FAQ
Specification Questions
What separates this from sprayed damp-proofing?
Film build and elastomerics. Damp-proofing is a thin bituminous mist — a vapor slow-down, not a water barrier, and it splits over the first shrinkage crack. A waterproofing membrane goes on at 40+ wet mils with 350% elongation and a hydrostatic rating. Code treats them differently for a reason; so should the bid.
Can a homeowner apply this to a wet basement from inside?
Negative-side work is the hardest case in waterproofing, and interior coatings fight hydrostatic pressure pushing the film off the wall. We sell through contractors on purpose. Send us your location through the contact form and we will point you to an applying contractor instead — better outcome for the wall and for you.
How much extra material does block really take?
Plan a third more than smooth concrete: roughly 30 sq ft/gal on the first CMU pass versus 40 on poured walls, before the second coat. Rough-face or lightweight block can drink more — the block filler pass usually pays for itself in membrane saved. Our coverage worksheet has substrate lines for each case.
How soon can we backfill?
48 hours at 70°F, always with protection board or drainage composite over the membrane. Cold weather stretches that — at 50°F make it four days. Backfilling early with sharp fill against bare membrane is the most preventable failure in this trade.
What is the service life below grade?
Buried, protected, and detailed correctly, the membrane is designed for the life of the structure — below-grade service has no UV and small temperature swings, which is easy duty for an elastomeric. The exposed grade-line strip is the only part that weathers, and it is UV-stable for that job.
Can we apply in cold weather? Excavations don't wait.
Down to 40°F on a frost-free, dry wall, with cure and backfill windows roughly doubled. Below that, tent and heat the excavation — crews do it all winter — but never apply over frost or to concrete less than 14 days old regardless of temperature.
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Tell us about your project and we will follow up with product details, technical data sheets, and pricing.