What is liquid waterproofing typically used for, and what are the benefits?

Posted by Diy on January 8th, 2019

Liquid waterproofing has both domestic and commercial applications. Because of the durability of the product, and the ease of application, it can be used in many situations and can be used to cover a range of materials.

Flat roofing

The use of liquid EPDM on flat roofing is among the most popular applications.

Traditional types of liquid rubber waterproofing on flat roofs only offered 100% effectivity after a curing time of approximately 14 hours, but the latest liquid EPDM systems can offer rapid curing and be resistant to rain within just 30 minutes of application.

Some types of liquid EPDM contain a self-levelling compound to give the best coverage for flat roofing.

Liquid membrane can be used to repair flat roofing of many types:

- Damaged EPDM membrane

- Cracked concrete roofing

- Split felt roofing

- Worn asphalt roofing

- And more.

Emergency roof repairs can also be carried out using liquid waterproofing quickly and easily and can be used to maintain a watertight flat roof until professional repair can be made.

Liquid EPDM is the ideal medium for roofing with hard-to-reach, or irregular parts to the roof that cannot be effectively sealed with a rubber roof membrane.

Pitched roofing

Both accelerated and non-accelerated liquid EPDM can be made suitable for use on pitched roofing in addition to flat roofing. To remove the self-levelling compound element of the product, a pre-measured additive is commonly used before application.

Roof extrusions, such as chimney flues or roof skylights can be effectively sealed more easily with liquid EPDM than any other roofing material.

Gutters and drains

Liquid EPDM membrane can be applied to box gutters in domestic and commercial situations for additional waterproofing, for aesthetic purposes over metal gutters or to repair damaged metal or uPVC gutters.

Using a geotextile bandage in conjunction with an accelerated liquid EPDM waterproofing product can create an effective seal to repair cracked gutters or those with holes.

Liquid EPDM will cover lightly-rusted gutters, but for high levels of degradation, the surface should be cleared of loose rust with a wire brush.

There should be no other rust remedy required. Holes left where metalwork has rusted through, should again be covered and sealed with geotextile bandage embedded into the liquid EPDM.

Over concrete

The application of liquid waterproofing over concrete is a common way to extend the life of old, damaged flat roofing. Concrete roofing or paving cracks and dries out over time and it is expensive to remove and replace. Concrete can only be covered with liquid waterproofing after the full curing process is completed. Green (wet) concrete loses its capabilities and strength if combined with liquid EPDM. Concrete cures over approximately three weeks, but this is largely dependent on the environment and geographic location of the concrete.

Garden steps made of concrete can be made safer by the application of liquid EPDM rubber with the addition of a non-slip medium during the top layer curing process. The same process and technique can be applied to concrete balconies and terraces.

Liquid rubber will also bond to ICF's (Insulated Concrete Forms), creating a seamless waterproof membrane. Liquid rubber does not contain solvents that causes other products to degrade the foam.

Car parks

Car parking areas can benefit from liquid waterproofing with the capability of creating a non-slip or anti-skid surface.

Once the main liquid EPDM layer (some areas may require several coats if subject to heavy use) is applied and fully cured, a top coat UV layer is applied in a single coat. An anti-slip medium is then added to the surface area while the top coat is still wet. Once dry and fully cured, the anti-skid medium is fully embedded into the liquid rubber surface.

Typical anti-slip mediums are:

- Silica sand – a fine finish suitable for pool areas and balconies

- Silica beads – to give greater anti-slip benefits

- Mineral filings.

Ponds and water features

Liquid EPDM rubber is ideal for sealing cracks in garden ponds and water features of many types, including most polymer pond liners, concrete basins and plastics. Ponds made from silicone and solvent-based materials cannot be treated with liquid EPDM. Surfaces must be cleaned and dried before application.

There are few surfaces which cannot be waterproofed using liquid EPDM rubber membrane. It requires no special tools for application and is cold-applied. The systems are typically applied using ordinary paint brushes and foam rollers. Geotextile matting is embedded into the liquid membrane as a part of the robust and long-lasting roofing system.

Liquid rubber is unsuitable for use on the following surfaces:

- Silicone

- Coal tar

- Solvent-based products

- Green concrete (uncured)

- Rotten or water-soaked wood.

Encapsulating asbestos

Across the world, the use of asbestos has been almost eliminated after the damaging effects of the dust were revealed during recent times. However, much of the roofing that still exists in unmodernised 1970s garages or outbuildings consists of corrugated asbestos boards, usually ACM (asbestos-containing material) of some type.

There is evidence that liquid EPDM rubber is an effective medium for the encapsulation of asbestos roofing. It is a bridging encapsulant, which can effectively encapsulate pipes or boards of ACM, and not a penetrating encapsulant (one which penetrates and bonds with any asbestos fibres to prevent flaking or breaking down further).

In some parts of the world, testing has revealed that liquid EPDM rubber may be effective in sealing asbestos-concrete boards to prevent any of the fibres escaping. Encapsulating asbestos-containing material using this method is much cheaper than the current asbestos removal and disposal methods, in addition, according to environmental groups, to being much kinder to the planet. Attitudes to asbestos removal are steadily changing, and not all authorities or experts will recommend its removal.

The removal of asbestos is extremely hazardous and should be approached with care and the correct protective clothing. Local authority approval, advice and sometimes formal permissions must first be sought. Since 2012, owners of UK buildings have a legal obligation to identify, report and take measures to control the release of asbestos fibres into the environment.

The uses of liquid waterproofing products are wide-ranging and the benefits far- reaching. Both trade and DIY roofers are turning towards liquid rubber as a sustainable solution to comprehensive waterproofing across the UK for many domestic and commercial applications.