WATERPROOFING - FOUNDATIONS
Slab Seal SA Specialises in the Application of Slab Edge Waterproofing Membrane.
What is Efflorescence?
Persistent moisture penetrating the slab often results in associated efflorescence (also known as Concrete
Cancer) which is visible as a white-coloured, powdery substance around the foundation’s exposed edge.
Efflorescence is a sign that moisture is moving through the concrete carrying mineral-soluble salts to the
surface. The water then evaporates leaving the white crystallised powder.
Clear sign of Efflorescence
Clear sign of ingress internally
Corrosive mineral-salts attack resulting in:
•
damage to the structural integrity;
•
concrete weakening over time;
•
loss of bond on adjacent wall and floor tiles;
•
corrosion of steel reinforcing;
•
delaminating of rendered surfaces;
•
rotting of timbers, fibre cement, plasterboard,
carpets, floor coverings;
•
discolouration of concrete;
•
watermarks on paint;
Forticon is a heavy duty plastic laid underneath concrete to prevent ground water re-entering and damaging
the cured concrete. The most common problems associated with forticon is when it falls away, breaking apart
from sun damage, or is cut away by tradies during the construction or the landscaping stages leaving the
face of the foundation exposed to dirt and water which in-turn leads to moisture ingress and efflorescence.
The cost effective solution to this problem is to call the SLAB SEAL SA team at the time of, or soon after,
the foundations have been poured to apply a membrane from the brick rebate down to the base and over
the forticon ensuring a durable, guaranteed waterproofing solution. SLAB SEAL SA also provide a service to
rectify and repair foundations that are showing signs deteriation due to efflorescence and moisture ingress.
The Slab Seal SA team have been trained and qualified by the product’s maufacturer.
Minister Engineering Specification September 2009
Clause 4.3 Vapour Barrier States:
“A vapour barrier shall be placed beneath the floor slab, lapped
200mm, taped and made waterproof. Continue the vapour
barrier up the outside of the external footings to the top of the
paving.”
Figure 1:
This is a typical undertaking
on almost every foundation.
The Forticon has either been
destroyed or cut short. This
means when paths are laid the
Forticon will not reach the top of
the path to create the moisture
barrier as per the Minister’s
Specification.
Ph: 0449 018 079
PO Box 906, Modbury, SA, 5092
www.yindiservices.com.au
While all efforts are made for this to be maintained, it is very common
for the Forticon to fail for various reasons, most commonly:
1. The vapour barrier (ie Forticon) has perished in the sun
2. Trades people destroy it
3. Landscaper cuts it off or removes it
Figure 2:
This photo demonstrates the
slab edge after treatment. The
Forticon is no longer required to
reach the face of the slab as the
membrane has now been applied.
SLAB SEAL’s products have been extensively tested and used both overseas and in Australia.
It has been tested to withstand wind, driving rain, numerous soil/mineral types, and water pressure to 100m.
Suitable for slab edge, planter boxes, retaining walls, swimming pools, and subterranean structures.
Features
•
withstand continuously
environments;
•
dries without cracking with a very low shrinkage
rate;
•
is suitable for civil, commercial and residential
buildings;
•
is non toxic;
•
possesses outstanding
adhesive qualities;
•
is resistant to frost, ageing and salt water;
ALERT!
wet
and
immersed
waterproofing
and
•
withstands UV light exposure;
•
is extremely flexible and contains excellent crack
bridging properties;
•
allows the concrete to still breath;
•
dries grey in colour;
•
requires a single application only;
•
can be backfilled against within 5 hours of
application.
•
10 year product guarantee
Safe Guard Your Investment and Your Health
The Building Code of Australia (BCA) Volume
2 requires houses to be constructed to provide
resistance to moisture rising from the ground.
The BCA also requires that a vapour barrier be
installed beneath the slab that has a medium impact
resistance. However, such barriers still leave the slab
edge exposed.
Prolonged exposure to various sources of moisture
such as rain, garden water, contact with landscaping
materials, paving and natural ground-soil causes
dampness and moisture ingress on the slab edges.
This causes deterioration of the integrity of the slab,
internal wall frames and finishes such as painted
surfaces, timbers and floor coverings.
SUBTERRANEAN STRUCTURES, RETAINER WALLS, AND PLANTERS
Slab Seal SA offers waterproofing solutions for
subterranean structures, retainer walls, large planter
boxes, and water features.
Key design elements of our products include:
•
Withstanding continuously wet and immersed
environments
•
Dries without cracking
•
Is suitable for civil, commercial and residential
buildings
•
Is resistant to frost, ageing and salt water
•
Withstands UV light exposure
•
Requires a single application
SLAB SEAL SA ensures all of their products
comply with Australian codes and standards and
are vigorously tested. The SLAB SEAL SA team
continuously research to ensure the most appropriate
products, and their applications, are correct, efficient,
and a cost effective option for the application required.
Subterranean structures such as backfilled walls,
underground car parks, cellars, and work pits.
Permanent structured garden boxes, retainer walls,
and water features.