Blue Seal I.C.F. Waterproofing - Product Comparisons

Comparison Info

Water-Proofing

SYSTEM	STRENGTHS	WEAKNESSES
BLUE SEAL Liquid Applied Water- Based Elastomeric Membranes *	• Seamless, liquid cold applied membranes • Spans cracks up to 1/16 in. wide • Adheres to curved walls and complex surfaces • Suitable for all climates • Wide service temperature range • Can be backfilled right after removing the forms • Light moisture does not affect it • Non-toxic when cured • No primer required • Low in place cost • Visual application control easily ensures required coverage is achieved • Excellent elongation, permits expansions and contraction • Ideal for fast track projects • The thickness can be monitored carefully	• Need to be protected from UV rays when above grade • Must be protected from rain & freezing weather during initial stages of cure
Laminated asphalt / Built-up Systems *	• Spans cracks better than un-laminated asphalt's	• Cannot be applied on any type of foam • Hot applied = adequate ventilation required and can be a fire hazard • Installation messy and time consuming • Solvent vapours are heavier than air, so they accumulate in the excavation producing all types of hazards • Respiration hazard. Solvent vapours are deadly • Skin injury hazard / Chemical resistant protection • *Eye injuries, infection hazard • Questionable long-term performance
Dimple Sheeting *	• It can be installed over substrates in any condition and backfilled whenever ready • Not only repels water but also forms air gaps against the walls that will channel, to footing drains, any ground water that might get through • These air spaces also allow the escape of indoor water vapour that condenses outside of the foundation	• Lots of seams, with possible filtration • Time consuming joint detailing • Effectiveness dependent on applicator skill
Sheet-Applied Elastic Membranes *	• Withstand great hydrostatic pressure • Factory-control thickness to eliminate thin spots and skips • Do not pinhole • Can be applied as low as 25F • Can be backfilled immediately to avoid delays. • 60 mil thick	• Surface must be dry & dust free • Do not conform well to complex surfaces, and are difficult to flash. • Concrete substrate must be cured for at least seven days before application • Time-consuming detail is required at inside and outside corners • It must be put on perfectly to avoid wrinkles, which must be cut and repaired before backfilling • Protection board is required
Polymer-Modified Asphalt *	• Good elasticity • Low cost • Adheres to green concrete	• Solvent based, not recommended for Insulated Concrete Form Construction or extruded polystyrene insulation Foam board
Bentonite Clay *	• Withstands great hydrostatic pressure • Ground water causes it to swell up to 15 times its dry volume • Seamless, self-healing and non-toxic • Minimal surface preparation • Can be backfilled immediately • No protection board • Good for tight spaces because it can be simply draped down foundation walls • Good for very rough and dirty foundations • Non-polluting	• Very expensive compared with the other systems • A drainage layer might be required in some soils • Must be protected from rain until backfilling • Limited tolerance to soil salts, alkalis, and acids • No possible inspection of the application to confirm the integrity of the seal before backfilling. The seal does not form until the clay gets in contact with water

Damp-Proofing

SYSTEM	STRENGTHS	WEAKNESSES
Asphalt Emulsions	• Can be applied to damp surfaces /green concrete • Non flammable • Clean up with water • Can be used to glue foam insulation to found walls	• Damp-proofing not waterproofing • Not recommended for ICF construction • Must be protected from rain and freezing until they dry, which can take several days in cool weather • If not completely cured, it will deteriorate
Cutback Asphalt's	• Solvent based, not affected by rain or freezing • Economical	• Damp-proofing not waterproofing • Not recommended for ICF construction • Can not be applied to green concrete or wet surfaces • Uncured, they are toxic and combustible and can dissolve foam insulation • As a result of the refining process, asphalt loses elasticity • Needs to be applied in a 60 to 100 mils thickness and covered with a 6 mil polyethylene sheet
Rubber Damp-proofing	• Has greater flexibility • Better suited to bridging active cracks than asphalt coatings	• Damp-proofing not waterproofing • Not recommended for ICF construction • Needs to be covered almost immediately after application • Limited products to choose from
Cement coatings	• Polymer-modified cement coatings bond strongly to cured substrates • Can Withstand hydrostatic pressure • They breathe preventing basement condensation • No protection board is required	• Damp-proofing not waterproofing • Not recommended for ICF construction • Limited elasticity. Do not bridge active cracks effectively • They tend to crack where foundations do, allowing water penetration • Good if combined with rigid insulation foams, mesh reinforcement and stucco coatings

* Laminated asphalt / Built-up Systems: One or more layers of hot or cold applied unmodified asphalt, reinforced with layers of fiberglass or reinforcing fabric.

* Dimple Sheeting: 24 mil dimpled polyethylene sheeting that looks like an egg carton in profile Rolls up to 8 ft. wide

* Sheet-Applied Elastic Membranes: Sheet-applied elastomers. A layer of self-adhering rubberized asphalt laminated to a polyethylene film on one side and a protective release sheet on the other one. Available in 3-ft. to 4 ft. wide rolls, peel and stick.

* Polymer-Modified Asphalt: Bitumen based liquid applied coating

* Bentonite Clay: Bentonite Clay laminated to a tough impermeable high-density polyethylene sheeting. 4 ft. wide rolls. Cardboard with clay within the flutes.

* Liquid Applied Elastomeric Membranes: Spray, brush, or trowel applied liquid, water based, curing elastomeric membrane.

BLUE SEAL is a trademark of U.S.E. Hickson Products Ltd. BLUE STUFF is a registered trademark in Canada U.S.E. Hickson Products Ltd. is a licensed trademark user of BLUE STUFF in Canada. BLUE SEAL and BLUE STUFF are manufactured by U.S.E. Hickson Products Ltd.