This Document is designed to cover best practice installation methods for the installation of a class 2/3 waterproof membrane system to external concrete balconies in accordance with AS 4654.2 PRELIMINARY WORK Ensure that all surface preparation work, including falls, levels, is complete and properly constructed to enable the membrane system to work as recommended and intended. Ensure that the concrete substrate has been allowed to cure for 28 days and has a moisture content of less than 75% RH before commencing any membrane application. Prepare surfaces, including vacuum cleaning and or diamond grinding as necessary to leave surface smooth, clean, dry and free of all debris. ACCEPTANCE OF SUBSTRATE Confirm and ensure that the substrate complies with relevant substrate standards for Waterproof membrane Systems, including correct falls, drainage points, and window and door set-downs. Ensure that the substrate is structurally sound with no visible ponding water. SURFACE TEMPERATURES Do not install any liquid applied membranes to substrates where the surface temperature is increasing or between 10 c or above 35 c. All Envirotech waterproofing solutions systems installed to hot or cold substrates will obviously present problems due to accelerated and decelerated cure times. When and where possible, all membrane installations should be scheduled when temperatures are decreasing this can be early morning or late afternoons. SURFACE PREPARATIONS Surface preparation is the most critical aspect of installing any waterproofing membranes and coating. Ensure that the substrate is clean from all dirt and other contaminants; floor may have to be washed. Ensure that all water falls to drainage outlets, and all wall rendering has not been completed.
When evaluating the substrate for preparation, certain aspects should be considered as follows: Porosity of substrate for primers Surface type and thickness. Condition and stability of the substrate. Moisture Tolerance and density. Degree of contamination. Curing compounds or release agents. When the substrate has been inspected for the above criteria s, it is then possible to prescribe the correct preparation and primers to complete the installation of the membrane system. PREPARATION METHODS Bevel by grinding all concrete edges by mechanical means to eliminate sharp edges Clean and prime High Pressure water-blasting Grinding Vacuuming
CONCRETE REPAIRS Repair all areas such as divots, and form work cavity s with suitable concrete repair or similar and smooth off. Repair all concrete structural areas with epoxy gel, smooth off and sprinkle sand to finish. Allow curing for 24 hours. PRIMING APPLICATION Prime substrates thoroughly by brush or roller with the appropriate primer as follows: Two-Part Epoxy primer for all damp surfaces. All Plastic needs to be primed with suitable plastic primers or etched with Acetone. Aluminum needs to be primed with suitable primer or etched with Acetone. All Primers shall be left to cure AS PER RECOMMENDED DATA SHEETS. Where an existing coating is present or the substrate is different, confirm with Enviro-Tech on the appropriate primer to be used.
CONCRETE CRACKS/SHRINKAGE CRACKS All cracks over 2mm shall be chased to a depth of 12 mm and filled with epoxy and sand seeded, or an MS flexible sealant. DOOR/WINDOW STEP DOWNS Install MS sealant 15 mm wide to all junctions and tool off smooth. Reinforce with polyester or 225gsm fiberglass mat to all set downs to a DFT of 1.2 mm making sure membrane system has been installed 200 mm onto balcony floor areas. PERIMETER UPTURNS Install MS sealant 15 mm wide to all junctions and tool off smooth. Reinforce with a polyester or fiberglass mat all upturns to a DFT of 1.2 mm 100 mm above finished floor height or 25 mm above water line. Make sure membrane system has been installed 200 mm onto to balcony floor areas.
SPITTER DETAIL Make sure spitters have been installed correctly and detailed as below; MEMBRANE SYSTEM SPITTER UPTURN Prime spitters with the appropriate primer and allow primer to cure. Apply waterproof membrane system to spitter as above.
FLOOR WASTE DETAIL All floor wastes shall have a recessed leak control flange installed such as Rock Top Flanges. Prime flange with appropriate primer and allow primer to cure. Install membrane system as below and clip Rock-top flange over membrane when cured.
MEMBRANE INSTALLATION Apply one coat of waterproof membrane to floor areas, and reinforce with polyester or 225 fiberglass mat rolling sideways to the drainage outlets. Allow a minimum 24 hours drying at a temperature of 25 for first coat to cure correctly. Apply a second coat of waterproof membrane, rolling in a straight line towards drainage outlets. DFT shall be 1.5 mm, or a third coat shall be applied after a minimum of 24 hours curing at a temperature of 25 COMMENTS; MS SEALANTS CAN ONLY BE USED WITH WATER-BASED MEMBRANE SYSTEMS. TILE FIXING Tile adhesives should be compatible with the membrane system installed. TILE CONTROL JOINTS Shall be to AS 3958.1
COMPLETION METHOD STATEMENT Take a dated picture by camera, and store in folder. Clean up all empty buckets and materials and remove. Leave all work in a sound a condition and defect free. COMMENTS; Over the years I have seen many concrete balcony s leak due to concrete cracking which in turn ruptures the membrane causing the balcony to leak. Completely reinforcing the membrane system will give the membrane greater strength and allow the membrane system to function better when the concrete cracks. When you look at any old roofs or balcony s that were fully reinforced with fiberglass, they still looked sound, with no membrane cracking even after the concrete had cracked under the membrane. When a flexible membrane system is installed directly onto concrete without being fully reinforced, nine times out of ten, the membrane system will fail when the concrete cracks.
Reference Contacts and Data: Technical data, advise or technical assistance may be obtained by contacting Enviro-Tech Waterproofing Solutions at:- Web Page E-mail: http://www.envirotech-waterproofing.com.au/ john@envirotech.net.au Office Telephone: (07) 3865 3600 Office Fax: (07) 3865 7600 John Blasé Mobile: 0403684556 Postal address: Unit 254Robinson Road East Geebung Qld 4034 Australia Do it Once-Do it Right-Fixed for Good