Spring 2009

Tunnel Megaprojects
Above-Grade Horizontal Surfaces
Options in Spray Equipment
Iron Bacteria

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VOLTEX® Bentonite Geotextile Waterproofing WATERSTOP-RX® Concrete Joint Watesrstop HYDRO-PAC® Salt Tolerant Biodegradeable Drilling Support Fluid
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• Ideal for small, confined spaces or hard-to-get-at applications,
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science specialists at 800-486-1278 or visit us at www.henry.com
Inside This Issue
Features
12 Options in Spray Equipment: Publisher
Summit Publishing, LLC
Spray equipment is standard for every waterproofing
contractor. Whether you’re looking to upgrade existing
Advertising Manager
12
equipment, or simply become more efficient, here’s what
you should look for.
Craig Shorts

16 Tunnel Vision: Waterproofing a Megaproject: Editorial Director

Tunnels are typically a massive job for waterproofers, Clark Ricks
sometimes presenting literally miles of passages that

16
needed to be sealed.
Contributing Editors
Steve Andras
22 Above-Grade Waterproofing: Horizontal Surfaces Chris Bryntesen
Parking garages, plaza decks, rooftop terraces, and Stacy Byrd
balconies require specialized waterproofing solutions that John Goodman

22
can withstand wear, abrasion, and corrosive chemicals. Mosby Lawrence

Circulation Manager
Departments Monica Hall

6 Comment: The Worst is Past

Art Director
8 Waterproof! News Brad Moulton

26 Technically Speaking: On the Cover:

Iron Bacteria The Beijing #5 subway
by Steve Andras line is an outstanding
example of the
28 On the Market
challenges faced by

30 Coming Up... tunnel waterproofers.

Photo Courtesy: Cetco Summit Publishing
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Mapleton, UT, 84664-3761
toll free: 877-229-9174
editorial: ext. 2
advertising: ext. 1

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fax: 801-494-3232
Waterproof! would like to know what you think about this issue. Let us know www.waterproofmag.com
what you want to see featured as well as what you’d like to change. Email the
editor with your comments at editor@waterproofmag.com, or write to us at: Volume 3 Number 2
Waterproof! is published quarterly by Summit
Waterproof! Magazine Publishing, LLC, 884 East 700 North, Mapleton,

884 East 700 North
Mapleton, UT, 84664
Be sure to include your name, address, and a daytime telephone number. Letters
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Copyright © 2008 by Summit Publishing . All
rights reserved. Printed in the USA. Waterproof!
Magazine is a trademark of Summit Publishing.

4 WATERPROOF!
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Comment: The Worst is Past
A
s the 2009 construction season gets under way, I’m
cautiously optimistic that the worst is behind us.
The construction slowdown has been one of the
most dramatic in recent memory. Home starts dropped from
1.7 million in 2005 to an estimated 500,000 this year. That’s a
drop of more than 70%! It’s tough for any business, in any sector
of the economy, to deal with a 70% drop in business.
Luckily, most waterproofing businesses aren’t entirely
tied to residential housing starts. Between flood remediation,
basement remodeling, commercial work, and foundation repair,
they have been able to weather the downturn in reasonably
good shape.
And we may have already hit bottom. Recent economic
data indicates that construction starts are inching upwards.
February housing starts unexpectedly jumped 22%, much more
than economists had predicted. President Obama has pledged
a new round of stimulus spending to stave off foreclosures and
motivate first-time homebuyers.
PM04054LIB 3/18/05 10:52 AM Page 1
6 WATERPROOF!
Editor’s Note
To be clear, these measures will not
end the current recession immediately.
Housing prices will continue to fall.
The reckless financial executives that
created this recession are receiving
million-dollar bonuses, even as their
companies are on taxpayer-funded life by Clark Ricks
support. It will take time to resolve
these issues.
But the fact remains that America is resilient. It is already
starting to recover. The nation recovered from the hyperinflation
and unemployment of the early 1980s, when conditions were
much worse than they are now, and the nation will recover from
this recession as well.
The upturn will not be rapid, and complete recovery may be
a year or two away, but I do believe the worst is behind us. 
 POLYGUARD UNDERSEAL™™
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WAT E R P R O O F I N G T E C H N O L O G Y

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YOUR SLAB
SLAB DESERVES
DESERVES

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Phone: 800-541-4994 Fax: 972-875-9425

website: www.polyguardproducts.com

Home Prices Fall,
Construction Starts Rise
Even as home prices continue their
record-setting declines, signs of hope are
emerging in the residential construction
market.
Housing starts in the U.S.
unexpectedly rose in February, ending
the longest series of declines in 18 years.
The annual rate of 583,000 homes was
a 22% rise from January, and was likely
influenced by warmer weather and an
82% surge in multifamily construction.
Analysts say that a sustained
turnaround is still months away, and
may not begin until 2010, due to the glut
of unsold properties on the market. But
these numbers indicate that the worst
may be behind us.
“You get the sense from a lot of
the data coming out now that we’re
beginning to get to a bottom,” says
Nariman Behravesh, chief economist at
IHS Global Insight in Lexington, Mass.
President Barack Obama, knowing
that foreclosures are a major obstacle to
getting residential construction moving
again, has pledged a $275-billion rescue
to help keep 9 million borrowers in their
homes. His efforts also include a tax break
of $8,000 for first-time homebuyers.
The oversupply of homes is
forcing prices down. Prices in the 20
metropolitan areas tracked by Standard
& Poor’s continue to fall at record rates.
As of November, average home prices are
at similar levels to what they were in the
first quarter of 2004. From their peak in
mid-2006, the 20-city composite index is
down 25%.
Moody’s Economy.com said home
prices will slide another 11% before
stabilizing.
“The bottom of the housing
downturn is within sight for the nation,”
said Mark Zandi, chief economist of
Economy.com.
“Presuming we see strong action
8 WATERPROOF!
WATERPROOF! News
by policymakers to help support the
economy and the housing market, prices
will begin to recover by the end of this
year.”
Trade Show Report
Attendance at both the World of
Concrete and the International Builders’
Show this year were down significantly, a
somewhat expected result of the current
weak economy.
The National
Association of Home
Builders (NAHB),
which sponsors the
IBS show, reported
60,000 attendees.
That’s down signi-
ficantly from the 90,000 that came to the
2008 show in Orlando.
However, many of the waterproofing
product manufacturers reported they
were pleasantly surprised by the number
of leads the show produced, given the
economy. Most noted an increase in
serious inquiries and fewer “tire kickers.”
World of Concrete, which was held
two weeks later on the same show floor,
showed a similar drop in attendance:
about 65,000 instead of the nearly 85,000
that came for last year’s show. That’s a
drop of 23%.
Interestingly, at WOC the number of
exhibitors and square footage of exhibits
was down a mere 3%.
“We anticipated attendance would
be down,” said Tom Cindric, WOC
show director. “We communicated that
to our exhibitors and set some realistic
expectations. Some companies are
having more leads than last year, some
are having less, but most are saying the
right people are here.”
Many exhibitors said they had
been prepared for a slower show, and
others noted that just being there was
important—especially when business is
down.
Most of the major waterproofing
manufacturers stayed away from IBS,
choosing to maximize their exposure
at WOC. As in years past, most
waterproofing booths were in the south
hall, where business remained brisk.
The NAWSRC held their annual
meeting in conjunction with WOC at an
off-site location.
Sika Buys Liquid Membrane
Company
Sika AG, a global supplier of
specialty chemicals has acquired Iotech
Group Ltd., a waterproofing coatings
manufacturer. The transaction closed
on January 26, 2009 for an undisclosed
amount.
In the U.S.A., London-based Iotech
is best known as Liquid Plastics Inc.
and enjoys a strong market position
in liquid membranes for roofing and
waterproofing applications. In a press
release detailing the acquisition, Sika
noted that the coatings are primarily
used on small to medium-sized roofs, a
“highly profitable and crisis-resistant”
market. It also noted that “market
growth is disproportionately high,
outperforming the construction market
as a whole.”
Sika’s construction business
activities already include roofing, joint
sealing, concrete repair, and protection.
With the acquisition, Sika substantially
expands market position in polyurethane
liquid membranes for roofing and food-
grade wall coatings.
Because of these strong synergies,
Sika will integrate Liquid Plastics into its
Construction Products Division in hopes
of strengthening its market position and
promote the Liquid Plastics product line
throughout North America.
 Approximately 250 employees are
expected to join Sika. The company plans
to continue operating the state-of-the-
art production facility in Middletown,
Conn.

Closed Crawlspace Patent

Disqualified
The U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office (USPTO) has ruled that enclosed
crawlspaces are not a technology that
can be patented.
Confusion on the issue arose
last year when the USPTO issued a
patent for crawlspace encapsulation.
Most contractors that install enclosed
crawlspaces continued with their
business, unaware that a patent had even
been issued. But several petitioned the
USPTO to reexamine the approval.
The result was that in November of
2008, the USPTO cancelled the patent.
“When an issued patent is reexamined
and cancelled in full, it is as if the patent
was never issued,” says Hunter Yancey, a
patent attorney with Tautman & Sanders
in Atlanta, Ga.
Contractors can continue to enclose
crawlspaces without fear of infringing on
anyone’s patent.

Tremco Wins National

Recognition
Beachwood, Ohio-based Tremco
Inc. received national recognition for the
green roof they installed on the Clinton
Presidential Library.
They were recognized by the
Washington, D.C.-based Center for
Environmental Innovation in Roofing at
the International Roofing Expo held in
Las Vegas Feb. 3-5, 2009.
Tremco was honored with the
“Excellence in Design for Best Vegetated
Roof ” award.
“We are honored to receive the
center’s design award for the Clinton
Library’s vegetated roof,” said Deryl
Kratzer, president of Tremco’s Roofing
and Building Maintenance, which
installed the roof. “The design is both
beautiful and highly functional.”

Spring 2009 9
WR_Meadows-Perminator Ad
The Next
Generation
of Vapor
Protection
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EE
00
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2-5 le –
PERMINATOR® 10 and 15 mil underslab
vapor barriers are a new generation
of polyolefin-based resin/chemical
technology. PERMINATOR helps to
reduce the penetration of moisture and
water vapor through the slab into the
structure, thereby helping to reduce
fungus, mildew and mold growth.
PERMINATOR also helps reduce radon
gas from entering the structure.
PERMINATOR is tough enough to
withstand normal construction jobsite
conditions and traffic. It will not crack,
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W. R. MEADOWS, INC.
300 Industrial Drive
P.O. Box 338
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Phone: (847) 214-2100
(800) 342-5976
www.wrmeadows.com
10 WATERPROOF!
Formally named The William J.
Clinton Presidential Library, the building
has been certified LEED Platinum
by the U.S. Green Building Council
(USGBC). In addition to the living
roof, the building incorporates recycled
materials and other environmentally
friendly components, solar lighting, and
Re a subsurface capillary drainage system to
qu
save water.
The roof ’s membrane, insulation
97 call
6t and pavers were also recycled, reducing
od
ay
! landfill waste. Installing a new membrane
and flashings over the existing membrane
provided an impermeable waterproofing
system while preserving much of the
original roofing system.
“The environmental and economic
benefit of forward-thinking roof design
can be quite significant, as demonstrated
by Tremco’s Clinton Presidential Library,”
said Craig Silvertooth, who presented
the award.
SWRI Chooses New Board
The Sealant, Waterproofing &
Restoration Institute (SWRI) has selected
a new board of directors. The choices
were made at the recent 2009 Winter
Technical Meeting, held in St. Thomas,
U.S. Virgin Islands.
The board will serve for two years.
F r a n k
Ha l s e y,
of Mid-
Continental
Restoration
C o m p a n y,
Inc. in Fort
Scott, Kan.
was elected
president.
H a l s e y
intends
to focus his presidency on increasing
brand awareness, marketing of SWRI’s
validation programs and increasing
membership.
Jed Daniel, of Seager Waterproofing,
Inc. in Greensboro, NC, was voted
president-elect. Dan Cain, of The George
D. Alan Company in Irving, Texas was
elected secretary/treasurer. The final
member of the executive committee
is outgoing president Eric Johnson of
Allied Waterproofing, Inc., Milwaukee,
Wis.
Other new members of the board
include Steven Bentz, Robert Forrer,
David Gladney, Dave Kimball, and
Mackey Welch.
They join half a dozen others who
were already serving on the board. A
full list of the 2009-2010 SWRI board of
directors, with contact information, is
available at www.swrionline.org.
NAWSRC Regional Meeting
Set
The National Association of
Waterproofers and Structural Repair
Contractors (NAWSRC) has scheduled
its first regional meeting of 2009. It will
be held in Chicago Ill. on May 22 and 23.
The two-day event will consist
primarily of educational seminars, and
is intended to help real estate agents
and service professionals understand
the importance of waterproofing, and
options for foundation structural repair.
“Our hope is that they will not only
benefit from the informative seminars,
but also the networking and possible
leads,” says Steve Andras, chairman
of the regional meeting and owner of
Pioneer Basement Waterproofing.
For more information or to register,
visit www.nawsrc.org, or contact Claudia
Clemons at 800-245-6292.
Green Roof Course
Available
American Hydrotech is offering a
free online course on green roofs for the
architectural community. Titled Green
Roofs: A Sustainable Strategy, it allows
architects to earn one AIA/CES learning
unit, including one hour of health, safety
and welfare credit.
At least three other organizations,
CSI, ASLA, and RCI have also certified
this course. More information on the
class is available at www.hydrotechusa.
com. 
 International Leak Detection (ILD®)
is the worldwide leader of integrity testing technology.

Why do this...

Historically, flood testing was utilized to confirm that waterproofing and

roofing membranes were watertight. However, flood testing has many
drawbacks, especially when comparing it to the latest EFVM® testing
method only used by ILD®’s trained and certified technicians. When this can be done!

EFVM® vs Flood Testing

ILD® technicians use EFVM® testing to pinpoint exact Only proves the capability of a waterproofing mem-
breaches in membranes without relying on wet spots within brane to HOLD water; it cannot locate breaches or
the insulation or visual confirmation of a breach. verify the absence of any breaches.

EFVM® requires as little as a spray of water or existing May actually cause more damage with membrane
water within the overburden to test waterproofing. breaches from the required amount of flood water.

EFVM®’s technology can be used on flat, sloped and verti- Sloped or vertical surfaces cannot be flood tested.
cal surfaces.

Testing can occur after all work is completed and over- Expensive and time-consuming, often causing delays
burden is installed. in overburden installation and roof completion.

Any breach allowing even minute amounts of water will Pinholes and minor seam voids escape flood testing
conduct electricity to complete a circuit, measurable by detection which could subsequently cause mold or
the ILD® technician. structural decay.

The contractor can repair the defects found and have them Water infiltration damage from flood testing often
retested the same day. restrains retesting.

EFVM®’s non-destructive method reads through all typical Garden roofs prohibit flood testing.
water-permeable overburden mediums such as soil, sand,
crushed stone, pavers, asphalt, and un-reinforced con-
crete

Copyright © 2009 International Leak Detection (ILD®) | All Rights Reserved

Contact ILD® today! USA : Phone: 847.993.3030 | Toll-Free: 866.282.LEAK | Fax: 847.292.4404
Canada : Phone: 905.479.EFVM | Toll-Free: 866.282.LEAK | Fax: 905.479.4185
www.leak-detection.com
 Truck-mounted spray pumps are convenient. Some units
are small enough that the tank, heater, pump, reel and hoses
will easily fit in the bed of a standard pickup. The unit is
hard-wired into the vehicle’s electrical system, and use the
engine’s coolant system to heat the waterproofing material.

Options in
Spray Equipment

Photos Courtesy: Aaron Kuertz/Applied Technologies

E
very waterproofer needs a spray According to Chris Bryntesen at C.J. Center says, “Our equipment can spray a
pump. Whether the business Spray, a major manufacturer of pumping wide variety of waterproofing products as
specializes in commercial or equipment, the best place to start is to long as it’s a self-leveling, single material.
residential projects, above-grade or choose the waterproofing product. Commercial contractors will usually
below-grade, it’s probably the most “The biggest problem with spray different products on different
critical—and expensive—piece of equip- waterproofing is that you can’t flip-flop jobs depending on what’s specc’d. On
ment the company owns. products,” he explains. “Waterproofing residential, typically the waterproofer
“Foundation waterproofing spray materials are very thick and very heavy, can use his preferred product.”
equipment can be the biggest capital and don’t flush out of the equipment very Still, both admit that a contractor
expenditure for a waterproofing easily. I’m not saying it can’t be done, I’m that does a lot of waterproofing will
contractor when they are generally have different pumps
starting out,” acknowledges
Aaron Kuertz at Applied
"Foundation waterproofing spray for different products.
Kuertz points out that real
Technologies. “So it’s equipment can be the biggest waterproofing is different than
important to purchase dampproofing. Dampproofing
the right piece of spray capital expenditure" stops water vapor from
equipment. Too large of a penetrating into the living
piece of equipment and it may be difficult just saying you don’t want to do it day area of the basement, but it does not
to stay afloat. Too small and you may not after day.” stop water under hydrostatic pressure or
be able to spray enough foundations in a John Goodman, National Sales bridge cracks in a foundation.
day for your customers.” Manager at Spray Equipment and Service True waterproofing material must

12 WATERPROOF!
meet three criteria:
• It must stop water vapor from
penetrating to the interior.
• It must span shrinkage cracks that
develop in a foundation wall.
• It must prevent water under
hydrostatic pressure from pene-
trating into the basement.
Water-Base Vs. Solvent-
Base
Waterproofing materials come in
two basic varieties: emulsion-based
materials that use water as the carrier
agent, and solvent-based materials that
use naptha or another solvent as their
base. Each has its advantages.
Water-based coatings have no
solvent fumes, which means less health
risks and less personal protective
equipment for the applicator. The
coating won’t damage plastics or foam,
and equipment can be cleaned with
water. Perhaps most importantly, water-
based coatings can be applied to damp
surfaces. This is a major advantage
MOISTURE HAS MET ITS MATCH.
Valéron® Strength Film makes your
product better. Better moisture
resistance. Better protection from
mold. Better use Valéron® Strength
Film to make your product the best.
in situations where rain has fallen, or
wet soil has been removed to expose a
foundation that needs to be treated.
The disadvantage, of course, is that
it can be washed off if rain falls before
it is fully cured. Also, emulsion-based
coatings must be protected from freezing
temperatures—in storage, transport, and
during application.
Solvent-based coatings, on the
other hand, are not damaged by freezing
temperatures, which makes them a
popular choice in northern climates. But
applicators must wear special protective
clothing and respirators, and the coatings
can’t be applied to damp surfaces.
The critical difference for spray
equipment is that solvent-based
materials are applied hot. “Emulsion
materials require little or no heating of
the material,” says Kuertz. “Solvent-based
materials usually must be heated to 130-
150 degrees in order to spray. Because
a basement waterproofing contractor
needs a sprayer that will do the job
reliably and quickly, the best method of
• Commercial Air Barrier
• Underlayment Films
• Valéron VortecTM
• Flashing Tape
1-800-VALERON VALERONSTRENGTH.COM
Some units are cabinetized, and have their own
engines and heating systems, so contractors can
use either a trailer or a flat-bed truck to get them
from job to job.
spraying a solvent-based material is to
have a heated tank system.”
Solvent-based spray systems have
in-tank heaters, insulated hoses, and
other components that aren’t necessary
for water-based sprayers.
Bryntesen, however, cautions that
heaters are a good idea regardless of
the type of system is used. “A lot of the
asphalt-based guys say you can get by
without an heater, but you can work a
longer season if your equipment has one,”
he says. He says water-based materials
gets twice as thick every 20 degree (F)
drop in temperature.
Spring 2009 13
 “If the material sprays well at 70
degrees, it may not when the temperature
drops to 50. So even if the customer is
using an emulsion-based system, I’m still
going to recommend a heater to him. It
lets you spray in colder weather, and it
makes it easier to push through 200 ft of
hose.”
Components
A spray rig will always have a few
basic components: a tank, a pump, some
sort of heating system, hose, reel, and
spray gun. The equipment can either
be mounted on a flat-bed truck or a
separate trailer, depending on its size and
complexity.
The Tank: These vary from simple
100-gallon totes to truck-mounted giants
holding 500 gallons or more. Emulsion-
based systems can sometimes be pumped
directly from the drum.
Goodman cautions that plastic tanks
may not hold up well if the contractor is
using a solvent-based material.
The Heater: Nearly all heat
exchangers use engine coolant as a heat
source. Truck-mounted pumps are
connected to the engine’s cooling system.
Trailer-mounted spray equipment
usually have a separate gas or diesel
engine powering the pump, which also
provides the heat for the exchanger.
The Pump: The pump determines
both the pressure in the tank and the
product’s rate of application. On small
pumps, gas-mechanical devices are
used, since they convert the engine’s
horsepower into fluid movement most
efficiently. Gas-hydraulic systems are
also common, and in larger motor sizes—
more than about 12 horsepower—they
are the only engine-driven system that
lasts.
Many spray rigs use pneumatic
pumps. Bryntesen, at CJ Pump, says
pneumatic pumps cost less and typically
last longer. They also have the advantage
of not producing fumes like gas and
diesel engines do. The catch is that the
contractor also has to transport an air
compressor and hoses on-site in order
14 WATERPROOF!
Tank
Engine
Tank Heater
Pump
for the spray rig to work.
The Hose and Gun: “For ease of use, a
foundation waterproofing sprayer should
have an electric hose reel,” says Kuertz, at
Applied Technologies. “This will allow
a contractor to quickly finish a job and
continue to another. Also, the spray hose
should be insulated and covered with an
abrasion protection sleeve. This will both
keep the waterproofing material at the
proper spray temperature and protect
the hose from damage.” Most rigs come
with 150 or 200 feet of hose.
The spray gun should match the
viscosity and pressure of the fluid, as well
as the desired rate of spray.
Other: “Temperature gauges
should be on both the tank and the
spray hose so that the contractor knows
the temperature of the waterproofing
material,” says Kuertz. “A pressure gauge
is useful for both correct spraying and in
diagnosing any problems that may occur
with the pump.”
If the contractor chooses an
emulsion-based system, the tank needs
to be protected from freezing. A number
of enclosed trailers and heavy duty van
platforms can meet this requirement.
Selecting a Spray Rig
As mentioned above, the first
step in getting a spray rig is selecting a
Hose Reel
Insulated Hose
Pressure Gauges
waterproofing product. “Focus on the
product,” suggests Goodman, “because
the pump is a one-time investment.”
“If he already has a flat-bed truck,”
Goodman continues, “We offer a heated
cabinetized unit that works really well.
It has a 150-gallon tank, heat exchanger,
heated and jacketed hose, the reel, spray
gun, and a Graco GH230 pump.” This
combination sprays 2.1 gallons per
minute.
Applied Technologies offers a truck-
mounted unit small and light enough
to be transported in a standard half- or
three-quarter-ton pick-up.
Keep in mind that any truck-
mounted spray rig must be tied into
the engine coolant system (and electric
system as well) so the truck would be
dedicated to being a pump truck. It
would be committed to that location as
long as the waterproofing job lasts.
That’s why many waterproofers
prefer trailer-mounted units, which they
can drop at the jobsite without having
to tie down a truck. These are typically
larger units. Spray Equipment’s Spray
Hog, for instance, has an 18 horse-power
water-cooled diesel engine, and sprays
at a maximum pressure of 4,000 psi at
four gallons per minute. It comes with
a 55-gallon dip tube, or can be adapted
to a 330 gal tote. “The advantage is
you don’t have to dedicate a vehicle,”
says Goodman. “You don’t have to run
the truck engine; it can be trailerized.
You can drop it off at the site with an
applicator, and then get on with your
day.”
Applied Technologies’ DTS 240
spray rig offers a unique solution to the
difficulties of switching waterproofing
products. It comes with dual 118-gallon
heated tanks, each with its own heat
control and on-off switch so the
applicator can use one spray unit for two
different materials.
Many pump manufacturers sell
components individually, so contractors
can configure their own equipment.
Bryntesen notes that spray rigs can
often be upgraded or reconfigured quite
easily. “We can refit or change a tank,
add a heater, or even add an additional
pump to bottom of the tank for more
viscous products,” he says.
Goodman and Bryntesen note that
many times, pumps really are a one-time
investment. “I have Graco pumps out on
the lot that have lasted 20 years or more,”
Bryntesen says.
Purchasing
Typically, if a contractor contacts
a waterproofing manufacturer and
expresses an interest in becoming a
waterproofer, the material manufacturer
will come out and do a demo, explain
their plan, and the profit potential
involved.
“I don’t know of anyone that rents
the equipment,” says Goodman. “The
manufacturers want a commitment from
the contractor”.
A few, including Spray Equipment
and Service, lease spray rigs, but
Goodman says purchasing is still the
most common option. “Most of the
time, the guys have the cash, or they
have a relationship with a banker in their
own community,” he says. “Especially
if they’re concrete guys getting into
waterproofing, a ten, twelve, or 15,000
dollar system isn’t that big of a deal. I
had a guy come in last week and put an
$8,000 system on his credit card.”
Bryntesen notes that this year is an
especially good time to invest in a spray
rig. “The stimulus package expands
the 179 deduction to include spray
equipment,” he says. “If they’re looking at
buying, they have a temporary window
in which they can use accelerated
depreciation. It’s a good chance to get
equipment that’s going to last a long
time.” 
Spring 2009 15
 The Beijing #5 subway line was bored deep below the
city streets. It was waterproofed using Cetco's bentonite-
geotextile membrane placed between the tunnels
shotcrete lining and the cast-in-place finish.

Tunnel Vision: When the jobsite extends for miles, and waterproofing is
needed on all surfaces, it’s clearly no ordinary project.

WATERPROOFING A MEGAPROJECT All Photos Courtesy Cetco unless otherwise noted

M
an-made tunnels have existed
for thousands of years, and
nearly all of them have used
some sort of water handling system. In
the early days, steam pumps were used to
keep mine shafts dry. Today, membranes
are usually used to keep water from
entering these below-grade passageways
in the first place.
Tunnel waterproofing is
one of the most demanding and
Tunnel waterproofing is one of the
challenging sectors of the industry. most demanding and challenging
“There are all different types of
tunnels, both in construction and
use,” explains Stacy Byrd, National
Products Manager at Cetco, “and that
affects the waterproofing methodology
you’re going to use.”
“For example, a shallow tunnel
will typically be built using cut-and-
cover construction techniques,” he
says. “Deep tunnels, on the other hand,
often use giant tunnel boring machines,
and may require a completely different
waterproofing system.”
Excavation depth, the soil type,
elevation of the water table, and site
access are also issues.
“There are so many different
methods of constructing a tunnel that
the waterproofing solution should
be designed to fit that particular
project design and expected jobsite
sectors of the industry.
conditions.” Byrd states, “To determine
the best waterproofing solution one
must consider how the tunnel will be
constructed. Will it be constructed with
cast-in-place concrete, precast, shotcrete,
or a combination such as a precast
tunnel roof placed onto cast-in-place
walls? Access is also a defining factor in
product selection. Will the waterproofer
have the space to install the membrane
from the exterior or will it be blindside
construction?”
Dave Polk, owner of Epro Services,
has been involved with a number of
complex tunnel projects, including the
underpass tunnel leading to the San Jose
Airport.
Site conditions were difficult, to say
the least. Spilled jet fuel had
contaminated the soil and water
in the area, and the water table
was only six feet below grade.
That meant that even the top of
the tunnel would be below the
water table.
“The first thing that needed to be
done was the installation of construction
wells and pumps—a site dewatering
system,” says Polk. “They built the top
of the tunnel first. They drove pilings
in, then poured corbels and reinforced
concrete beams on that. Once that was
is place, we could waterproof the top.”
By finishing the top first, surface roads
could be opened sooner and minimize

16 WATERPROOF!
 Occasionally, waterproofers use thermoplastic membranes in tunnel work,
such as the top of this mine shaft in Canada. All seams and overlaps are
welded to ensure a continuous, unbroken layer of waterproofing. Rigid PVC
waterstops are often added at the seams and fused to the membrane to confine
any leaks that may occur.
the traffic disturbance.
“We used our spray membrane with
a HDPE [high-density polyethylene]
film over the top,” says Polk. “We knew
it would be covered by paving, so we just
used strip drains for drainage.”
Then they began excavating under
the roof, installing post-tensioned
tiebacks as the work progressed to keep
the pilings stable. The contaminated soil
was removed and a base of structural,
permeable fill was brought it. This
was covered by the waterproofing
membrane, which Polk describes as
a “field composite laminated barrier.”
Basically, it’s a seamless, spray-applied
membrane sandwiched between two
layers of HDPE. The tunnel bottom has to
withstand 20 feet or more of hydrostatic
pressure, so the waterproofing system
here was absolutely critical.
The wall waterproofing was done
blindside. Polk’s crew first applied
a dimple drain sheet, then carefully
sealed around the tiebacks and other
penetrations. They tied this into the top
and bottom waterproofing systems, then
sprayed a final layer of waterproofing
on the walls. Then it was enclosed in
shotcrete.
Decking & Waterproofing Solutions
Engineered for Sustainable Protection
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“We waterproofed all the way aesthetic appeal
around the tunnel, plus the three sides
of the entry and exit ramps,” said Polk.
The job was completed several years
ago, and so far, hasn’t suffered any water
• Pedestrian Decking
penetration.
• Vehicular Decking
Byrd, at Cetco, was involved with • Flat Roof Decking
a massive project in China a few years • Decorative Coatings
ago. The excavation was done with • Waterproofing
an enormous tunnel boring machine Membranes
(TBM). • Underlayments
“The subway tunnel was Mer-Ko’s high-performance systems
waterproofed with a bentonite-geotextile offer long-term solutions that protect
your facility and transform unused
membrane around the circumference areas into functional space. For
of the tunnel,” he said. “The reinforced commercial, industrial, institutional,
recreational, and residential projects
concrete tunnel lining was then cast-in-
– new construction, renovation or
place using slip forms.” maintenance – Mer-Ko offers cost-
Typically TBM tunnels are effective protection solutions.
demanding construction projects. Byrd Contact us today to
says it’s not unusual for TBM tunnels find out more!
to reach depths of 160 feet below the
surface. Mer-Ko Headquarters
Thermoplastic membranes are ParexLahabra, Inc.
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he continues. “Usually the thermoplastic
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seams welded.” Visit us on the Internet at
Working that deep, the tunnel is www.parexmer-ko.com/wtrp08
almost always carved into bedrock. That
Spring 2009 17
presents a challenge for waterproofing
installers, since the sharp edges of the
broken rock can easily puncture the
membrane. “They typically solve the
substrate problem by spraying shotcrete
onto the angular rocks to smooth out
the excavated surface,” says Byrd. “The
waterproofing system is installed over the
prepared substrate. Then the reinforced
tunnel wall —typically constructed with
shotcrete or cast-in-place concrete is
placed.”
According to Byrd, drainage layers
are typically absent in deep tunnels, as

Waterproofing by Epro Services

the pressures are so great that engineers
shy away from anything compressible
outside the tunnel walls. Instead, some
tunnel designs incorporate a PVC
waterstop welded to the interior surface
of the thermoplastic membrane in a grid
pattern, which limits the distance water
can migrate behind the membrane.
An alternate thermoplastic membrane
product incorporates an active polymer
core layer that self-seals at installation
defects in the thermoplastic membrane
Over one million sq. ft. of waterproofing was used on the subway stations of
Vancouver, B.C.'s Canada Line, which runs for nearly 35 miles below the city.
to stop water ingress. tunnel for a given period of time. This
“Many deep tunnel designs still seepage water is collected into interior
allow for a certain amount of leakage,” drainage and then channeled to sumps
notes Byrd. “The project specifications for discharge.”
will spell out how much leakage is This system of drains and pumps
permissible over a defined length of the is often used when the sheer scale of

18 WATERPROOF!
the project prohibits lining the entire
tunnel. For instance, Dave Polk was
tapped to waterproof the Canada Line,
a series of subway tunnels around
Vancouver, B.C., that extend for nearly
35 miles. “Obviously, they didn’t have
the budget to waterproof the entire
35 miles of tunnels,” says Polk. “We
only waterproofed the stations, and the
tunnels immediately adjacent to them.”
Still, just that portion came to over a
million sq. ft. of waterproofing.
“The soils at most of the sites has
strata water, like little springs that come
out of excavated walls. The tunnels were
trenched and shored with soil nails and
shotcrete slurry coats. We installed
a drainage composite on walls, and a The Washington D.C. Blue Line tunnel is an excellent example of cut-and-
spray membrane on the roof. The only cover construction. More than 1.3 million sq. ft. of Voltex DS, a bentonite
waterproofing on the underslab was sheet membrane, was applied to the walls and floor, the top was sealed with
in about a third of the locations, where rubberized asphalt.
there was strata water,” explains Polk.
On this job, they installed the underslab tunnels and shallow earth tunnels you waterproofing the Washington D.C.
barrier first, then waterproofed the walls, will get into situations where you want subway “Blue Line.”
and finished with the ceiling. drainage,” agrees Byrd. “It was cast-in-place, cut-and-cover
“With a lot of the cut-and-cover Cetco was involved with construction,” he explains. “Because it

Spring 2009 19
The St. Louis Metro-Link used a bentonite membrane on walls and a butyl the membrane is not damaged and stays
rubber on precast roof sections (left and center). Entire pre-cast tunnels like in direct contact with the bottom of the
this one in Stamford, Conn. (right) are becoming increasingly common. precast section when they are set into
was going through residential sections concrete. The lid of this tunnel, however, place.
of the community, they couldn’t used pre-cast sections. The arched Whether it’s a precast utility tunnel,
overexcavate and had to pour the tunnel precast tunnel roof was waterproofed a cut-and–cover rail line, or a gaping
walls directly onto the soil retention with an adhered bentonite-butyl rubber passageway bored deep beneath a
system. We provided a bentonite- membrane that tied to the bentonite- mountain, all tunnels need some sort of
geotextile membrane that was installed geotextile membrane used on the wall. dewatering system.
to the soil retention wall prior to the Byrd notes that precast concrete And that’s helping keep companies
concrete placement. The bentonite is becoming more common in tunnel afloat in a troubled economy. “We’ve
geotextile membrane was also used construction. Many small shallow found that because residential has gone
underslab over the gravel substrate.” tunnels like utility corridors are down to nothing, the waterproofers
In St. Louis, on another cut-and- constructed using craned-in-place that have survived have branched into
cover job, they also used a bentonite precast sections. One of the primary commercial, usually some type of
sheet on the walls and underslab, which challenges with waterproofing these specialty commercial,” says Polk. 
was constructed with cast-in-place precast tunnels, claims Byrd, is ensuring

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 This parking lot, located on the roof of a car dealership in
Tucson, Ariz., demonstrates the demands placed on horizontal
waterproofing: extreme temperature swings, UV radiation,
chemical corrosion, and constant abrasion.

Above-Grade Waterproofing for

Horizontal Surfaces
Photos Courtesy: Carlisle Coatings and Waterproofing

P
art I of this story, published
last issue, dealt with vertical
above-grade applications. This
installment deals with waterproofing
above-grade horizontal surfaces, as well
as the transitions and flashings required.
As mentioned in the Part I of this
story, above-grade waterproofing is
essential. A structure with no flashings,
no sealants, and no membranes on the
roof and walls would last no
more than a few years.
Also discussed earlier,
Products used for above-grade
products used for above- waterproofing differ substantially
grade waterproofing differ
substantially from their from their below-grade counterparts
below-grade counterparts.
Above-grade waterproofing products
must be breathable, resistant to
ultraviolet (UV) light, aesthetically
pleasing, and adaptable to a wide range
of temperatures.
In addition, waterproofing for
horizontal surfaces often is required
to be abrasion and corrosion resistant.
Balconies, plazas, parking decks, and
rooftop terraces all need waterproofing
that can stand up to heavy foot and
vehicular traffic. In northern climates,
they must also withstand exposure to
salt and other chemicals used as de-icing
agents.
Types
Like their below-grade counterparts,
above-grade waterproofing products fall
into several broad categories.
Coatings and Membranes: Sheet
membranes, fluid-applied membranes,
and sealers are all used to waterproof
horizontal surfaces. These membranes
are commonly applied to commercial
roofs, but are also used on decks and
other exposed surfaces. Made by dozens
of companies, they can be elastomeric
rubber-, asphalt-, or polyurathane-
based.
Sealants: Often, a clear sealer
is used to waterproof the substrate.
George Pinger, marketing director at
Permacrete, explains that his company
uses three different sealers depending
on the amount of use the surface will be
exposed to.
“Even though our product is more
waterproof than regular concrete, you
still need to seal it with something. We’ll
use either an acrylic sealer, epoxy or
urethane, depending on the application.”
Acrylic sealers are typically the most
cost-effective, and hold up well under
normal usage and wear, although
they’re not as durable as epoxy
or urethane. Epoxies are the
most water-resistant option,
but offer a lesser degree of UV
resistance. Urethane sealants
have the best performance, with
excellent durability and UV resistance,
but are the most expensive of the three
options.
Acrylic Finishes: A few cement-
acrylic finishes are completely waterproof
even without a sealant, and are flexible
enough to deal with the thermal stress
and movement that occurs above grade.
Sider Oxydro and Fossil-Crete are two
examples in this category.
Admixtures: If the horizontal
surface is made of concrete, crystalline

22 WATERPROOF!
admixtures can make the slab itself
waterproof. It is sprinkled on the top
of the slab and troweled into the mix,
or added at the time of batching. Some
products are even self-repairing and seal
cracks that form during curing.
Composites: Some products on the
market combine several technologies
into a single product. For example, Slatex
by Multicoat combines an elastomeric
waterproofing membrane with a
cementitous topcoat. The elastomeric
coating can be spray-applied to virtually
any substrate, and the cementitious
topcoat can withstand heavy foot and
vehicular traffic, making it perfect for
walkways, ramps, parking garages, and
other areas.
Transitions and Joints
Transitions between elements—
windows to walls, walls to roofs—
account for 90% of above-grade water
infiltration, so one key to ensuring a
structure remains waterproof is to seal
the transitions.
“The majority of above-grade
issues I see are caused by a below-grade
membrane being brought up too high
and covering over the weep holes,” says
John Aiple at Terry Corp. “Or step
flashing around windows and brickwork
isn’t done correctly. Sometimes, the
penetrations and intrusions are the
source of the problem.”
Caulking: Caulking is structure’s
first line of defense against the elements.
Made by a wide variety of companies,
with a wide variety of ingredients,
there are caulks for every imaginable
application. Proper selection and
application is crucial.
Caulk also needs regular
maintenance. “I get quite a few calls
where the problem is basically a lack of
maintenance with caulking,” Aiple says.
Maintenance neglect, as Aiple calls
it, leads to water penetrating around
windows, utility channels and other
breaks in the building envelope. “All
of those intrusions and penetrations
are basically holes,” he says. “They’re
not watertight, they’re not airtight, and
anytime you get a straight-line wind
blowing rain or snow or any moisture
against the side of the structure, it will
penetrate through defect in the wall and
create moisture problems.”
Another critical use for caulks is
to seal off expansion and control joints.
These are incorporated into a structure
to accommodate thermal movement.
Sealants used in this application must be
extremely flexible and adhesive. Aiple
recommends using foam backer rod or
backer tape to get a better joint. “You
never want the width to equal the depth.
By using a closed-cell foam backer, you’ll
use far less material and you’re keeping
the sealant from making contact on three
sides,” he says.
Flashings: To seal off window
and door openings, nothing beats
impermeable flashings. Made by Tamko,
Grace, Cofair, and others, flexible
flashings are a key component to keeping
moisture out of the structure. Available
in rolls 6 to 12 inches wide, they are
usually self adhesive, and can bridge
dissimilar substrates while maintaining a
moisture-proof barrier.
For horizontal work, flashings are
critical on parapets, roof edges and
valleys, and many other locations.
Case Study
Most commercial waterproofing
jobs, whether its new construction or
remedial work, will use at least several
of the systems listed above to ensure the
building envelope remains watertight.
For instance, Neogard markets a
system specifically designed for high-
traffic horizontal applications. The
system utilizes many of the items
described above.
According to Mosby Lawrence,
waterproofing market manager at
Neogard, the first step is to seal the joints
with a urethane sealant. Then a second
urethane sealant is poured onto the deck
surface as a waterproofing layer.
“Aggregate is then broadcast into it
for durability and as a non-slip coating,”
says Lawrence. Neogard offers a variety
of aggregates and colors, including
decorative quartz and rubber granules.
Finally a wear course or top coat is
Spring 2009 23
installed. With decorative aggregate, of
course, the top coat is clear.
Tony Matter, a marketing executive
at Carlisle Coatings, tells how a multi-
layer waterproofing system was used to
waterproof a problematic parking lot at a
car dealership in Tucson, Ariz.
The lot, located on the roof of
O’Reilly Chevrolet’s parts and service
department, had leaked on and off for
decades, despite repeated attempts to fix
it.
It consisted of a precast concrete
deck, topped with lightweight concrete to
create adequate pitch for drainage. This
was overlaid with asphalt waterproofing,
covered by a two-inch layer of concrete
for the wear surface.
Over the years, the asphalt
membrane began to fail, and water
infiltration caused the lightweight
concrete to expand and further damage
the waterproofing membrane, which
created even more water infiltration
and excessive leakage into the structure
below.
In the mid-1970s, the entire deck was
coated with an elastomeric membrane.
In 1999 a polyurea coating was applied
to the areas that received the most use.
Still, leakage continued.
After patching cracks and dealing
with problems for 40 years, company
officials called RS Herder Corporation,
a local waterproofing contractor. The
24 WATERPROOF!
cost to install a roof over the parking
structure was far more than the owners
wanted to pay, so Randy Herder, owner
of RS Herder Corp. proposed using a
heavy-duty vehicular traffic deck system
manufactured by Carlisle Coatings &
Waterproofing (CCW).
CCW 5123HD is a liquid-applied,
abrasion-resistant waterproofing sys-
tem suitable for surfaces subject to
heavy vehicular traffic or extreme
environmental conditions.
“I am committed to offering my
customers top-of-the-line performance,
and not just a quick fix,” commented
Herder. “This parking garage has been a
persistent problem for the dealership for
many years, and we wanted to offer them
a solution that would allow them to not
have to worry about it for a long, long
time,” said Herder.
The parking deck, which holds
hundreds of cars at a time, was divided
into three areas. Herder completed the
repairs in phases so the dealership would
always have access to two of them.
The first step was removing the
layers of coatings that had accumulated
over the years. Southwest Surface
Blasting, based in nearby Mesa, used
hydraulic scrapers, scarifiers, planers
and shot blasters to get the job done. The
result was 99% exposed concrete.
Another subcontractor was called in
to repair the concrete’s score joints. They
routed over 30,000 lineal feet (more than
5 miles) of cracks, after which a caulking
contractor re-caulked all the joints and
cracks.
With the caulking complete, RS
Herder pressure-washed the surface,
primed it, and applied the first of
three coats of polyurethane. All of the
polyurethane coatings were poured out,
squeegeed to the necessary thickness and
then backrolled.
Between the second and third coat,
a layer of 20-mesh sand was spread
at a rate of 15 to 18 pounds per 100
square feet. Then the topcoat, which
provides resistance to chemicals and UV
exposure, was poured on and squeegeed
to the correct thickness.
When the entire application was
complete, the O’Reilly parking garage
was covered with more than 105 mils of
the CCW 5123HD system.
Waterproofing exposed horizontal
building components usually include
a combination of installations and
methods. Caulkings, coatings, and
sealants were used on the O’Reilly
parking deck, but other combinations
are also common. Working with vertical
waterproofing and their below grade
counterparts, horizontal waterproofing
is a critical part of the system that keeps a
building envelope dry, comfortable, and
structurally sound. 

Iron Bacteria: The Red Stuff
by Stephen Andras CWS, CSRS
T
hroughout my 28-year career as a basement drainage
system specialist, there has been a nagging problem that
our industry seemed to ignore: iron bacteria.
Anyone that has installed basement drainage systems has
encountered iron bacteria at one time or another. I remember
back in my early years being called in as an expert witness to
testify about a drainage system being clogged with a slimy
orange substance. After the homeowner’s lawyer showed the
jury these awful looking pictures of iron bacteria (back then we
called it the “red stuff ” ), I watched the basement contractor on
the stand squirm a little and say, “I’ve never seen this before”
and “this is a rare situation”.
This has been the problem all along in our industry. Yet
all of us—including myself until a few years ago—refused to
admit there is a problem. Most basement drainage systems
come with a warranty from 20 years to Life-of-Structure. Read
those warranties, though, and one will find that most, if not
all, exclude iron ocher, iron bacteria, iron algae or whatever
someone decides to call it.
I, for one, want to
go on record that for 26
"Anyone that has installed basement
years, I did not have a clue drainage systems has encountered
about this “rare problem,”
except that the longer I iron bacteria at one time or another."
was in business, the more
it seemed I was running into it. I guess I can explain it this way:
when you do 100 jobs a year, you will not run into it as much as
when you are doing 2500 jobs a year.
Two years ago, I started on a mission to help customers in
my area with this problem. I visited jobsites, collected samples,
talked to experts in many fields, and researched every article
I could from around the world via the internet. I contacted
Engineer’s Corner
contractors from around the US and Canada, asking questions
to determine how widespread iron bacteria was in their area. I
asked consumers with the problem to contact me.
This problem was more prevalent in some areas than
others. But it wasn`t as rare as everyone was saying. The biggest
problem I see about
iron bacteria is that our
industry hasn’t even
admitted that we have a
problem. They will admit
it is a “rare problem” but
by doing so, they can
exclude it as a problem that needs to be addressed. It is not so
rare for the homeowner who has to deal with the problem.
I feel it is my duty to the industry to declare that we need
to deal with iron bacteria if we truly care about our customers.
First let me explain what iron bacteria is. Then I want to
discuss what can be done to help deal with it.
Many of us never took the time to find out what we were
even dealing with. I believe this is not because we didn’t care
about our customers, but rather we didn’t have the time because
we were all too busy out in the field helping people.
So why do I call it an iron bacteria problem rather than
an iron ocher or iron algae problem? Iron ocher is not the
problem. Rather, it’s a mineral that iron bacteria feeds on. Iron
bacteria are living microorganisms. Two types of iron bacteria
have the ability to attach themselves to the side of a pump, pipe,
or even crushed stone. These iron bacteria do this to feed on
the nutrients flowing by in the water. Once they are established
other iron bacteria have the ability to attach themselves to
the first bacteria, starting a colony and forming a plaque-like
biofilm on the drainage system components.
Spring 2009 25
 This was a breakthrough for me. Finally, I understood at homeowner or contractor, but not very effective in real life.
least what I was dealing with: a live colony of microorganisms This brings me to another point that is very important. I
that fed on nutrients in the groundwater within the drainage believe that when a contractor breaks open a basement floor
system. Iron bacteria use this food source (iron ocher) like to install a drainage system, the iron bacteria problem might
humans use oxygen. be a very small one, but because he is introducing air (and
These live microorganisms are not known to be harmful to carbon dioxide which iron bacteria thrive on), he is causing it to
humans. However, they are a nuisance and can clog any drainage flourish even more.
system. And some of the ways that homeowners and contractors This brings me to another important point: With all that
deal with iron bacteria may be harmful to the environment. people do in their basements nowadays, and with what we know
Chemical formulas like ‘Iron Out” will help rid the iron bacteria about radon, ground moisture, humidity, bugs and now iron
from the drainage system, but if they are pumped out into the bacteria, why are we still installing open channel systems?
yard near a stream, pond, etc. they will kill aquatic plant and I admit I installed many open systems in the past, but now
pond life. that people utilize their basements more than ever, I have come
My research has proven that hot water at about 140 degrees to believe that open-backed drainage systems are not the right
will easily clean and remove these iron bacteria colonies. In thing to do. In fact, my company no longer even offers an open
effect, by flushing a drainage system with 140 degree water, one
is pasteurizing the bacteria. My company has purchased and
customized an on-demand hot water pressure washer. You don’t
need much pressure; somewhere around 300 psi is fine.
We originally tested our theory by using a customer’s hot
water tank, but found out we needed way more than 35 or 40
gallons. The hot water unit is great because it can roll right up
to the bulkhead or basement entrance. We will hook up a cold
water hose to an outside faucet and then turn on the diesel-fired
burner. The unit has a 100-foot hose and special nozzles to “hot
flush” the drainage system. This is the safest and most earth-
friendly way of dealing with iron bacteria.
That doesn’t solve the problem, though. After looking at all
the drainage systems available today, I discovered the majority
of them did not have access ports for a contractor to be able
to flush them. The few manufacturers that had a “port” for
their system really was more of a marketing ploy to impress a

26 WATERPROOF!

drainage system.
This should cause all basement contractors to ask themselves
some serious questions. Why is our industry encapsulating crawl
spaces, yet we are still venting the ground under the basement
slab by installing an open channel around the whole basement?
Why are we concerned with installing air- tight sump liners yet
have a chimney installed around the perimeter of the basement
slab? Why be concerned with an airtight floor drain or sump
liner but install an open trench drain across the bulkhead
stairs? Why do we install an open channel around the perimeter
of the basement thereby letting ground humidity up into the
basement environment and then when our customers say they
have more humidity, we tell them to run a dehumidifier? When
the dehumidifier removes all the moisture from within the
basement it will draw moisture up from that open channel. Why
are we doing these things?
As an industry we need to change the way we think and
install our systems accordingly.
I estimate that in the Northeast one out of five basements
have some amount of iron bacteria. Other parts of the country
are also affected. When we as an industry tell our customers
that a problem is rare and limit our liability by stating that
our warranties do not cover iron bacteria, we are part of the
problem, not part of the solution.
My advice to all of you is to strive to solve 100% of your
customer’s basement problems even if it seems rare to you.
There is one last thing I want to mention. Like any industry,
when we are faced with changes that we need to make, there will
always be individuals and manufacturers that will resist change
because it will cut into their profits or that their product will be
leapfrogged by technology.
To all of you, my fellow contractors, manufacturers and
friends, I encourage you to embrace the future with open arms
and always be willing to change the way you do things if it will
better your customer’s quality of life. 
Stephen Andras is the president of Pioneer Basement Systems
in Westport, Mass., and has more than 30 years experience in the
waterproofing industry. Reprinted with permission of NAWSRC.

AMES’® BLUE MAX™ Concrete & ICF

LIQUID RUBBER
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Ames’ ® Blue Max™ is a special blend of adhesive, high strength elastomer- Sprays on
ic liquid rubber. It is a new, impenetrable, rubber technology for waterproofing
in extreme wet situations such as flat roofs, below grade foundations, base-
Concrete block
ment walls, cisterns, and ponds. It is high in solids and dries to a tough 800%
water tank demo
elastic membrane that resists cracking and peeling. Blue Max™ is impervi-
ous to water when applied in a uniform and seamless fashion with adequate
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• 400 gallons
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Waterproofs & Seals:

• Foundations • Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) • Cisterns
• Basement Walls • Ponds • Flat Roofs • Concrete Block • Underlayment
• Sheathing • Liquid Alternative to Tyvex type Systems
• Replaces Bitumen

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PO Box 1350 Jefferson, OR 97352 USA Roofs & ponding
amesstaff@amesresearch.com
water situations
888-345-0809 • 1-503-588-3330
www.amesresearch.com

Spring 2009 27
 On the Market
Urethane Grout From PolyGem Eco-Friendly Expansion Joint
Polyfoam 1-C from PolyGem, Inc. is a unique single Eco-Joint is a multi-purpose, new generation expansion
component hydrophobic polyurethane grout that provides joint filler made from 100% recycled synthetic rubber. It is
contractors the ultimate solution for crack repair and joint flexible, lightweight, chemical-resistant, and ultraviolet-stable.
sealing applications. The product is compatible with most cold-applied sealants,
Polyfoam 1-C is a simple-to- and will not deform, twist, or break with normal on-the-job
use polyurethane grout that does handling.
not require mixing or a catalyst. Eco-Joint is suitable
It also requires very little moisture for use as an expansion or
to react, and can expand up to 20 control joint in roads runways,
times its original volume to create a parking lots, plazas, patios,
permanent, flexible and watertight sidewalks, drivewa ys, and
seal. curbs – any commercial and
The grout will not shrink when industrial application subject to
dry, and and will remain flexible over time. pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
It’s ideal for injecting foundation cracks and concrete tie It is versatile, flexible,
holes,, sealing joints in tunnels and around pipe penetrations, tough, lightweight, and easy
filling voids and rock pockets, and sealing pre-cast sections to install. Eco-Joint can be sized to meet any installation
seams and floor/wall joints. requirement and is compatible with hot and cold joint sealants.
This product is sold in convenient 10-ounce caulk tubes, The use of Eco-Joint may contribute to several LEED
22-ounce dual cartridges, one-gallon containers and five-gallon credits, including recycled content and regional materials.
pails. For further information on this product call 630-231- This product has been specifically engineered to create a viable
5600 or visit www.polygem.com. expansion joint material for environmentally safe, sustainable
building.
For more information, call (847) 214-2100 or visit www.
Wet Basement? Flooded Lawns? wrmeadows.com.

O F FER Improved Window Well System

2YO0UR%FIRST ORD
• Patent pending – limits
installation errors. Simply
place on the footing. Solves
wall and floor joint leakage.
• Other designs include stone
on the footing which can
add to installation error.
• Perfect for “pre pour” floors
• Step by step instruction
manual and phone support
• Available warranty
1•800•BUSY DOG
Ask for Dealer Support
®
The Bilco Company has enhanced its modular window well
system.
For Builders, Contractors and
Architects The new design features high-density polyethylene (HDPE)
Why use dry wells? inserts that add strength and rigidity to the window wells.
Inserts also simplify back-filling process and lock modules
together to create a cohesive window well assembly.  Like the
150
HDPE modules themselves, they will not rust, rot, or discolor.
Pounds
y Rate
Porosit llons
a
of 55 G ute The modules of the stakWEL system simply slide together
per M
in
using a slot and tab interface to ensure proper alignment and
secure installation. Mounting flanges are supplied with anchor
PATENTED holes that allow them to be quickly fastened directly to a
There is an easy solution… the
new patented Lawn Magnum®
by Basement Technologies®.
One Lawn Magnum® can
handle up to 3,000 gallons per
hour.
Dig

simply 4’ Deep

remarkable.

* Limited to 100 feet or less • DEALERSHIPS AVAILABLE •

28 WATERPROOF!
 Foundation Waterproofing Sprayers
foundation wall or window buck. 
It meets building code requirements for emergency egress
and features a built-in grip/step that eliminates the need for a
fixed ladder.
For more information call (800) 854-9724 or visit www.
bilco.com.

Solution For Flooded Lawns

The Lawn Magnum from Basement Technologies is a
simple, low-cost solution to lawn flooding. Where traditional
methods rely on crushed stone, heavy equipment, and displacing
yards of dirt, the Lawn Magnum is a simple 16"x 28" cylinder
that can process an enormous volume of water.
The hollow, pervious cylinder is made from charcoal,
Portland cement, and other ingredients, and is installed in a 1-877-APPLY-IT
bed of crushed rock with the top 16"
below grade. Water directed into » Increase Your Jobsite Productivity «
the unit is displaced sideways into
• Emulsion Units • Electric Hose Reel
the soil. It eliminates flooding from • Solvent Units • Heat Exchanger
downspouts, sump pumps, and • Gmax II 7900 Pump • Compact Design
other water sources, and actually • Heated 115 gal. Tank • Easy to Use
helps water the subsoil and roots
www. appliedtechnologies .com
under the lawn.
With thousands of units
already installed in the U.S. and
Canada, The Lawn Magnum is a
viable, proven solution to lawn You’ll Never Have a
flooding. For more information,
call Basement Technologies at 800-287-9364 or contact them
online at www.basementtechnologies.com.
Wet Basement Again
F F You’ll Never Have a
20% O
Bentonite-HDPE Barrier
TegraTite, a new orde
r*

waterproofing membrane from Your

first
Wet Basement Again.
TegraSeal Products, combines
the self-sealing properties of OFrdFer*
20ou%
r F i rst
O

bentonite with the durability Y

of high-density polyethylene
(HDPE).
Patent # 4,879,851

TegraTite consists of
a 20-mil HDPE sheet with
bentonite laminated to one
The patented Hollow
ThanksKick
to the Molding
®
system
patented Hollow is the latest
Kick Molding® system,
side, as in intended for vertical in water drainagetheengineering, designed
latest in water drainage to solve
engineering, the most
designed to solve
applications as well as horizontal decks. The product is capable the most severe water problems.
severe water problems.
For more information and
of being installed in all weather conditions, and over wet and/ Ü Increased effective• inlet
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• Increased effective inlet area
area
installation hours For amore
free information
sample, calland
a free sample, call
or dirty surfaces. It can bridge cracks, reseal punctures, and Ü Reduced installation • Attractive
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Ü Attractive floating slab detail
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opening
installs rapidly.
It is completely non-toxic, and uses no VOCs or carcinogens.
Ü Prevents covering of • 8.5drainage
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• Through floor drainage
Ü 8.5 gallons per ft. per minute
ft. per minute
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molding INC
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For more information, or for a product sample, call 888-815- *Not to be combined with quantity discounts
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1816 or visit www.TegraSeal.com

Spring 2009 29
 Coming Up
Ta k e a p e e k a t w h a t ’ s c o m i n g u p i n t h e

Next Issue of

T
he Summer 2009 issue of Waterproof! Magazine the advances in technology and new installation techniques that
will be packed with the useful, practical information have been developed in recent years.
waterproofing contactors have Solar Roofs: Challenges and
come to expect from this publication. Waterproofing Solutions: The popularity
Here’s a peek at what’s coming up: of green building, coupled with significant
Waterproofing Pedestrian Plazas and price declines in photovoltaic systems, has
Walkways: Plaza decks and green roofs led to a significant increase in solar roof
require highly specialized waterproofing installations. Here’s a look at the issues
to ensure good drainage and proper involved, and how to handle the challenges
growing conditions for the plants without that arise.
overloading the structure below. In addition to these features, the
Sump Pumps: Advances and magazine will be full of the waterproofing
Installation: Unless a structure is built on a sloped lot, sump news, technical resources, products, and other information you
pumps are a required part of any drainage system. We’ll cover need.

Ad Index
Want FREE Information? Ames Research Laboratories 27
Applied Technologies 29
For additional information on any Basement Technologies 28
product advertised in this issue visit Boccia 29

www. 

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Applied Technologies
Cetco
Epro Waterproofing Systems
IFC
BC
waterproofmag  Basement Technologies EZ Breathe 9
 Boccia Henry 3
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HouseGuard IBC
 Epro Waterproofing Systems
Hydraway 19
and submit an instant  EZ Breathe
International Leak Detection 11
request to any  Henry
JDR Enterprises (J-Drain) 15
 HouseGuard
advertiser in this issue.  Hydraway
Liberty Pumps 6
 International Leak Detection Mer-Ko (ParexLahabra) 17
 JDR Enterprises (J-Drain) Nationwide Reinforcing 5
 Liberty Pumps Polyguard Products 7
 Mer-Ko (ParexLahabra) Stronghold 19
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Visit www.waterproofmag.com/freeinfo for product information from these advertisers

30 WATERPROOF!
 A WET BASEMENT
SOAKS
EVERYBODY.
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 OF DIFFE
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High Performance
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Epro Design

• Composite Technology (laminated components)

• Field Installed
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• Highly Adhesive
• Flexible Component Selection

Purpose of Design

• Superior Strength
• Simplifies Leak Detection
• Reduces the Effects of Future Movement
• Redundancy of Protection
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• Multiple Waterproofing Barriers
• Multiple protection and Drainage Courses

Application Systems
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• Between Slab and Deck