Solar Roofs: Challenges and Waterproofing Solutions
by Clark Ricks The largest solar panel array in Western New York is installed on the roof of a student dormitory at the University at Buffalo. The 6,300 sq. ft. of photovoltaic panels will produce enough power to meet the annual electrical requirements...
Iron Bacteria: The Red Stuff
by Stephen Andras CWS, CSRS "Anyone that has installed basement drainage systems has encountered iron bacteria at one time or another." Throughout my 28-year career as a basement drainage system specialist, there has been a nagging problem that our...
Above-Grade Waterproofing for Horizontal Surfaces
by Clark Ricks Part 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...
Tunnel Vision: Waterproofing a Megaproject
By Clark Ricks When the jobsite extends for miles, and waterproofing is needed on all surfaces, it’s clearly no ordinary project. Man-made tunnels have existed for thousands of years, and nearly all of them have used some sort of water handling system. ...
Options in Spray Equipment
By Clark Ricks 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...
Spring 2009 News
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...
Thrive in Hard Times
by Wesley Minor Contractors can build a thriving business by providing basement waterproofing systems and partially finished basements Expanding business in a slow economy may seem impossible. Yet, many experienced contractors have found that even in...
Retractable Stadium Roofing: A Waterproofer’s Perspective
By Dan Calabrese “We wanted a material that would require simple periodic maintenance without time-intensive cleaning or repair.” Take everything you know about waterproofing a roof, and elevate it nearly 200 feet in the air. Then make the roof curved. But...
Vapor Barriers and the Underslab Solution
By Clark Ricks It’s perhaps the most overlooked area of the building envelope. Builders and designers who always specify waterproofing for below-grade walls often leave the horizontal slab unprotected. But that seemingly impervious concrete slab under...
Above Grade Waterproofing for Commercial Construction
by Clark Ricks This view of the Zlote Tarasy center in Warsaw, Poland is an excellent demonstration of the many horizontal and vertical applications of above grade waterproofing. This story deals with vertical applications. Part two, published next issue...
