What Waterproofing System Is Right For You?
You are an architect, a designer or a building owner, and you have a building to protect. If this building is like most, it has critical areas inside the building that must be protected from the damaging affects of water, moisture or other contaminants. If these areas are covered with earth, landscaping, pavers or wearing courses such as concrete or pavement, it is extremely costly and challenging to remove the overburden and determine the cause should a leak occur. As a result, one of the most important decisions you have to make is the waterproofing system.
To help you make an informed decision, Sika Sarnafil has briefly described our waterproofing systems utilized with both our Green Roof and Plaza Deck applications to help you choose the one that best fits your project needs.
Waterproofing Systems
Loose Laid Waterproofing System
Sika Sarnafil’s Loose Laid system is the most economical of our high quality waterproofing systems because of its ease of installation. It is often used to protect plaza decks and vegetated roofs, either on new construction or renovation projects. As with all of Sika Sarnafil’s waterproofing systems, a key component is our durable, highly puncture resistant G476 membrane.
Self Adhered Waterproofing System
The Self Adhered system provides building owners with added waterproofing security by having the waterproofing membrane bonded directly to the structural concrete deck while increasing installation productivity for waterproofing contractors.
Grid Waterproofing System
The Grid System offers a unique “containment grid” feature that reduces the risk of expensive removal and replacement of overburden. As the name implies, the area to be waterproofed is marked out in a grid pattern, with each section becoming its own individual containment field. This is accomplished by adhering strips of membrane around the perimeter of each grid section to act as a sub membrane waterstop. Should a leak occur in the future, the containment grid isolates the water, eliminating any potential spread from one section to another.
Waterproofing Applications
Green Roofs
Vegetated roofing is one of the most exciting developments in sustainable building design. Depending on load capabilities and other application-driven requirements, green roofs can be planted with herbs, grasses, flowers, even trees, in an exciting variety of colors, textures, scents and heights. Patios and walkways can become a useable part of the roof environment. Today it’s clear: vegetated roofs offer many social, environmental and economic benefits.
Plaza Decks
Plaza decks are located at or above grade level. They are public areas accessible to pedestrians and in some cases vehicles. They may cover valuable commercial or office space, storage or mechanical areas, or parking.
Plaza decks are waterproofed to protect the structure, their occupants and the property beneath them from water and moisture penetration. Plazas incorporate durable wearing courses such as pavers or concrete, and often times integrate appealing architectural elements such as landscaping, lighting, railings, fountains and pools. Flashing details are complex as the various elements converge at the structural deck level where the waterproofing system resides.
Plaza decks require special attention since they hold water for a period of time after precipitation, and the waterproofing system is buried under the overburden making repairs challenging and costly.
Choosing the right waterproofing system is one of the most important decisions you will make on your project.
Plaza Deck System/Product Information
Tunnel Systems
Proper waterproofing of tunnels is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase the useful life of these structures and enhance safety.
Sika Sarnafil’s vinyl tunnel membranes meet critical European design standards and have been test-certified according to the NEAT material standard for membrane resistance to a 100-year ageing performance.
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Caltrans Devil's Slide TunnelLocated at Half Moon Bay, California.