How to restore a flat Concrete roof or Balcony.

The Problem

Balconies and flat roofs are generally subject to various degrees of abrasion and mechanical damage. Some are exposed to heavy pedestrian traffic and equipment or machinery being dragged over the surface.

They are subject to extreme conditions and many stresses due to contraction as a result of changing temperatures. At the same time, they need to protect against degradation from continuous exposure to the elements.

Climates around the world are becoming more extreme with increased rainfall and above average temperatures. Ponding is a serious problem on flat roofs, most coatings cannot withstand long periods immersed under water.

Due to the continuous movement of buildings and exposure to harsh weather conditions, any existing coating will eventually detach from the substrate, allowing water to permeate. Once breached the coating quickly deteriorates leading to concrete decay, rebar corrosion, concrete cracking and spalling. Ultimately resulting in leaking roofs and risks to health and safety.

Once this process commences it is critical to act fast to protect the structure and contents of the building. The economic losses are high in terms of asset write off and lost production.

 

In the case of complex industrial roofs with piping and stacks that have restricted access, repairing and waterproofing only the specific areas where leakage is occurring is not an effective solution, as water can travel under the balcony or roof coating once penetrated. The whole roof area requires protection.

Elastodeck is the solution a compatible coating which can be applied onto exposed or previously painted balconies and flat concrete roofs. A waterproof coating with 200% elasticity and excellent adhesion which will withstand ponding on flat roofs.

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The Solution

Elastodeck

Elastodeck is an excellent solution for the renovation of concrete balconies and flat roofs. An ecological and sustainable coating with excellent adhesion and flexibility, which will produce a watertight finish onto the exposed or previously coated balconies and concrete roofs.

Applied to a flat roof, it produces an elastic protective membrane similar in appearance to rubber, which will solve the problems of water ponding and infiltration.

Service life in excess of 15 years.

As a result of its unique flexibility and permanent elasticity, Elastodeck  adheres to the exposed or previously painted balcony or concrete roof and follows the expansion and contraction movements of the roof.

The new Elastodeck membrane will be durable and highly resistant to UV and the changing weather conditions.

The system is used successfully in North America, Europe, South East Asia, Mediterranean and Scandinavian countries. A track record with extremes of climatic conditions.

Hydrograff HP

Elastodeck has excellent flexibility and will waterproof the balcony or flat roof from water ingress into the concrete structure. If the balcony or flat roof is subject to regular pedestrian or machine traffic it will be  necessary to protect the Elastodeck from abrasion and mechanical damage.

In such cases it is recommended to overcoat the Elastodeck with a thin coat of Hydrograff HP. It is a two pack polyurethane finish which provides excellent abrasion and mechanical resistance. It is available in a range of colours and has excellent colour and gloss retention in direct sunlight.

Elastometal Roof Paint Sml3
Benefits & Performance

The service life of the system is in excess of 15 years. Elastodeck has a global track record Waterproofing, Protecting and Decorating flat roofs. It delivers great benefits to the owner of the building in terms of a cost-effective solution without the need for abrasive blast cleaning or removal of intact existing coatings. For the applicator it is a simple safe single product solution which is easy to apply.

For the project manager:

  1. Economic solution for Balconies & Flat Roofs.
  2. Highly effective and durable system.
  3. 15 Year performance.
  4. Ecological and Sustainable paint.
  5. Low VOCs and Emissions. No fire risks
  6. Low Odour, minimal disruption.
  7. Made in the West Midlands.
  8. Wide choice of RAL & NCS colours.

For the applicator:

  1. High build Elastomeric paint. No primers.
  2. Polyurethane topcoat available. for increased abrasion resistance.
  3. Suitable for exposed or previously coated balconies & roofs.
  4. Fast repairs and Easy to Apply.
  5. Low Odour, Low Emissions. No fire risk.
  6. Made in the West Midlands.
  7. Wide choice of colours.
Preparation

Weather

As with any outdoor project, try to avoid starting a job in wet conditions. A minimum of 10°c (50°f) and no rain forecast during and immediately after application are required to be able to apply the product successfully. Above 15°c (59 °f), working conditions are perfect and enable higher productivity. If the project is located in a very hot area with very intense sunshine avoid applying the system when the sun is the most intense and  work early in the morning or in the late afternoon.

If you are working in humid climates, and especially if it is cold after sunset such as in the autumn , be sure to complete the job a few hours before dark, to avoid condensation covering the fresh paint and slowing drying. If you are working at dawn, be mindful of condensation on the surface.

Surface preparation

The surface must degreased, dry, and free of all contaminants.

High pressure water blasting is recommended at a minimum of 220 bar / 3200 psi equipped with a rotating zero-degree angle nozzle. This method will remove surface contaminants, loosely adhering existing coatings and loose concrete.

Cleaning by mechanical or power tools is  advised when more detailed surface preparation needs to be done on objects within the roof, such as chimneys, access ladders and bolts that could be heavily rusted.

Moss and mould can be removed with biodegradable solutions that are readily and commercially available.

Ensure any remaining coating has good adhesion to the concrete. Feather back to a smooth edge using hand or power tools.

Tiled surfaces can be overpainted provided they are fixed and secured to the substrate.

The surface must be completely dry before applying the waterproofing system.

Edges and Railings

Also check the edges and connections with walls, railings, chimneys or any other equipment that can be found on a roof. These are potential weak spots subject to water infiltration. If rebar is exposed and corroded protect with Jotamastic 87 Aluminium.

Elastodeck can be used on most types of mineral surfaces and is easy to use with a roof fleece to seal these more fragile areas.

Equipment

Elastodeck can be applied by brush on specific localised areas and with an airless gun on the main surface. If spraying is not possible, it can be applied by roller. It will take longer, and you will need to apply more coats to achieve the minimum thickness required.

For airless spray use a pressure of at least 180 bar or 2600 psi and a gun tip between 0.017 and 0.023 inches.

If an abrasion resistant topcoat of Hydrograff HP is required this can be applied by airless spray using a pressure of 70 bars or 1000psi and a gun tip between  0.007 and 0.009.

For application by roller, it is recommended to use 14 mm / ½ inch polyamide rollers.

System Application

Preparation of Elastodeck

Elastodeck is supplied ready to use, stir it mechanically for several minutes and optionally dilute up to 3-5% with water if working in very hot weather to slightly slow drying. For smooth surfaces, roughen using hand or power tools, then apply a thin coat of Elastodeck diluted 25% with tap water at a theoretical coverage rate of 0.3kg per square metre.

Installation of the reinforcement mesh

Start with the specific areas: edges of chimneys, ventilation, walls, drains these are vulnerable areas that need attention. The use of the 20 cm wide Roof Fleece is generally recommended for its ease of handling.

Cut and apply the mesh half on the roof and half on the object so that there is a minimum of 10 cm (4 inches) of mesh on each surface. Then apply a brush coat of Elastodeck above and through so that the coating comes into contact with the substrate.

For flat roofs which are leaking it will be necessary to use a roof fleece to reinforce the  higher film build required.

The roof fleece reinforcement mesh can be laid  flat to the remaining surface of roof. For large areas use the 120cm ( 47inch) wide roof fleece and cut it to the appropriate length depending on the situation. The fleece is perforated and extremely tough virtually impossible to tear.

Unroll the roof fleece on the flat roof surface and distribute it evenly. The connections between each mesh must have an overlap of at least 5 cm (2 inches). Then apply with a roller or brush a first coat of Elastodeck.

Allow 4 to 6 hours to dry before applying the second coat.

This first step takes the most time since you are handling the mesh and the paint at the same time. The final coat will be easier to apply.

The application

After the application of Elastodeck through the  Roof Fleece, the application of the second coat is recommended by airless spray. It allows rapid application of a thick film with a uniform surface. Elastodeck is a dry fall coating reducing overspray and cleaning.

If you decide to apply the second coat by roller, you will usually require more coats to achieve the recommended dry film thickness. The application of successive layers of Elastodeck reduces the risks of pinholes and ensures a continuous waterproof membrane.

Measure the wet thickness during application using a comb gauge, this will help you determine the film thickness required for the second coat. The final thickness is important and must be in accordance with our recommendations. Typically, 350 microns per coat, with two coats applied.

The applied coating weight is important for good waterproofing. Balconies typically require 1.5-2kg per square metre, roofs 1.5-3kg if a roof fleece is employed.

Advice

Elastodeck is available in a wide variety of colours from the RAL Classic and NCS ranges. Since it has excellent opacity, we recommend using a different colour per coat. This will help you to distinguish between layers and provide a visual aid to check two full coats have been applied.

Finishing options

Elastodeck is a waterproofing system that does not require any topcoat. But there are cases where it might prove useful or desirable such as:

  • in case of regular traffic on the roof, Hydrograff HP two pack polyurethane can be applied for additional protection against mechanical damage and abrasion.
  • If there is a risk of chemical contamination from chimneys on the roof or nearby, use Hydrograff HP Clear.

Your  previously coated flat roof or balcony is now protected against water infiltration and concrete decay.

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