Fluid applied waterproofing and roofing are often confused with simple coatings designed to extend the service life of roofs. They are in fact viable, durable, strong materials that can withstand ponded water and immersion, along with providing a UV barrier. Although the technology is relatively new, it is gaining popularity as a roofing solution. The manufacturing process is unique and there are several advantages. There are several common fluid applied membranes and system installation is simple.
Manufacturing
The manufacturing process begins with natural bitumen. It is either mined or refined from crude oil. It is then sent to a manufacturing facility where rubbers and plasticizers are added. In the case of standard roofing, some type of reinforcement would be added rendering the roof ready to be transported to the site and installed. Fluid applied waterproofing and roofing is transported to the site in liquid polymer form and reinforcement is added, allowing for the creation of a fully adhered membrane system.
Advantages
There are many advantages of fluid applied waterproofing and roofing. They are UV resistant even in the harshest of climates. They can be applied in a variety of conditions and are resistant to heavy traffic and chemicals. Traditional flashing and seams are eliminated, thus lowering areas of weakness and the potential for leaks. Termination bars or other mechanical attachments are not required to keep them flush to the substrate. Heat is not required for installation, which has become one of the most important features. The roofing industry is highly litigious and eliminating safety hazards wherever possible is beneficial.
Common Fluid Applied Waterproofing Membranes
There are two basic polymers – polyesters and polyurethanes. Polyester systems are of plural components. There are two plural component polyester systems commonly found in the market place. Polyurethane systems are single component. Each polymer is reinforced with either polyester or fiberglass. Polyester systems are moisture sensitive and flammable and should not be applied in bad weather, whereas the polyurethane systems are triggered by moisture and can be applied in any weather conditions.
System Installation
There are two types of installation – recover or re-roof. If recover is chosen, the roof must be free from dirt, debris, laitance and poorly adhered materials. Then a medium power wash is performed using an antifungal quaternary ammonia compound. In some conditions, a solvent wipe is required and with textured surfaces a base sheet is used. Then if needed, primer is used. The base coat is applied using a brush, roller or spray. Once cured, the base coat is top coated to a predetermined uniform dry thickness (dft). If desired, silica quartz can be added to additional top coats to create anti-skid qualities.
If re-roof is the appropriate type of installation, then different preparation steps are followed. First the project design must be chosen. The deck, configuration and vapor control requirements must all be looked at. The cold fluid applied roofing may be added at different times throughout the project based upon which configuration is decided.
Every building is unique and Thermo Materials® provides a variety of reflective fluid applied systems that are customized to meet specific needs. For additional information on our innovative materials please visit website.
