, bonded to the surface, and it is walkable within minutes rather than days.
Eco-Friendly Green Roofs in BC: Polyurea Waterproofing Advantages
A properly designed green roof system enhances a roof structure by including essential components such as robust waterproofing, a system to prevent root penetration, effective drainage, a specially formulated lightweight growing medium, and a variety of plant life.
According to the website Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, green roofs provide the following key advantages:
- Aesthetic Improvements
- Waste Diversion
- Stormwater Management
- Moderation of Urban heat
- Improved Air Quality
- New Amenity Spaces
- Energy Efficiency
Polyurea is spray applied membrane allowing for an application that can be done seamlessly / monolithically. This provides a more secure and waterproof layer before you add your organics on top.
Polyurea applications also have the additional benefit that they can contain root inhibitors. This will prevent roots from growing into it. This will prevent any damage to the waterproof status of your roof.
Compared to:
Before polyurea, traditional roofing methods for flat roofs include a torch on membrane, with joints every 3 feet. These joints are a potential risk point for leakage. The lifespan of a torch-on membrane is 12 to 15 years before the whole green roof must be removed and the roofing membrane pulled up (labour intensive) and then re-applied.
Polyurea applications are intended to last the life of the project. Polyurea provides both a cost-saving and risk mitigation to your green roof.
Convenience and flexibility:
New Green Roof: Polyurea can be applied directly to the roof substrate (plywood for example), allowing for the flexibility to work with projections such as vents, curves in design or vertical transitions. This will save both time and labour.
Green roof applied to an existing structure: A polyurea-sprayed liner can be attached over the existing roof, tied into the existing drains and other contours, vents etc. There is no need to remove the existing roof, a further cost saving. Additionally, by not having to remove the pre-existing roof, we are not adding materials to the landfill which is another key eco-friendly building advantage.
Polyurea is the clear choice when you design a green roof. Westcoast Waterproofing is a leading polyurea application company in British Columbia with the experience and equipment to make your designs a reality. A reality that will last!
The Video below shows Westcoast Waterproofing demonstrating the versatility and flexibility of polyurea as it’s applied to a mock roof, including vents and vertical surfaces.
What is Blindside Waterproofing?
Blindside waterproofing is different than what most people know as below-grade waterproofing.
Below-grade waterproofing is applied to poured foundation walls whereas blindside waterproofing is applied before the actual foundation is poured. Blindside waterproofing is done over a retention system and is something that should only be done by an expert.
When to use blindside waterproofing?
Blindside is often the best or only solution on projects where the property lines and or nearby structures limit any excavation or make access difficult for the more traditional methods of waterproofing. A common project may include “zero lot line” foundation walls or builds in a higher density located job-site.
The Video…
Phil Aitken from West Coast waterproofing talks about the process of Blindside Waterproofing.
West Coast Waterproofing Ltd operates across British Columbia and this specific project is being done in Courtney British Columbia on Vancouver Island.
Blindside waterproofing was needed here as there would not be access to the back side of the wall once it’s poured. In order to waterproof the foundation, we will need to pre-apply the membrane before the concrete is poured, essentially waterproofing the substrate before it’s completed. In this example, you can see the shotcrete wall, retention wall done at the property line of the structure that is to be built. We then apply a layer of drainage mat to the shotcrete wall to allow any water to flow down to the internal drain system of the building. Next, we apply a membrane applied over the top of the drainage mat. The membrane is a proprietary product that is pressure-sensitive. Once the concrete gets poured against it fully bonds with the concrete and it will not allow lateral or vertical migration of water whatsoever.
The waterproofing system now being in place, the next step will be for the rebar crew to do their installation. Once the rebar is done a one-sided form will be built and concrete poured and the final wall will be completely waterproof.
West Coast Waterproofing has worked for companies such as CN rail resurfacing bridge decks.
The same or similar rapid-setting two-component process/membrane can be applied to railway (ballast) or standard road (asphalt) bridge decks.
Some of the key advantages of having West Coast Waterproofing handle bridge surfacing projects anywhere in B.C.
- Time – The rapid setting system allows for a much faster return to service process over traditional methods. The membrane cures in seconds, even in cold temperatures, and can accept ballast and asphalt overtop within one hour. This saves key labour cost dollars! When we talk about a return to service time, vehicular traffic at highway speeds can be accepted after only one hour of a complete installation.
- Temperature – The waterproof membrane can be sprayed in as low as -50 degree temperature without any effects on the time to cure. This allows for more versatility in scheduling and planning for ongoing or required projects to be completed in a year!
- Versatility – The waterproof membrane can be sprayed horizontally, vertically, or overhead at any required thickness. Once complete you’ll end up with a seamless waterproof membrane, even on irregular surfaces. Crack bridging capable!
- Meets Standards – The products we use meet or exceed the standards required. Information on specific products can be supplied based on your project.
- Environmentally Friendly – The products we use for this process are made from 100% solids with no VOCs
Save Time, Save Dollars, and Help the Environment.
Contact us to learn more about the whole process and how West Coast Waterproofing and make a real difference now, and into the future for your bridge deck projects.
West Coast Waterproofing specializes in sealing or repairing parkades and parking lots.
This service applies to:
- Municipal parking garages and parkades
- Commercial building parkades
- Retail Mall parkades
- Strata & Condo parking and parkades
- Hotel and Resort parkades
- Convention Centre parkades
Parking structures have several points at risk for leaking that must be sealed. Foundation and support walls often form cracks in the concrete allowing surface and groundwater to seep in. This runs the risk of freeze-thaw damage to the walls and potential damage to any property stored in the structure. We often solve this problem through a process call Chemical Grouting.
The surfaces of the parking structure are vulnerable to water damage both through freeze-thaw and general damage through water penetration. In conjunction with that, any water passing through the surface can also cause serious damage to the finish of any vehicle parked below. A new or renewed traffic coating system is often the best way to revitalize and protect your parking structure surface for years to come.
Raised curbs, planters and water features are often a source of surface leaks and must be prepared and sealed properly. Polyurea has been a great application to solve this concern.
All of these issues can be prevented or corrected saving costly insurance claims in the future. For surfaces, we evaluate the current water penetration or risk and will apply products such as polyurea or a surface membrane as required and suggested. We can design, apply waterproofing solutions to your new construction or repair any leaking or membrane failures to your current parking lot and parkade anywhere in BC.
Shot Blasting, or media blasting as it’s sometimes referred, is another service offered by West Coast Waterproofing. Surface preparation is one area that deserves far more attention than it’s often given. Shot Blasting is one of the tools we have in our inventory to help prepare many surfaces for whatever medium is scheduled to be applied.
Make sure to reserve our shot blasting surface for your commerical or industrial job sites best preparation.
Shot Blasting can be used:
- To prepare surfaces such as steel, concrete and asphalt.
- To remove top layers like paint and epoxy.
- To improve skid resistance on surfaces such as sidewalks, walkways, floors, bike paths, roads and runways.
- To remove markings & rubber from bridge decks and walkways, runways, industrial floors and more.
- To generate visual effects on surfaces
Environmentally friendly:
The Blastrac closed-circuit media shot blasting machine we use throws steel abrasive media by centrifugal force at the surface. After the steel abrasive hits the surface, the shot blaster recycles the media. Dust and contaminants are removed by an air wash separator and are removed to a dedicated Blastrac dust collector. This makes the process almost dust-free in operation.
Shot blasting with steel shot is the most environmentally friendly abrasive blasting method there is because there is no use of chemical products and no waste of valuable drinking water.
** description courtesy of the Blastrac website
Why a polyurethane pedestrian traffic coating?
Pedestrian stairs, and walkways will last longer and “perform” better when they have a waterproof coating to protect them. Bare concrete will absorb water which leads to the eventual degradation of the stairs or walkway.
The slip-resistant surface will also protect those walking or climbing. This can be extremely important for strata properties, and industrial, commercial and retail applications.
Often rooms, storage spaces or equipment is located under exposed walkways and stairways. The protective polyurethane coating will seal the surface to prevent water leaks or ingress into the structure and below.
Why use Polyurethane Pedestrian Coating?
- Long-lasting for most horizontal applications
- Slip resistance to protect pedestrians
- Visual enhancement – far better than exposed concrete
- Protects cracks and joints in the concrete.
- Protects what may be underneath the walkway or stairway
When to use a Pedestrian Traffic coating?
The multi-stage process of polyurethane coating can be applied on either new fully cured concrete or a properly prepared refurbished existing concrete. walkway.
Ask us about how a Pedestrian waterproof coating and save you money.
Water Features and Fountains can add so much
Having a pond, river, or fountain on your property or in front of your building can add curb appeal, a sense of calm, and a place to relax. Sit listening to the sounds of the water as it flows or looking at the gentle reflections of the surrounding landscape.
Traditionally heavy rubber membranes are laid down and seam-sealed to help maintain the water in the structure. These are heavy, hard to place, limit creativity and often leak over time.
We use a special cloth to line the water feature and then use spray-applied polyurea to create a water-tight form that can conform to any design. Even better, your pond, river, or fountain will remain water-tight for many years to come.
We can work with almost any shape or design and due to the shorter time frame to apply, our system is often more cost-effective than the traditional or older methods.