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DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

The performance of a spray applied polyurethane waterproofing roofing system can be affected by all the
component parts of a roof structure, as well as the atmospheric conditions inside and outside the
structure.

Proper structural design, specification review, contractor and material selection, coupled with the
compatibility and positioning of the various components of a roof structure, are a necessity to produce a
successful roofing system.

1.0 SURFACE/DECK PREPARATION, PROCEDURES AND CONSIDERATIONS

Spray polyurethane waterproofing can be successfully applied to most surfaces. However, the following
general practices must be observed on all decks which are to receive spray applied polyurethane
waterproofing.

1.1 General Surface/Deck Preparation Procedures


1.1.1 The roof deck shall be securely fastened to the building structure and conform to
proper load limits of good engineering practices. Special attention should be
focused on the deflection rate under all type roof conditions, including but not
limited to, foot traffic, mechanical equipment utilization, as well as live and dead
loads.
1.1.2 Prior to application of primer, vapor retarder or polyurethane waterproofing, the
deck shall be properly cured, dry, and free of loose dirt or any contaminants that
may interfere with proper adhesion of any of these respective components.
1.1.3 Deck contaminants, depending on their severity and quantity, may be removed
by use of air pressure, vacuum equipment, hand power broom, chemical solvents,
sandblasting, manual scraping, etc.

1.2 Concrete Surfaces/Decks


1.2.1 In all cases, concrete should be free of laitance and chemical release agents.
1.2.2 All joints should be filled and/or taped.
1.2.3 Sprayed polyurethane waterproofing is not recommended for light weight or
insulating concretes unless tests have been made to determine that adequate
adhesion can be obtained or unless an overlayment is installed.

2.0 POLYURETHANE WATERPROOFING APPLICATION

2.1 Inspection
2.1.1 Prior to application of the waterproofing, the surface shall be inspected to
insure that conditions required by Section 1.0 have been met.
2.1.2 Substrate shall have sufficient slope to eliminate excessive ponding water.
Ponding is defined as “an area of 100 square feet or more which holds in excess
of 1/2”of water as measured 24 hours after a rainfall.” If the substrate does not
have sufficient slope, then the ponding water must be eliminated by the proper
placement of drains, or a combination thereof.
2.1.3 The polyurethane waterproofing application shall not proceed during periods of
inclement weather. The applicator shall not apply the polyurethane
waterproofing below the temperature and/or humidity specified for ambient air
and substrate. Wind barriers may be used if wind conditions could affect the
quality of installation.

3.0 Application

First Coating
3.1 The spray polyurethane waterproofing must be applied in a minimal pass thickness of 1/2
inch.
3.2 Spray polyurethane waterproofing thickness shall be a minimum of one inch (or more if
specified). The polyurethane waterproofing shall be applied uniformly over the entire
surface with a tolerance of plus 1/4” per inch of thickness minus 0”.
3.3 The spray polyurethane waterproofing shall be uniformly terminated a minimum of four (4)
inches above the roofline at all penetrations (except drains, parapet walls, or building
junctions). Waterproofing in place cants shall be smooth and uniform to allow positive
drainage.
3.4 Detailing skylights is particularly important in that the spray polyurethane waterproofing
MUST be terminated below existing weep holes. DO NOT COVER WEEP HOLES WITH
WATERPROOFING OR COATING.
3.5 The polyurethane waterproofing surface shall be allowed to cure sufficiently. The full
thickness of polyurethane waterproofing in any area shall be completed prior to the end of
each day. If due to weather conditions more than 24 hours elapse between polyurethane
waterproofing and coating application, the polyurethane waterproofing shall be inspected
for UV degradation, oxidation or contamination. If any of the above conditions exist, the
surface shall be prepared in conformity with the recommendations of the manufacturer
issuing the warranty.

Mesh / Flexible Membrane


3.6 Install reinforcement immediately into wet base coat. Using a wet roller, fully embed the
reinforcement into the wet base coat. Roll until fully saturated. Reinforcement must be fully
encapsulated in base coat and not contain pin holes, voids, or openings.
3.7 Lap adjacent rolls no less than 3”. End laps shall be no less than 6”. Lap onto flashing no less
than 3”.

Top Coat Application:


Apply top coat over cured base coat beginning
with flashings then install top coat directly over
field base coat and spread coating evenly
according to manufacturer’s written instructions.
Back roll to achieve a minimum thickness of 32
wet mils on both flashings and field.
Priming of the base coat with Geogard Primer
may be required if top coat is not applied within
72 hours of the base coat application.
WALKWAY
INSTALLATION
Non-Skid Walkway Application:
1. Identify walkway areas as indicated, or as
directed by Owner.
2. Apply additional application of top coat to
taped walkway area at 1¼ gals / SQ (20 wet
mils).
3. Broadcast approximately 20-30 lbs. per 100
sq.ft. of 20-40 mesh silica sand or quartz in the
wet top coat material.
4. Immediately back roll sand and top coat,
creating an even dispersal of sand.
5. Remove tape outlining walkway immediately.
* If walkway application is not applied within 72
hours of the top coat application the top coat
shall be primed with Geogard Primer.
ROOF DRAINS
Remove drain strainer and clamping ring.
Remove all rust and debris from the surface of
drain bowl. If necessary use a grinder to sand
metal surfaces down to clean, bare, metal.
Install base coat onto surrounding concrete deck
and metal drain bowl flange. Install a target piece
of reinforcement immediately into the wet base
coat and roll to fully embed/saturate the material.
After top coat has been installed re-install drain
clamping ring and strainer. Replace broken
drain ring clamping bolts if necessary.
Allow base coat to cure a before installing top
coat.
3.8

C. Surface Finish
1. The final sprayed polyurethane waterproofing
surface shall be “smooth, orange peel
, coarse orange peel, or verge of
popcorn.” Polyurethane waterproofing surfaces termed “popcorn” or “treebark” ar
e not acceptable. These areas shall
be removed and rewaterproofinged to an acceptable surface.
(See photos on pages 28-30 of the master file.)
2. Any damage or defects to the pol
yurethane waterproofing surface shall be repair
ed prior to the protective coating
application.
3. The polyurethane waterproofing surface shall be free of moisture, frost, dust, debris, oils, tars, grease
or other
materials that will impair adhesion of the protective coating.

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